In On Umbrella Morals, what does A.G. Gardiner use the example of the umbrella to illustrate?

Correct option is C

Explanation:

In On Umbrella Morals, A.G. Gardiner uses the example of the umbrella to highlight the contradictions in moral behavior. He discusses how people often act morally in certain situations but fail to apply the same standards consistently. Specifically, Gardiner refers to a scenario where someone borrows an umbrella with every intention of returning it but keeps it, justifying their actions with excuses. This illustrates how individuals often make moral compromises based on convenience or personal interest, exposing the moral inconsistency in human behavior.

Gardiner’s broader argument is that people's ethics are not as straightforward as they might claim; moral decisions are often clouded by self-interest, and people selectively apply their values depending on the situation. Through the example of the umbrella, Gardiner critiques society's moral double standards and calls for introspection on personal integrity.
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Information Booster:

A.G. Gardiner (1865–1946) was an English journalist and essayist known for his sharp wit and insightful commentary on social and moral issues.

He often used everyday situations and objects, like the umbrella, to illustrate broader philosophical and ethical dilemmas.

• His essays were characterized by their humor, simplicity, and clarity, often mixing personal observation with moral reflection.
  
• On Umbrella Morals is part of his larger collection of essays in which he critiques various aspects of social behavior and human nature. Gardiner was particularly interested in the inconsistencies in people's moral behavior and the contradictions that exist in society’s values.
  
• The essay discusses the seemingly trivial act of borrowing an umbrella and failing to return it, using it as a metaphor for moral lapses that people justify in everyday life.
• Gardiner highlights how individuals often rationalize unethical actions, convincing themselves that their behavior is excusable or harmless.
• This act of dishonesty, however minor, symbolizes a larger lack of moral consistency that Gardiner observes in society.
  
• Gardiner draws attention to the way people pick and choose which moral values to uphold depending on what suits them at the moment. He uses this example to argue that true morality requires a more consistent and principled approach to both big and small issues.
  
• On Umbrella Morals falls under the genre of personal essays, a popular form of writing during the early 20th century.
• Essays like this focus on human behavior, ethics, and social criticism, often delivered in a conversational tone.
  
• The central theme of the essay is the contradiction between what people say and what they do, especially regarding moral behavior.
• Gardiner critiques the selective morality that people often display in their day-to-day lives.