Saturday, January 7, 2012

The Proust Questionnaire - My responses

Apparently Proust believed that it is our duty to know ourselves better before we start to know others. The questionnaire aims to do so. I suppose one might as well take a shot at it and fill it out.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Of being found out.

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT STATE OF MIND?
Fragmented. Too many thoughts in too many directions.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE OCCUPATION?(WAY OF SPENDING TIME)
Worrying.

WHAT HISTORICAL FIGURE DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Karna of the Mahabharatha.

WHICH LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
Can't think of anyone. Dhoni comes closest.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FICTIONAL HERO?
Karna

WHO ARE YOUR REAL-LIFE HEROES?
Gandhi, Dhoni, Woody Allen, Dev Anand.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My sense of integrity

WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU HAPPIEST?
When my daughter Anjali was born. Also when I am doing something I like.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST OBVIOUS CHARACTERISTIC?
Inflexibility.And a sense of equanimity that others seem to perceive.

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE (HATE) IN YOURSELF?
Taking myself too seriously to the extent of thinking that the world works because of me. I despise this trait because it places too much burden on me which tires me.

WHAT IS THE TRAIT YOU MOST DEPLORE IN OTHERS?
An obvious fakeness that they seem to believe in. Also the fact that they take themselves too seriously.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Buying myself a 50 inch tv.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE JOURNEY?
Almost all road journeys, in the company of friends, family and happy people.

WHAT DO YOU MOST DISLIKE ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE?
My graying hair, these days.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER THE MOST OVER-RATED VIRTUE?
Generosity.

ON WHAT OCCASION DO YOU LIE?
When I think it might not be found, at least until a later time.

WHICH WORDS OR PHRASES DO YOU MOST OVER-USE?
'I think...'

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Stop taking myself too seriously and just be. Act more, think less.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Filling out a questionnaire like this in public space.

WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE?
On a hill by the sea, on a mountain.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A MAN?
A happy disposition.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A WOMAN?
An element of mischief and fun.

WHAT IS IT YOU MOST DISLIKE?
An obvious overestimation of oneself.

WHAT DO YOU VALUE MOST IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Openness to let me be the way I am.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE?
Peacefully.

IF YOU WERE TO DIE AND COME BACK AS A PERSON OR AN ANIMAL, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE?
Pass.

IF YOU COULD CHOOSE AN OBJECT TO COME BACK AS, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
A mirror. So I could watch people be themselves, admire themselves.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO (WORDS YOU LIVE BY OR THAT MEAN A LOT TO YOU)?
To stick to what I believe in, even if it may not be in agreement with what others think or which may not make others happy.

WHO HAS BEEN THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
My parents, though much of it, unconsciously.

Nothing as insightful as Marcel was even at 13 or at 20. But this is it.
http://www.angelfire.com/ms/chseng2/proust.html

4 comments:

Vinod Ekbote said...

Hari, Nice, refreshing post. Btw, we share the same favorite occupation.

Harimohan said...

Thanks Vinod bhai. I am glad we share the same occupation. Most of the world must be sharing it I feel, one way or another.

Rajendra said...

"What, me Worry? " I think this was a MAD cover from long ago. Don't worry, be happy did become a popular refrain for a while.

Harimohan said...

Raja, I guess I better start worrying about being happy now.