The word ‘gentleman’ isn’t a simple word that can be defined. Most of the people often associate this word with wearing polished shoes, immaculate clothes, articulate speech and riches.I am reminded what my English teacher, Mrs Sonika Singh once remarked in one of her classes –
‘Suited booted stick in hand
Can’t be called a gentleman
Needs to have kindness in his heart and substance in his head
To be called a gentleman’
In my considerations, a person is only a gentleman if he has enough respect for everyone irrespective of gender, age, class or status. Many a times we take the external looks as the sole criteria to judge (like the colour of skin, complexion, race, caste) to define a person as genteel or ruffian i.e. whether a person is a gentleman or not?
Interestingly, for many, a person must be rich to be called a gentleman. In our society, richness, I feel is over rated and with it comes some our preconceived notions about gentlemanliness.
The answer is, not every rich person has a good heart. And not all poor are heartless or criminals. Its only our preconception that poor are thought to be like that. Moreover, not every celebrity has a good heart. There are exceptional like the Cristiano Ronaldo, who sold most part of his earning for the poor children of his country. This gentleman sold his golden shoes, all the medals, achievements to make his country look more beautiful.
Gentleman does not only respect others, but also cares about his country and is ready to do anything for his countrymen. Gentleman isn’t pretty from outside i.e. outer beauty but, also beautiful from inside. They make our world more beautiful and peaceful to live in.
So let us shun the narrow definition of a gentleman and endeavour to become gentlemen, who are beyond looks and riches but are progressive in thinking and ethical in actions.
ANSHUMAN CHAURASIA
XII B ( Science Stream)
