Character Less

This writing is entirely inspired by the latest hindi movie ‘PINK’. This movie has talked about a very much difficult, sensitive and complex topic which will force you to think several times about the situation or more specifically your stand in the society. I loved two dialogues which must be mentioned, ‘you’re a woman… of questionable character’ and ‘No-my honour, NO means NO, it’s not a word, it explains everything ….doesn’t matter who tells you NO, she can be an acquaintance or friend or prostitute or even your wife, NO say it all’. This movie made me rethink about one single word, ‘character’ and today’s writing is all about it.

 If you see English dictionary, word ‘Character’ as a noun has very simple definitions such as, ‘the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual or  the quality of being individual in an interesting or unusual way indicating the strength and originality or a person’s good reputation’. If we see it scientifically, it means physical or chemical properties of a substance. In this context I would like to comment that only for humans word ‘character’ is related to his/her reputation could be good/bad. However for any substance it would only define its unique nature. In case of human, what can be the definition of characterless then! Someone who deviates from social norms like drinking alcohol/smoking in public or having multiple relationship at the same time or various phases of life (leading to polygamy nature). This statement becomes very much judgmental when we change the gender here or it becomes meaningless for animals. Animals do have society but their norms in society is different that’s why the word ‘characterless’ do not exist there! We can present it differently also like who cannot be predicted from its previous actions, would be marked as such. As an example, when most corrupted person act honest (commonly known as biral bole mach khabo na) or a silent ordinary human being turn to rebellious (commonly known as bhuter mukhe ramnam). In both cases the unique property has been changed or destroyed, so the known characteristics are not applicable anymore!

Finally I would like to say that ‘characterless’ is just a comment, made by the humans or the society made by them. When you use this comment, please use it carefully. May be by commenting, you are creating a unique characteristics of yours. If you ask me, I would say, it’s very much complicated word. Proving a human being characterless is scientifically very difficult. However socially, it might show the depth and broadening of your mind which can be your character!