Introduction:
E.M. Forster writes about the virtue needed most in the post-war world. All the
people talk of re-building of civilization but for that, a particular state of mind is
required.
Reconstruction:
People talk of rebuilding the world or reconstructing the civilization after the war.
Such a task is not possible unless there is right attitude towards it. To rebuild the
civilization, Forster says, “Architects, contractors, international commissioners,
marketing boards, broadcasting corporations will never, by themselves, build a
new world. They must be inspired by the proper spirit…”. A beautiful London
cannot be built unless the residents want it, or have the right attitude.
Love:
What is the most important virtue needed in a post-war world? Most people would
say ‘Love’. Forster does not agree with it and says’ “Love is a great force in
private life but love in public affairs does not work…” The Christian Civilizations
during the Middle Ages and the French Revolutionists tried it but failed. Nations
and peoples should love one another is an absurd and dangerous idea. ‘The fact
is we can love only what we know personally’. Forster disagrees to this view. He
says that love is a great force in private life. but in public affairs, it does not work.
It has been tried throughout history but it always failed. The idea that nations,
different business concerns and sects should love one another is absurd and
dangerous. The fact is that we can only love those whom we know personally.
According to Forster, in public affairs we need tolerance.
Tolerance:
Forster says, “Tolerance is a very dull virtue. It is boring. Unlike love, it has
always had a bad press. It is negative. It merely means putting up with people,
being able to stand things….”
But, ‘Tolerance’ is the virtue we need today. That is the right attitude needed to
rebuild the post-war world. As races and people there are so many things we do
not like in each other. We have to put up with these. We have to tolerate. It merely
means putting up with the people who are different from us.
This is the state of mind, which we should look for. This is the only force, which
will enable different races and classes and interests to settle together to the work
of reconstruction.
Two solutions:
In this over-crowded world the people are tumbling over each other. Most of
these people don’t know each other. So, the ‘Love’ and ‘Tolerance’ modes will not
work in these circumstances. For that, the author gives two solutions, “One of
them is Nazi solution. If you don’t like people, kill them, banish them, segregate
them. If you don’t like people, put up with them as well as you can. Don’t try to
love them. But, try to tolerate them….”
“Tolerance is not the same as weakness”.
For him tolerance is a positive value. If means simply putting up with people.
Thus it comes as a bravery rather than weakness because putting up with people
means not surrendering to them, but getting control of oneself which is a greater
struggle. This is the main theme Forster builds up and asserts that reconstruction
is possible only through tolerance.
Need of tolerance:
He stresses the importance of tolerance again and again. He says, “Tolerance is
wanted in the queue…it is wanted at the telephone, it is wanted in the street, in
the office, at the factory, and it is wanted above all between classes, races, and
nations….”
Great persons:
He names few great persons who taught the importance of tolerance. They are
Emperor Asoka from India, Erasmus from Holland, Montaigne from France, John
Locke from England, Lowes Dickinson writer of A Modern Symposium, etc..
Conclusion:
He concludes this essay by saying, “Tolerance is not the same as weakness.
Putting up with people does not mean giving in to them. Except the Lord build the
house they labour in vain who build it. Perhaps when the house is completed,
love will enter in and the greatest force in our private lives will also rule in
public”.