The first time I read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, it was out of my passion for anything literary; but the second time was simply out of mischief. And I truly enjoyed the latter mainly because of this introductory quote: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife". My perspectives about the quote decades ago is still valid till today, irrespective of the fact that the book was first published in 1813.
In today's context, "single man" is an endangered specie while "single man" with ‘good fortune’ is almost extinct. The predatory instinct of the woman coupled with the fact that the population of the two genders (knowing there are now more than two) is lopsided in favour of women, are major contributors to the alarming rate at which the planet is running out of the "single man"specie"
To further explore this social phenomenon, we must take a dispassionate look at the causes and effects- which are of course well known to anyone above 18 years Unlike global warming, it is quite difficult to be objective where emotion is in constant collusion with logic. Rather, let’s take a look at world events in the last three weeks.
Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood baron was the first hit in a creepy list of what is fast becoming a hall of infamous sexual harassment. The initial reaction when the allegation broke out was that, sexual harassment should not be a surprise in an industry that grew out of the ashes of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sexual activities are rife in the entertainment industry. That notwithstanding, the number of ladies that have fingered (no pun intended) Harvey in these allegation would, if asked to form a line, reach all the way to Congress.
If the Hollywood allegations of sexual harassment can be excused as occupational hazards, same cannot be said however,of the sexual impropriety in the hollow chambers of the Congress who ideally should be the flag bearers of all that defines decency. Across the aisle and in a bipartisan manner, congress men are either busy denying allegations or apologising for their sexual misconduct as scandal after scandal continues to overshadow legislative activities.
The fear here is that if this trend continues, there will be more revelations that may well topple the congress from the place of honour it occupies as an upholder of all that we hold dear and true. At this rate,the congress may soon run out of men of integrity, thereby paralyzing the biggest and most effective man made political system in the world. The comforting part of the story, as I reassured my American friends is that this cannot happen at home . Our women are more diplomatic and most of the times, our discerning men ‘with good fortune’ in power are well able to tell their yes from their no.
Mugabe? Remember we have been chronicling world events in the last recent weeks. He is a man with "good fortune" that was "graciously" brought down by a the help of a wife.
No comments:
Post a Comment