Folks don’t write like they have a command of language and intelect anymore. Especialy folks my complexion. Just like music today we want to write what sales or what folks will buy. And just as in the music game, there are few real indepenent and spirited voices in Arican American literature. And yo folk her aint no E Lynn Jerome Dickey Tyree type. I mean if I didn’t sale books I’d still write: plays, essays, verse, short stories what have you.
Voltaire, true is my all time favorite and I am honored to say so. But few folks presently have or evince the intellectual squib or derision, to even approach the skill of a Voltaire or a Moliere – albeit I try.
Tartuffe had me rolling main, just like the first time I read it in the 9th grade. At that time, I was mad I had to read a motherfucker whose name sounded like a pocketbook made with fish eggs.
In the story, I mean the play; the author is able, without the employment of dialogue or soliloquy, to show the heart of hypocrisy. The main character, Tartuffe is a hypocrite who deceives this cat named Orgon into giving all his shit to him. Now his woman, a real woman, Elmire, after she couldn’t show her man Tartuffe was a regular mark, flirted with Jones so that she could find out what Tartuffe was really about.
Thus all of the play is about Orgon and the people around him and why would he cherish a person who only desired to take advantage of him. To make a long story short, Orgon finally realizes Tartuffe's character and directs he moves out of his home. Being the fuck boy he is, Tartuffe tries to take all of Jones shit and at the same time disgrace and tarnish his name and reputation.
All of this reminded me that there is nothing new. That’s probably why of the entire play written by Moliere the following quote sticks out the most: “Your simulators don't disarm my wits. Like courage, piety has its hypocrites. Just as we see, where honor beckons most, the truly brave are not the ones who boast; the truly pious people, even so, are not the ones who make the biggest show. What? Do you really see no difference between devoutness and devout pretense? Do you want to give them both the selfsame place, honor the mask just as you do the face, equate artifice with sincerity, and take similitude for verity? Isn't there any difference for you between phantoms and men, false coins and true?” (Act 1, Scene 5, Line 324-338).
Tartuffe was the ultimate Christian in word but his actions showed that he was a hypocrite. He was the first to take and never give and blame others before himself. And believe me you there are Tartuffe’s, all around us. Folks that say others need Jesus in their lives but lie neglect their kids and don’t provide for themselves. Folks that point and blame others but never taking responsibility for their actions. Folks that say they love others in words, but cut, stab, shoot and destroy the property of others. Maybe it’s nothing, or maybe I’m like Cleante when he said in the play “I don't possess the wisdom of the ages, and I am not a learned sage; of sages; my only knowledge and my only art is this: to tell the true and false apart.” (Act 1, Scene 5, Lines 351-354).
PS: shouts out to West Va pouncing Ok and D. Williams and 20 assist
