Gutenberg Articles

Appearance

Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Hunting Sketches, by Anthony Trollope

THE MAN WHO HUNTS AND DOESN'T LIKE IT.

It seems to be odd, at first sight, that there should be any such men
as these; but their name and number is legion. If we were to deduct
from the hunting-crowd farmers, and others who hunt because hunting is
brought to their door, of the remainder we should find that the "men
who don't like it" have the preponderance. It is pretty much the same,
I think, with all amusements. How many men go to balls, to races, to the
theatre, how many women to concerts and races, simply because it is the
thing to do? They have perhaps, a vague idea that they may ultimately
find some joy in the pastime; but, though they do the thing constantly,
they never like it. Of all such men, the hunting men are perhaps the
most to be pitied.

They are easily recognized by any one who cares to scrutinize the men
around him in the hunting field. It is not to be supposed that all
those who, in common parlance, do not ride, are to be included among
the number of hunting men who don't like it. Many a man who sticks
constantly to the roads and lines of gates, who, from principle, never
looks at a fence, is much attached to hunting. Some of those who have
borne great names as Nimrods in our hunting annals would as life have
led a forlorn-hope as put a horse at a flight of hurdles. But they,
too, are known; and though the nature of their delight is a mystery to
straight-going men, it is manifest enough, that they do like it. Their
theory of hunting is at any rate plain. They have an acknowledged
system, and know what they are doing. But the men who don't like it,
have no system, and never know distinctly what is their own aim.
During some portion of their career they commonly try to ride hard,
and sometimes for a while they will succeed. In short spurts, while the
cherry-brandy prevails, they often have small successes; but even with
the assistance of a spur in the head they never like it.

Explanation ​

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Hunting Sketches by Anthony Trollope ​

Context of the Source ​

Anthony Trollope (1815–1882) was a prolific Victorian novelist best known for his social satires, particularly the Chronicles of Barsetshire and political novels like The Way We Live Now. Hunting Sketches (1865) is a collection of essays and short pieces centered on fox hunting—a popular pastime among the British gentry and upper-middle class in the 19th century. While Trollope was an avid hunter himself, his observations in this work blend humor, social commentary, and psychological insight, often exposing the absurdities and contradictions of human behavior.

This excerpt, "The Man Who Hunts and Doesn’t Like It," examines a peculiar social phenomenon: individuals who participate in hunting (or other fashionable amusements) not out of genuine enjoyment but because of social pressure, habit, or a vague hope that they might eventually derive pleasure from it. Trollope’s tone is wry and observational, blending irony with a keen understanding of human nature.

Themes in the Excerpt ​

  1. Social Conformity and the Performance of Enjoyment

    • Trollope highlights how many people engage in activities—not because they enjoy them, but because they are expected to. Hunting, like balls, races, and theater, is a social ritual, and participation signals status, belonging, or adherence to class norms.
    • The passage suggests that a significant portion of hunters (and, by extension, participants in any fashionable pastime) are merely "going through the motions," lacking true passion.

  2. The Illusion of Purpose

    • The "men who don’t like it" have no clear system or goal in hunting. Unlike skilled hunters who follow a deliberate approach (even if it avoids jumps or risks), these men lack conviction. Their participation is aimless, driven by external expectations rather than personal desire.
    • This reflects a broader Victorian anxiety about authenticity—many people in polite society were trapped in roles they didn’t truly want.

  3. Pity for the Half-Hearted

    • Trollope expresses sympathy for these hunters, arguing that they are more pitiable than those who openly dislike an activity and avoid it. Their misery is compounded by their persistence—they keep trying (and failing) to enjoy something that brings them no satisfaction.
    • The reference to "cherry-brandy" (a strong, sweet liqueur often consumed for courage) suggests that some rely on artificial stimulants (alcohol, peer pressure) to fake enthusiasm, only to find it unsustainable.

  4. Class and Masculinity in Hunting Culture

    • Hunting was a masculine, aristocratic pursuit, and Trollope subtly critiques the pressure on men to conform to this ideal. The "great names as Nimrods" (a biblical reference to a mighty hunter) contrasts with the inept, reluctant hunters, exposing the gap between reputation and reality.
    • The mention of farmers and others who hunt "because hunting is brought to their door" implies that even those outside the elite might feel compelled to participate when it’s locally dominant.

Literary Devices and Stylistic Features ​

  1. Irony and Understatement

    • Trollope’s opening line—"It seems to be odd, at first sight, that there should be any such men as these"—is ironic. He presents their existence as surprising, but the rest of the passage reveals that they are, in fact, legion. This undercuts the initial assumption that hunting is universally enjoyed.
    • The phrase "their name and number is legion" (a biblical allusion to demonic possession in Mark 5:9) humorously exaggerates their prevalence while implying that their behavior is almost demonically compulsive.

