This term is a progeny of the new modern world, fuming with the concepts of globalization, information technology and so on. One of the root causes of our tragedy today is that we generally fail and forget ‘to feel”. And those who ‘feel’, people call them into the category called ‘emotional fools’.
One reliable book of Environmental Science reveals the fact that the longevity of human life will go to 120 years but he will grow lesser and lesser emotional. In short, he will be more mechanical. We all need to pay serious attention to this.
In my childhood, one day I saw my little childish efforts in painting reflected on some papers, were thrown in the waste-basket. I did not hesitate to take them out since I was emotionally entangled with them in my own innocent way. Like other girl children, my doll, her clothes and ornaments were sacred for me. Similarly, my books are next only to my heart. Stevenson calls books ‘bloodless substitutes’ in one of his essays. But for me they are superior to living beings. Many times I have derived the much needed compose and consolation in despair when no living person came to my help. Generally I don’t give my books to anyone but if someone borrows one, I am gripped by strange anxiety till I get it back. Recently, a friend of mine told me about one girl who was in love with someone but married another boy. I just inquired and her answer was noteworthy. I was told that the girl did not change her decision because she did not love him or she was afraid of the danger forecast by some astrologer regarding the prospects of their marriage. The girl said that she was practical and not an emotional fool and so she preferred more qualified, handsome and rich boy.
After all, life cannot be lived on mere love, she added further. I just wondered about the boy. If he is also practical, then OK and if not then?! Today, relations which are nothing without emotions are tested in terms of them being practical. Those who refuse to do so are teased as ‘emotional fools’. But these emotional fools are quite crucial as the world is indebted to them. Methinks no fine art is possible without them.
The great romantic poet Wordsworth defines poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of strong feelings recollected in tranquility.” Then we can say that the poets are also emotional fools. If they were not so, the world would have remained unknown to the beautiful art of poetry.
The actor or actress will fail badly if he or she does not enter the character being enacted. It is not the colors which make any painting lifelike but the feelings of the painter dissolved in these colors. A singer cannot sing effortlessly if he or she does not have the emotional involvement.
That’s why perhaps, they are first explained the situation regarding the song being picturised. We know many writers whose pen could not enthrall the readers for long because they did not live their subject.
The emotional fools were the creators of the world history and inspiration for revolution. Let’s see our freedom movement. Our freedom fighters sacrificed everything. They saw only one star without caring for the thorns and fireballs under their feet. Now imagine if they were practical………..
Some days before I overheard on television the speech of one eminent business magnet who was advising the youngsters to be practical in order to succeed in trade. I thought, what made Tata to turn to fine arts and social sciences? Yes, there is of course something beyond and above the material.
I am worried for the decrease in the population of emotional fools because this, I afraid, may hasten the end of the world. I call them the saviours of the world. It is because of them this world has survived and will survive. We have retained atleast little moisture in our hearts. People say that there should be a balance between being emotional and practical. But I will always wish the ratio should be 60:40 respectively. What about you?
