Monday

An ode to C&H



Even now, when the days are lenient enough and the nights are warm enough to provide room for nostalgia, I sometimes remember the innocence of childhood. I still like to drug away the pointlesness and cynicism of youth by the LSD of those old memories. Even if for just a few moments, the relief is both palpable and welcome. Things did not make much sense then. There wasn't much motives to my actions and much regret at their results. The joy of doing something was neither clouded by the apprehension of failure, nor the expectation of success. Victory was only as sweet as failure was bitter. None of them managed to tax the tongue too much. Just left a barely discernible taste of abnormalcy.

That is why I like Calvin and Hobbes so much. The comic strip is a glowing testimony to those good old times. Calvin, with his tantrums and hyper-imagination and wierd philosophies (well, not so wierd really) and pointless activities. Hobbes with his warm friendliness and innocuous cynicism and maturity and immaturity. And between these two, a cosy little world which bred the most daring of imaginations, the most astounding of inventions, the most maddening of antics and yes, the most piercing of insights into the real world.

"The problem with people is that they don't look at the big picture. Eventually, we're each going to die, our species will go extinct, the sun will explode, and the universe will collapse. Existence isn't only temporary, it's pointless! We're all doomed, and worse, nothing matters!", said Calvin, and seldom have I heard someone else hit the nail on its head harder. To even think that our presence has a higher motive seems so self concieted at best, especially when you look at the tiny speck that our (humanity's) existence occupies in the grandest scheme of things. Human motivation, if driven by a distant goal of achieving immorality, will fall over its head. Rather, it should just be driven either by passion or a question of survival. Both of them are illogical and hence apt for a life which itself is illogical.

Throughout the strip, we can see a pessimism that is so necessary for leading a fulfilling life. Unless the realization that everything that we indulge in will come to a naught doesn't dawn upon us, we would always be crying at every failure and prolonging the celebrations at every small success. Unless we come to see the truth behind the phrase "Keep climbing", we probably will keep on screwing up our lives trying to climb the imaginary ladder where our position is decided in the eyes of the beholder. That is why I like it when Calvin says "I hate to think that all my current experiences will someday become stories with no point." or "The secret to happiness is short-term, stupid self-interest!" or "Reality continues to ruin my life.".

There is a subtle but a very important commentary on our misplaced priorities as adults in the whole strip. Phrases like "It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what's cool." or "Childhood is for spoiling adulthood." seem so much more relevant when you are in one of those blue moods (The only time, I think, when your thoughts are not clouded by unnecessary trifles). The strip is replete with strong social commentary throughout like "You know how people are. They only recognize greatness when some authority confirms it." or "Happiness is being famous for your financial ability to indulge in every kind of excess.". Its a reflection of Bill Watterson's mind, one of the few persons I really admire for his integrity and his love for his craft. In a world infested with people who are all too ready to sell their principles and morals at the slightest possible pretext, Bill Watterson chose to stand for the integrity of his first love. And it shows in the quality of the strip.

9 comments:

Anurup K.T said...

Easily one of the best, if not the best comic strip. Actually its more than just a comic strip. I think the beauty of it is more due to the fact that you cam either read it like a mere comic or as u age you begin to read more than what is stated, hence revisiting it and interpreting something new each time....


That reminds me may be I should go ahead and buy the full collection :), a very worthwhile investment it would be.

Ankit said...

@Anurup: I haven't read Peanuts a lot but I guess its the epitomy of a good strip. I read a bit of Krazy Kat and it was pretty darn good. Both of these were Watterson's inspirations so they have to be good... Anyways, I am myself thinking of buying the complete version. Too good to miss

Ankit said...

Meanwhile Garfield SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Doodler said...

have 2 books in my kitty.. :Dn never get bored rereading them
cnh is an eternal favourite..whatever time or mood one may be in.
hail watterson!

Amit said...

Just do not forget to share good things with your friends. If you want I can send you my address .....

Ankit said...

@Saras: There is this new complete C&H collection which is absolutely great. I mean, I have never seen a more beautifully packaged book. Thick laminated pages, big fonts, great drawing. You should see it...

@Kilas: haan haan bhejo... tumko photo bhej di jaayegi :)

TheExperimentalMom said...

gonna buy it first thing...it makes more sense than those 'self-help' n filosophical/psychological jargons u keep getting hit by every now n then everywhere.
loved this post, n specially the lines u picked from the colection. insightful!

Doodler said...

well then, its in my wishlist now..and hoping to lay my hands on it soon.

Ankit said...

@Sparsh: Oh you mean books like "7 habits..." and "how to make friends..." etc. I cannot tell you how much I hate that stuff... C&H is in an altogether different league...

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Like a particularly notorious child's tantrums, a mountaneous river's intemperance, a volcano's reckless carelessness and the dreamy eyes of a caged bird, imagination tries to fly unfettered. Hesitant as she takes those first steps, she sculpts those ambitious yet half baked earthen pots.