BEAU TIBBS AT HOME - Oliver Goldsmith
“Beau Tibbs at Home” was written by Oliver Goldsmith. He is an Irish novelist who was born on 1728 and died on 1774. He is a great essayist, poet, dramatist and novelist. Some of his major works are “The Vicar of Wakefield”, “The Deserted Village”, “She Stoops to Conquer”, “Citizen of the World”.
This essay “Beau Tibbs at Home” was taken from the prose “The Citizen of the World” and was published in 1760. It was published as a series of letters. Goldsmith has created many characters impressive characters through this prose. Beau Tibbs is one such character. All this letters is from the point of view of a Chinese Traveller named Lein Chi Altangi. The author satirizes the manners and the customs of the English Society through this essay.
The Chinese Traveller loves jovial company. While he was in the crowd his mind is away from duty and he becomes one among the crowd. He shares jokes and shouts along with the crowd. While the author was in the crowd his mind used to suck below its standard, but that moment will help his mind to make ready itself for great fights.
Once the Chinese Traveller and his friend went for a walk in a nearby public park. Their they spent their time talking about the people around them. Suddenly the Traveller’s friend caught him by the elbow and tried to move away from the park. From his expression the Traveller found out that he is trying to escape from somebody. Though the Traveller’s friend made his utmost effort to avoid that person, they met that person face to face within few moments.
The follower, who was Mr. Beau Tibbs approached them with a friendly gesture. He called the traveller’s friend as “My dear Drybone”. The Chinese Traveller observed that Tibbs wore his hat in a peculiar way and he looked pale and thin. He also wore a black ribbon to show off himself. He also had a sword with black handle. His coat was dirty and he wore silk stockings which has become yellowish due to over use.
Mr. Beau Tibbs started boasting about himself. He said that he know lot of great people and nobles. He added that he knows Lord Mudler and dinning with Duchess’ and Lords’ is a common thing for him. And having two dinner in a day has became a part of his life. He also boasted that women themselves will come in search for him. After talking so proudly about himself, he asked the Traveller’s friend to lend him half-a-crown, which shows his real financial status. He is so poor in reality but he seems to show off that he is a very rich person.
Once Beau Tibbs left, the Traveller’s friend said few things about him. He said that though Tibbs seem to enjoy life in his youth and manage to get money by some means, he will suffer a lot in his old age. Everyone around him knows about his poverty and still he tries to show off himself as rich. The Chinese Traveller met Beau Tibbs again in the park and Tibbs approached him with a friendly gesture. Tibbs dress was as usual shabby and dirty. The Traveller was not so happy on meeting Tibbs.
Tibbs smiled at and saluted few people in the park. He even took note of few people he saw in the park. But still he complained to the Traveller that the park was so empty that day and there were only very few people. He even said that the Chinese Traveller seemed to be a very serious person and hence he invited him to his house, so that the Traveller can meet his family members and have a happy time with them.
Mr. Beau Tibbs started telling about his family members. He said that his wife was so elegant and she was so delicate like a countess. He said about his daughter, named Carolina Wilhelma Amelia Tibbs, who was just 6 years old. He added that he is learning Greek so that he can train her daughter.
Beau Tibbs took the Traveller to his house. They passed through many dark pavements and bent roads. Beau Tibbs chose those dark pavements so that he can escape from the eyes of the few people. At last they reached a house which was in a very gloomy condition. They ascended a damaged staircase and reached almost the top of the building, just below the chimney. Mr. Tibbs said that he chose that kind of house so that he can enjoy the view of the whole countryside through the window.
The door of the house was opened by a very old lady. On asking about Mrs. Tibbs she replied that she was busy in washing the two sets of cloths of Tibbs by getting a loan of the tub, from the next house. Mr. Tibbs shouted at her and asked her to go and call Mrs. Tibbs immediately. Once she left Mr. Tibbs said that he got the old lady from a lord and though the lord respects people a lot, the lady doesn’t seem to respect anyone and she had never got used to the high life of them.
The Chinese Traveller examined the house and found that the room was in a very poor condition. The chairs there were broken and the wooden cupboard in a corner was in a damaged condition. There were few invaluable painting in the walls and Tibbs said that those paintings were done by him and he will not part with it for any cost.
Mrs. Tibbs arrived and asked excuse for being late and added that since she was busy the whole night with the countess she could not manage the time in the morning. Mr. Tibbs asked to make the dinner simple, but she seemed to take much care about it and planned for a rich dinner with meat and wine. From their speech, the Traveller understood that their activity can amuse him for sometime but not his appetite. So the Traveller left the house telling that he has an appointment with another person. Even at the last moment Mrs. Tibbs said that the dinner will be ready if he waits for 2 hours.
Thus this essay reveals Oliver Goldsmith’s extraordinary power of writing, with boldness and originality of thinking. His minute observations on man and human nature are phenomenal. His characterization of Beau Tibbs is highly impressive and mixed with satire, mild humour and graceful charm.
---HAPPY LEARNING----
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