An ounce of action is worth a tonne of thought
That’s the essential message from Louis Bromfield, the author of the book I’ve recently finished reading, “The Rains Came” (1937). It was made into a movie and is billed as a sweeping romance, but I actually found it very existential in it’s nature, rather than romantic. There is lust and romantic attachment and even love, but it’s not a love story, that’s for sure. Half the cast dies!
It’s examination of the twists and turns of thought and the negativity and feeling of being lost in a ocean of misery without recourse is really quite profound. The main male character, Tom Ransome, is depressed, drinking secretly and has run away from the society that bred him, England. The various castes and races of Indians are sympathetically portrayed, but Hinduism, with it’s preponderance towards contemplation and inaction does not get off lightly. In fact, there seems almost to be a campaign to chuck out the terrifying weight of the past and surge forth into a new, modern India. Metaphorically, the Sikh Colonel Moti brings the pestilence uder control by setting fire to the whole city, leaving only the western-designed buildings standing.
The happiest people in the novel are the missionaries, the Smileys and Aunt Phoebe. They are too busy to be sad, too occupied to contemplate. The unhappiest and most wanton are Ransome and Lord and Lady Heston, the products of the decadent European society who have no need to work and no motivation to do anything other than drink, take drugs, fuck and then repent. (Hmm…I think I may have met those folk somewhere…)
Transformation comes in the form of human suffering, caring for those in need and selflessness. Happiness in achieved when navel-gazing stops. This message resonates strongly with me because it’s true. The best cure for sadness is to keep busy. Not only does achievement, however modest, bolster self-esteemm but business keeps the mind in check and the body strong. It’s a very Protestant message, but it holds some truth.
The book is available for reading online in the Internet Archive at: http://www.archive.org/details/rainscameanovelo009281mbp