  2. Generalization and Social Satire

    • Trollope broadens his observation beyond hunting to all "amusements," suggesting that this phenomenon is widespread. The examples of balls, races, and theater reinforce the idea that Victorian society was full of people performing enjoyment.
    • The line "How many men go to balls, to races, to the theatre, how many women to concerts and races, simply because it is the thing to do?" is a sharp critique of the performative nature of leisure in polite society.

  3. Contrast and Characterization

    • Trollope distinguishes between:
      • True hunters (who may avoid jumps but have a clear "system" and genuine passion).
      • Reluctant hunters (who lack method, ride poorly, and only succeed in "short spurts" fueled by alcohol or peer pressure).
    • The contrast highlights the absurdity of the latter group—they mimic the trappings of hunting without the substance.

  4. Humorous Imagery and Wordplay

    • The phrase "a spur in the head" (likely a play on "spirits," meaning alcohol) humorously suggests that their brief successes are chemically induced rather than skill-based.
    • The comparison of reluctant hunters to a "forlorn-hope" (a doomed military unit sent on a suicidal mission) is darkly comic—they’d rather face certain death than attempt a hurdle, emphasizing their lack of genuine commitment.

  5. Psychological Insight

    • Trollope delves into the mindset of these men, noting that they "have a vague idea that they may ultimately find some joy" but never do. This captures the human tendency to persist in futile habits out of hope or inertia.
    • The observation that they "never know distinctly what is their own aim" suggests an existential emptiness—they are adrift in their own activities.

Significance of the Passage ​

  1. Critique of Victorian Social Rituals

    • Trollope exposes the hollowness of many upper-class pastimes. Hunting, in particular, was a symbol of masculinity, wealth, and social standing, but his essay reveals that many participants were merely playing a part.
    • This aligns with broader Victorian concerns about authenticity versus performance, a theme also explored in works like Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest.

  2. Human Nature and Self-Deception

    • The passage is a study in cognitive dissonance—people convincing themselves that they enjoy something they don’t, simply because they should. This remains relevant today in discussions of social media, consumerism, and the pressure to curate a "perfect" life.

  3. Trollope’s Observational Style

    • Unlike his novels, which often focus on dramatic plots, Hunting Sketches showcases Trollope’s talent for sharp, anecdotal social commentary. His ability to blend humor with psychological depth makes the essay both entertaining and thought-provoking.

  4. Class and the Performance of Leisure

    • The excerpt subtly critiques the idea that leisure is always voluntary. For many, participation in hunting (or other elite activities) was a social obligation, revealing how class structures dictate even personal enjoyment.

Close Reading of Key Lines ​

  1. "If we were to deduct from the hunting-crowd farmers, and others who hunt because hunting is brought to their door..."

    • Trollope immediately excludes those who hunt out of necessity or proximity, focusing on the voluntary participants. This sets up his argument that many hunt by choice yet still dislike it.

  2. "They have perhaps, a vague idea that they may ultimately find some joy in the pastime; but, though they do the thing constantly, they never like it."

    • This captures the tragicomedy of their situation—they keep trying, hoping for a breakthrough that never comes. The repetition of "never like it" emphasizes the futility.

  3. "But the men who don't like it, have no system, and never know distinctly what is their own aim."

    • The lack of a "system" suggests not just poor skill but a lack of identity. Unlike dedicated hunters (who may avoid jumps but have a philosophy), these men are rudderless, their actions dictated by external forces.

  4. "In short spurts, while the cherry-brandy prevails, they often have small successes..."

    • The "cherry-brandy" symbolizes artificial courage—their brief triumphs are not earned but chemically or socially induced. The word "spurts" implies fleeting, unsustainable energy.

  5. "Of all such men, the hunting men are perhaps the most to be pitied."

    • Trollope’s conclusion is both humorous and poignant. Unlike those who dislike balls or theater but can easily avoid them, hunters endure physical danger, exhaustion, and social scrutiny, making their misery more acute.

Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters ​

Trollope’s excerpt is a masterclass in social observation, blending wit, irony, and psychological insight to expose the absurdities of human behavior. By focusing on the "man who hunts and doesn’t like it," he reveals broader truths about conformity, self-deception, and the performative nature of leisure in a status-conscious society. The passage remains relevant as a commentary on how people often engage in activities—not for joy, but for validation, habit, or the fear of missing out. Trollope’s light touch belies a sharp critique, making this both a humorous sketch and a timeless reflection on the human condition.