Keeping Up Appearances

                   Deconstructing the myths behind the images                   

The seven deadly sins have indeed found fertile ground to display their inherent qualities among the wannabes in Colombo. Social media (of which Facebook is now considered to be yesterday’s news) if full of vile photographs of a grimacing brigade of desperate housewives broadcasting their enjoyment to all and sundry. Many of these women who have clawed themselves out of the gutter by marrying men who have made fortunes mostly out of        ill-gotten gains, are walking a tightrope trying to prove that the world is still their oyster. A continuous series of snapshots made by mobile phones assist in keeping the myths of boundless funds afloat, increasing the visible evidence that desperate times call for desperate measures. I am not on Instagram, which by all accounts is overloaded with these vulgar displays of false joy and dire vulgarity. However, these social media apps are keeping the conversations alive and cracking among those of us who are appalled and embarrassed at the reality of these, “let them eat cake,” moments that are being captured for eternity.

If they don’t make you puke instantly, take some time and look at them properly. Much like children who are taught to identify colours when they are at nursery, adults like us should be able to see the glaring evidence of Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath and Sloth framed within each one of these photographs. The obvious retort which I have heard being broadcast to ad nauseum is, “Oh they are jealous of our wealth,” or “they are envious of my lifestyle,” seems to be wearing thin when the whole world and its neighbour know full well that those who do these public displays of their “enjoyment” are mortgaged and re-mortgaged up to the eyeballs.

In true Asian style the wives and daughters display the finery of success which is being gambled and grown by the husbands who faces the daily grind of work, negotiations and deals. Flashy cars, massive houses, excessive parties and ostentatious weddings all of which contribute towards the accepted norms of ongoing success are talked up, photographed and advertised. Designer clothes and jewellery which are an essential part of the visible trappings of excess are stacked on spouses rather like a tacky display in a showcase. But hark, take some time and observe the husbands! Aren’t they mere ghosts of the men they were? Their hair is thinning, greying or badly dyed. Their hollow faces are backdrops to glazed eyes. Brows full of deepening lines add years to their real age and their once primed bodies are now shrinking with the weight of the responsibility that comes with maintaining a facade. Unnoticeable and very slightly out of the frame they are placed on the borders of these pictures. Their expressions remind me of Antonio from The Merchant of Venice, “waiting for his ships to come in.” Worry is not something you can disguise. One cannot escape but hear the audible wives about the story that is being actively promoted, yet it is in the observing of the husbands that the truth is revealed. 

Our country has seen its fair share of curses throughout the last few decades. The 1982 riots which led to communal violence and a war that lasted years was outdone by a Tsunami, then just when people were beginning to feel even slightly in control, we were slapped hard by the Covid19 pandemic. All of this was gradually accompanied by a continuously corrupt political leadership that led to the worst economic hardship Lankans have even been through. 

Yet, while the Titanic that is Sri Lanka is heading towards a monumental glacier, the  so-called affluent seem to have grabbed all the available lifeboats and are commanding the band to play on! War, natural disasters, pandemics and political unrest are all opportunities for human vultures to make a killing in profits. And it is those opportunistic individuals who just cannot play it down. The fanfare on social media ensures that they are noticed. They put themselves in the spotlight in a vainglorious attempt to show off their gains, but all we notice are the evidence of the seven deadly sins.

Wealth gained through rightful means is hardly ever made visible. Those with inherited wealth have always had the grace to feel the pulse of the nation and act with suitable decorum. Some who have made vast fortunes yesterday have had the grace to play their cards correctly because of a proper sense of guidance and responsibility. Yet, to some it is the display of wealth that gives them a hallmark of acceptability within their particular strata of society. A society that is very much of their own kind.

These displays of untrammelled indulgence can be seen as unnecessary evils, during what is still a very troubling period for most people who view them as a form of vulgarity. Below are some explanations that are derived from the age-old interpretation of the many ‘wrongs’ that are evident in our society now.

Pride is identified as dangerously corrupt selfishness, putting one's own desires, urges, wants, and whims before the welfare of others. It is an irrational belief that one is essentially better, superior, or more important than others. It also alludes to excessively admiring oneself as godlike, refusing to acknowledge one's limits, faults, or wrongs.

Envy is an insatiable desire like greed. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, the struggle aroused by envy has three stages. At the first stage, the envious person attempts to lower another's reputation; in the middle stage, the envious person receives either "joy at another's misfortune" (if he succeeds in defaming the other person) or "grief at another's prosperity" (if he fails); and the third stage is hatred because "sorrow causes hatred.”

Sloth is defined as a failure to do things that one should do. By this definition, evil exists when "good" people fail to act. Unlike the other seven deadly sins, which are sins of committing immorality, sloth is a sin of omitting responsibilities.

Greed is an inordinate desire to acquire or possess more than one needs, especially with respect to material wealth. 

Wrath is the love of justice which is perverted to a point that is it a form of revenge that is full of spite.

Lust is intense longing mostly associated with sexual desires, however, observing the examples that are projected for our benefit on social media, it could also mean other forms of unbridled desires, such as for money, or power.

Gluttony is the overindulgence and overconsumption of anything to the point of waste. The main reason for the condemning what would be seen the necessary intake of food is the relentless gorging and constant wining and dining (often photographed and brandished for our benefit). This leaves the poor and needy hungrier and destitute, especially at times such as the present.

Based on the evidence, I rest my case and let you be the judge.

To sum up, I need to repeat again and again that no one begrudges anyone who is successful. People are entitled to have what they want and spend their money anyway they wish to. However, witnessing this constant display of excess whilst being reliably informed that the coffers are quite empty reminds me of the verses from Ecclesiastes (3:1-8) that there is indeed a time for everything, and so it should be. My personal take on this is that there is an inherent sense of shame for some to climb down a peg or two or even tone it down a bit. After all, this upwardly mobile few who always laugh at those who don’t play the game the way they expect everyone to, do not want to be laughed at when they are slipping and sliding back down the financial ladder and can ill afford the lifestyles that they once boasted about. Can you imagine the shame, if one of those large and vulgar houses are given on rent to make ends meet? What if that house is turned into a Keels, a Cargills or better still a Laugfs. Who will have the last laugh then? 

A glance at the past of some very affluent Colombo residents will be adequate proof that some have lost almost everything from their wealth, their lands and even their dignity. As the lessons in Ecclesiastes inform us, this too will be the fate of those who are laughing now. It also tells us that there is little justice in the world due to the wicked occupying the places that should be afforded to the good. It confirms that they will act without justice corrupting things that should be just. Should common sense prevail this ongoing celebration of ugliness will gradually fade but I doubt it will. Sadly, only a tragedy of extraordinary proportions will halt this bacchanal. But as there is a season for everything there will come a time when those who are struggling now will have good reason to laugh and celebrate. Let’s hope it is for the better things in life rather than at the expense of witnessing the fat cats and pussies of Colombo suffer the same fate as Sodom and Gomorrah!