On Romance: Tragic Endings Affect Us More

June 29, 2009 in Characters, Plot
Tags: Romance

As I watched the 2-DVD long version of the film ‘Scarlett’ yesterday night and today morning, I began to wonder about the much maligned but universally loved genre of Romance.

Oh yes! Romance! Something which most of us deny liking, but are often prevailed upon to watch (via movies), do and endure during our lifetimes. Romance is the most eternal genre among all the different genres that exist in the writing world. And, I must point out that often enough, many stories revolve around this particular aspect of any story. And yet, many of us deny liking it, much less loving it!

As I wondered more and more, it also struck me, that it is only in this particular genre that when the ending is sad, we remember it more poignantly. Sad endings – tragedies – these are those essential parts of the genre of Romance which stay with us no matter what.

And it is important to note, that most of these Romantic Tragedies emerge from books – and very rare, few movies move us in the same manner.

Gone With The Wind – the movie is based on the book by Margaret Mitchell. There are many differences in the book and the movie – not to mention that the central character of Scarlett O’Hara is painted quite differently in the movie version. Sad. However, when Rhett Butler leaves her on the footsteps of the staircase in her house saying “Frankly My Dear, I Don’t Give A Damn” we are all moved and touched. Scarlett has finally realized how much she really loves Rhett, and then he leaves her.

Many decades passed and the sequel to that book was written: Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley. A worthy effort it was. Eventually taking us through many twists and turns, and finally uniting Scarlett and Rhett Butler. Finally, they find their true love again. After several trials and tribulations.

But somehow, this seemed much like wishful thinking. If I were to believe it, then the magic that was Gone With The Wind is totally lost! Somehow, I like the way the story ended – the uncertainty – the tragedy. That is what set it apart in my mind. And in my heart.

Another such well known tragic love story is Romeo and Juliet. A play written by none other than the great Bard Shakespeare himself. We all know how that story ends – they both die committing suicide for each other – thinking the other is dead.

So many such love stories exist out there in folklore and myth – stories of love that ended up in tragedy. These are the stories which remain with us throughout.

With the stories that have happy endings, we know that it all goes well. So we are happy. It is nice. And so we promptly forget all the things about it. With the sad stories, we tend to remember the pain.

All of us have had a love lost at some point of time or the other. We end up relating to the loss. We end up retaining it – the deep feelings associated with loss touch us more effectively than the happy feelings associated with happy endings.

Now, I am not saying that happy endings are bad. Just that sad endings remain in our hearts much deeply and more firmly.