Evoking Emotions

I'm what people call a "heart on sleeve" man.
You know the type--they LOVE Lifetime Channel movies, seek out "tear-jerker" novels, and weep just THINKING about a movie they've seen or a book they've read.

I've always loved Vincent Van Gogh's art.
But upon reading several biographies about him, and then reading his collection of Letters to Theo (his brother), I came to FEEL for Vincent the MAN, the PERSON, the SOUL!

I had a girlfriend in the late 70's--an excellent, serious, and successful artist in her own right--who also loved Van Gogh.
She told me of the time she went to Europe, and saw her first VG painting in person!
She reported having wept for 10 minutes just standing before this great work, mesmerized!

I'm now a lonely old man.
My last girlfriend and I split up over 9 years ago.
(Though I had a VERY interesting "Skype affair" since then that lasted almost 2 years (!!), and involved LOTS of "cyber-sex" and even "words of love".  POSSIBLY a post about THAT in the future??)

Anyway, sad to say, my only "involvement" with others (except for casual "Hi, how are you, the weather is....!"-type conversations) is with characters in novels and movies.

But maybe those intimate connections shouldn't be blamed on a lack of "the real thing" in my physical existence.
After all, I've ALWAYS felt this connection with the novels & movies I've immersed myself in!
Ask anyone who's gone to a movie with me---I am 100% involved in that movie--with or without anyone sitting beside me!
Same with a book.
When reading, the rest of the world could disappear, and it wouldn't matter!

Okay, just a WEE bit hyperbolic!!
But you get the picture!

Who ARE these characters, and WHAT is their story--that raw deep feelings emerge through their voice or their image?
Why do I cry because a make-believe person is going through something traumatic in their lives?
Why do I fear for their lives when I see that villain out to kill them?
Why do I care that an abused woman or child finds safety in a shelter or in the sheltering arms of a gentle nice new love?

Sure, it probably takes the ability---and the WILLINGNESS!!--to leave "reality" behind and to dive into the "story" being told.
Most people probably don't become so involved.
They can watch a horror movie and not be scared.
They can read a romantic novel and think only that this match was NOT made in Heaven!!

Why are THOSE people allowed to be entertained by these fictional life tales--without wanting to SAVE the person in danger from harm, or without wanting to offer HIS love to that woman so much in need of a warm hug?
Why can't I just sit there and ENJOY the book or movie--without needing a napkin to wipe my tears away---or even feeling a bit SILLY sitting there CRYING because a FICTIONAL CHARACTER was having a bad day??
I mean, Jeez!!

Of course, seriously, it has to do with the author, or the actors (or a combination of actors & director, etc) being so great and in control of their craft that they evoke these emotions from their audience.

It's not how they place words in a sentence, or images on a screen.
It's not whether the story is "based on a true story" or not.
It's not even on whether YOU are susceptible to the manipulations of the writer or creator of this work of art.
Did Van Gogh ever cry at another's paintings?
(Based on Kirk Douglas's hammy portrait of VG in "Lust for Life", I'd say YES!)
Why did my ex-lover weep standing before one of his paintings?
Why do I cry while reading a Nicholas Sparks novel, or watching a movie based on his books?
Does HE cry while writing such a tome?

The "ability" to FEEL---to have every emotion evoked by a fictional work of art--comes from many places--for several different reasons.

Sure, "craft" has something to do with it.
After all, another novel or film telling the SAME story can leave you cold and tearless.

The images of the facial expressions---especially the eyes, or the quivering jawline--can bring these emotions FROM them TO you!!

Having experienced something similar to their tale in your own life can contribute to such deep involvement!
Especially those rare times you truly believe that THIS book was written about YOU---or FOR you!!
(I've thought that a lot while listening to Bob Dylan!!)

And sure, some of it is just "wish fulfillment"--the living out of a dream or fantasy.
You really BECOME that Detective who always saves the day!
You ARE that friend who tenderly consoles the grieving new widow--and winds up sleeping with her a few hours after she's buried her ex!

But you know what?
I LOVE feelings and emotions being evoked from mere words on a page or connected images in a two hour movie.
I sometimes have asked friends WHY I have to FEEL so much, when life would be so much easier if I could just shovel a movie or book in and out of my life like so much dirt in a field!

No, my friends.
I wouldn't have it any other way!

"The ghost of 'lectricity HOWLS in the bones of her face---where these Visions of Johanna have now taken her place!"
Bob Dylan, from Visions of Johanna