A FINE MADNESS •Understanding the writer, his ways

Godwin Muzari Entertainment Editor—
Dambudzo Marechera was not only popular for his outstanding writings but also an unpredictable character that led some critics to label him a madman. The late renowned author would occasionally burst into bouts of rage that confused some of his followers. No one really knew what transpired in Dambudzo’s own world but literature enthusiasts understood or tolerated him because his character was not unique in the world of talented authors.

Internationally, Jonathan Swift, Charles Dickens, TS Elliot and Virginia Woolf exhibited similar traits of mood swings and left many observers convinced that there is a thin line between writing and madness.

Locally, Dambudzo’s friend Charles Mungoshi and celebrated author Shimmer Chinodya have been in the same bracket.

Mungoshi has exhibited a unique character and his wife and actress Jesesi has in the past revealed that the author sometimes wanders in his own world and they understand him. They know it is part of his creative prowess.

Chinodya is also unpredictable. He is prone to these “creative bouts” with the latest being last month’s incident at a local medical institution. Chinodya undressed in public and hurled obscenities at onlookers.

While some observers found it funny that he stripped, literary authorities feel the writer needs support because his world can strain the mind to unimaginable levels.

There have been numerous researches internationally linking creativity to madness and The Herald Entertainment spoke to some local writers about the unpredictable events that happen in their world.

Ignatius Mabasa believes some of the writers go beyond the natural world in their creativity, which takes them above normal reasoning. He said he subscribes to the notion that geniuses are closer to insanity because their brains are too sharp.

“Some of the guys are too talented and they cease to be ordinary. The way they see things is not ordinary and we cannot understand them,” said Mabasa.

“These people come up with good works and we accept the works yet we try to condemn the creators and say they are mad. I see a contradiction in that matter. If you condemn the writer, then you should also condemn the work. If you like the work, then you should accept that the creator is not always ordinary in his or her imagination and you should tolerate their actions that you might not understand.”

Virginia Phiri vehemently denied that unique actions and characters that writers display are linked to madness. She said such actions reveal brilliance.

“It is brilliance, not madness. People do not understand us but we are used to it. Sometimes we see things beyond the natural world because of this brilliance,” she said.

“The only problem is that when this brilliance is suppressed due to various situations some of us tend to burst and exhibit characters that many might not understand. We need a platform to show this brilliance and pour out the creativity in us. If we do not pour it out, it sometimes becomes so strong and unbearable. We are different and those that are not strong emotionally will not be able to contain the pressure.

“Writers see beyond the norm and some of our writings are prophetic. If people understand this abnormal strength, they will agree with me that writers are not mad. They are just brilliant.”

In particular reference to Chinodya’s stripping case, Wonder Guchu noted that people should support artistes in such situations.

“Just read Mukoma Shimmer Chinodya’s story. Most people who are not conversant with creativity seem to be having fun. In fact, when he wrote Chairman of Fools, he had had a stint in an institution. Creating is a heavy thing . . . This is not peculiar to and with writers only but musicians as well. The best we can do is support them,” Guchu noted.

However, Memory Chirere had a different opinion. He sees nothing in creativity that can be linked to madness but says writers are “also human” and experience the same situations as anyone else.

“Writers are just like anyone else. They only become visible because of their works. Mental cases in the society are caused by various situations and these issues also affect writers. Abnormal actions that are shown by writers are common in all sectors. It is only that writers are popular and their actions will be noticed more than ordinary people,” said Chirere.