21. What does Hazlitt mean when he says, “I am then never less alone than when alone”?
a) He feels lonely when alone
b) He enjoys his own company and thoughts more than external conversation
c) He prefers being around people
d) He dislikes solitude
Answer: b) He enjoys his own company and thoughts more than external conversation
Explanation: Hazlitt suggests that solitude does not equate to loneliness; rather, it allows him to be fully engaged with his own thoughts and emotions. He believes that when he is alone, his mind is most active, recalling past memories and forming new ideas without distraction. Paradoxically, he feels more connected to himself and the world in solitude than when forced into superficial conversations with others, which often feel limiting or insincere.
22. Hazlitt dislikes engaging in conversation while traveling because:
a) It takes away from the natural experience
b) It slows down the journey
c) It leads to unnecessary arguments
d) It is a waste of time
Answer: a) It takes away from the natural experience
Explanation: For Hazlitt, travel is a deeply personal and sensory experience. He argues that conversation forces a traveler to focus on words rather than the beauty of nature, breaking the immersive spell of solitude. Instead of discussing what he sees, he prefers to absorb his surroundings in silence, allowing nature to communicate its essence without the need for verbal interpretation. Talking, he believes, diminishes the emotional and reflective depth of travel.
23. According to Hazlitt, what is the main disadvantage of traveling with others?
a) The need to explain one’s thoughts
b) The financial burden
c) The risk of getting lost
d) The lack of conversation
Answer: a) The need to explain one’s thoughts
Explanation: Hazlitt finds it frustrating to constantly articulate and justify his feelings or observations to a companion. He believes that some emotions and experiences are too personal to be translated into words, and attempting to do so diminishes their significance. When traveling alone, he is free to internalize his thoughts without interruption, but with a companion, he is forced into discussion, which disrupts his natural flow of contemplation.
24. What does Hazlitt consider the true pleasure of a journey?
a) Discovering new places
b) Being free from responsibilities and expectations
c) Meeting new people
d) Engaging in discussions
Answer: b) Being free from responsibilities and expectations
Explanation: Hazlitt sees travel as an escape from societal obligations and the constraints of daily life. He believes that a journey should be a liberating experience, where one can act on impulse without being bound by schedules or social etiquette. The joy of travel, for him, lies in its unpredictability and the opportunity to be guided solely by one’s own desires. He rejects the idea that travel should be structured or involve compromise with others.
25. Why does Hazlitt believe that even an interesting companion can be a burden during travel?
a) They may talk too much and interrupt his thoughts
b) They may slow down the journey
c) They may complain too much
d) They may get lost
Answer: a) They may talk too much and interrupt his thoughts
Explanation: Hazlitt acknowledges that some companions might be intelligent or engaging, but he still sees them as a distraction. Even the most interesting conversations require effort, taking attention away from the natural beauty of the journey. He believes that solitude allows for uninterrupted reflection, whereas a talkative companion forces one into unnecessary dialogue, preventing the mind from freely wandering and fully embracing the journey.
26. What does Hazlitt mean by “undisturbed silence of the heart”?
a) A peaceful state of mind when alone in nature
b) A forced silence while traveling with others
c) The moment before starting a journey
d) A feeling of loneliness
Answer: a) A peaceful state of mind when alone in nature
Explanation: Hazlitt values the silence that comes with being alone, describing it as a state of internal eloquence where true emotions and thoughts can surface. Unlike the forced silence of social awkwardness, this “undisturbed silence of the heart” is a deeply personal and meaningful experience. He sees it as the highest form of communication with nature, where words are unnecessary and the mind is free to reflect without external interruption.
27. What literary technique does Hazlitt frequently use in his essay?
a) Satire
b) Metaphors and comparisons
c) Scientific analysis
d) Historical references
Answer: b) Metaphors and comparisons
Explanation: Hazlitt frequently employs metaphors and imagery to illustrate his ideas about travel and solitude. He compares travel to a bird soaring freely, memories to “sunken wrack and sumless treasuries,” and conversations to entanglements that trap the mind. These literary devices enhance the emotional and philosophical depth of his essay, making abstract concepts more vivid and relatable. His use of metaphor aligns with the Romantic tradition, which valued expressive and imaginative language.
28. What does Hazlitt mean when he says, “I laugh, I run, I leap, I sing for joy”?
a) He enjoys the physical activity of traveling
b) He feels free and excited when alone in nature
c) He is describing a dream
d) He prefers to travel with musicians
Answer: b) He feels free and excited when alone in nature
Explanation: Hazlitt expresses his exhilaration when traveling alone in nature. He feels unburdened by social obligations and can enjoy the landscape with childlike enthusiasm. The phrase reflects his belief that solitude enhances one’s connection to the environment, allowing emotions to flow freely without restraint. In contrast, traveling with others might require maintaining composure, limiting the spontaneous expressions of joy that nature inspires in him.
29. Why does Hazlitt believe talking about nature ruins the experience?
a) Words fail to capture the beauty of nature
b) Conversations are more enjoyable indoors
c) He does not like discussing nature
d) People do not understand nature
Answer: a) Words fail to capture the beauty of nature
Explanation: Hazlitt argues that describing nature through words diminishes its impact. He believes that nature should be experienced directly, not analyzed or discussed intellectually. Words, no matter how poetic, can never fully encapsulate the depth and richness of the natural world. Engaging in conversation about it distracts from the personal, unfiltered emotional response that solitude allows, making the experience feel less authentic and immersive.
30. What is Hazlitt’s view on memories from past travels?
a) They fade over time
b) They are more enjoyable in solitude
c) They are unnecessary
d) They should always be written down
Answer: b) They are more enjoyable in solitude
Explanation: Hazlitt values the personal nature of memories, believing that they gain emotional significance when reflected upon in solitude. He argues that sharing memories with others can sometimes diminish their personal meaning, as external interpretations might alter or lessen their impact. Remembering past journeys alone allows one to fully reconnect with the emotions and sensations of the experience, reinforcing the importance of personal reflection in travel.
