Selected by Peter Hinchliffe for “Open Writing”
Written by John Worthington Feather
The critic analyses life, the romantic adorns it, the cynic sneers at it; and over the past few decades cynicism has spread through English life like a cancer.
Observe a commentator on television and see his curled lip. Read the sourness of reviewers in the press; see how they turn commentary into mockery. Is it any wonder that Romanticism is not in favour among the chattering pundits of the literary world? That the Romantic imagination has been smothered by “factual reality”? To write a Romantic novel or poem with a happy theme or ending is to have it killed stone dead by reviewers. Cynicism has turned my generation into grumpy old men and women who see all the wrongs of life and nothing right!
But, as always, the pendulum is swinging back. Romanticism is slowly coming back into favour. The former Poet Laureate is unashamedly Romantic – and he uses traditional verse forms more often than not. Romanticism takes us out of ourselves and we need the exercise of the imagination to project us beyond the immediate; to open new dimensions in life; to take us beyond this realism into another unknown one; to take us into the exhilarating world of the Romantic.
I sense a brighter horizon is dawning in the media and literature; hence the number of nineteenth century Romantic novels being serialised on the television. Perhaps one day we’ll have twenty first century Romantic novels being shown there, instead of the current dead diet of soaps, crime, sex and violence which is spooned to us.
For too long cynics have had their way and reduced us to a chronic state of depression in which even the comfort of traditional religion is passed over. Our churches have become the casualties of the cynics, who see only the negative side of religion. They ignore the work done for the marginalised and deprived by church people in the communities they serve and in the world beyond.
Indeed, the cynics have coined that awful term “do-gooder” as a term of abuse for people who are doing good; as if doing good is something to be ashamed of. And why? Simply because the cynic himself is quite incapable of doing good in the world. He observes all the ills of society, sneers – then does nothing.
This entry was posted by peter hinchliffe on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 12:00 am and is filed under Open Writing.
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Peter, you may not be aware that the ABC here in Australia shows a number of TV programs produced by or for the BBC and independent channels such as ITV. As a more or less consistent viewer of such programs I’ve noticed of late that cop shows have become much darker, more violent and gruesome than heretofore. ‘Silent Witness’, and ‘The Bill’ are two series that spring to mind. Indeed, the most recent showing of ‘Silent Witness’ was the most gruesome I think I have ever seen. But I’m not sure a return to romanticism (aka known as escapism) is a good alternative. I’d prefer to see positive reality.
I think you’re right, Alan. Most, no that’s unfair, an increasing number perhaps, of television shows dealing with the darker side of human nature, have plots that rely more and more on graphic violence and or sex. And that’s probably because to some extent we’re become desensitised to the violence we read about or see on television. I suspect violence is addictive.
I guess it will come to a stage where there’ll be some sort of viewer backlash and
we’ll swing the other way. I hope so. Problem is that the reason the producers continue to develop these themes is that they rate so well. It’s what people want. An interesting insight into the community psyche.
Regarding cynicism: I don’t think that being a cynic precludes an appreciation of life or an awareness of the absolute magic that we see every day but sometimes overlook. It’s a beautiful, exciting and wondrous world in which we live.
I suppose my writing at times might be viewed as cynicism. And yes, I quite often take a not so gentle swipe at topics such as religion. So regular readers would probably realise that I have no belief system regarding mainstream religion.
But just because one or two cynics might deride, for example, Christianity, that doesn’t alter the fact that any number of men and women have done beautiful and wonderful things in the name of their God. As others have done despicable things in the name of theirs.
Regardless of what I or any other cynic might say, religion has for centuries provided comfort, solace and respite for those at some sort of emotional crossroad.
And no cynic, will change that.
I really hate to disagree with Ed Emeritus aka AW, but I’m all for bringing back romanticism. Yes! bring it back – or at least give we romantics a channel for such stuff.
TV – as home entertainment is here – we must live with it. Look at all those wonderful books that could be adapted. An example was Anne Of Green Gables in the 70s, starring Megan Fellowes and the delightful, late, Colleen Dewhurst. A Canadian (Olympic Hockey Champs, Yay!) series This series took me back to my childhood, when Anne was our daily story – which we kids read aloud, to our peers. So much was this imbued into me that I took a trip to Prince Edward Island, just to see the settings of the novel.
I am tired of dark. I am sick of cynicism. I now have a ready supply of Poirot (David Suchet) DVDs on had to replace the violent stuff we’re force fed. At least the murders in Poirot are more tasteful.
Yup! bring back romance and fun. al
Like many of you, I too am less pleased with the TV fare we get nowadays and yes, violence and sex seem to be there everywhere. But I am not sure this is what ‘they’ want to feed us rather than ‘we’ demand it. No modern films seem to be made without blowing up half the set, and then even Buchan’s 39 Steps from the TV recently, was turned into a heavy romance. Not how I remembered it. It was poorly done.
As for cynicism, I have always preferred the lesser choice of being sceptical, when needed. Most public commentators nowadays seem to be more into propaganda, plus agenda and thought controls, than they are into good, healthy criticism. ‘Deniers’ and ‘unpatriotic’ come to mind.
As you say, “The Bill” is not the show it used to be, and thank goodness for the old style crime investigation such as Poirot and the gentle murders in the Midsomer area. Though Heaven only knows why the whole area has not been completely depopulated!
Methinks other types of violence have infiltrated documentaries. If an otherwise promising historical, anthropological or archaeological doc. turns out to be by National Geographic or sometimes even the History Channel, I automatically switch off.
Enforced repetition, over and over again, maybe for folk who need to be told the same thing eight times. Violent outbursts of “music” over and over again, to wake us up. Intrusive visual effects, often little to do with the subject matter.
I’m another that likes my entertainment with an op[timistic twist, there’s enough violence in real life. That’s why my mystery space deals with puzzles and cons rather than killings, though i wonder if readers would like more gore?
Well, I am glad to discover that I am not the only one utterly bored with TV. I am so tired of her taking off his jacket then she taking off his shirt and he her blouse, andshe his vest anf he her bra—and people bursting in with ‘FREEZE POLICE”…and ‘Talent’ shows and ghastly ‘Reality Shows’ and boring Quiz shows, and, and, and—does this make me a cynic I wonderI have acruired off the back of a truck, DVDs of series of…A touch of Frost…As Time Goes By…’Allo. ‘Allo…Sharpe…North and South…and about140 episodes of Midsomer murders…and Are you being served…Poirot… and films like Casablanca…In which we serve…The Dam Busters…The longest day…Yes Minister—-and more of which I shuffle about. Nostalgia maybe for my octogenarian tastes of yore.
Also I can not understand the American actors anymore who mumble without moving their lips.
Ah shut up, John, you grumpy old man!