Proust 2010
Posted Mon, 12/20/10
A few years ago, I answered the Proust Questionnaire. I thought enough time had passed to try the questionnaire again. Would my answers be different, signifying a change in my life or a renewed outlook?
I was surprised that my responses hadn't changed one whit.
What is your favorite word? Alone.
What is your least favorite word? Fart.
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Cool, quiet, organization.
What turns you off creatively, spiritually or emotionally? Constant neediness in others.
What sound or noise do you love? Rain.
What sound or noise do you hate? An animal crying in pain or loud television.
What is your favorite curse word? Piss off.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Statistician.
What profession would you not like to do? Anything involving being in the sun or hot temperatures.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Foofer is anxious to see you.
When I lived in Washington years ago, I used to watch Inside the Actors Studio with great regularity. I enjoyed the non-gossipy examinations of the acting craft as opposed to flashy bits at film premieres or otherwise self-serving and mundane representations. At the end of every program, the host James Lipton queried his guests using the Proust Questionnaire as a guide.
According to the web site Wikipedia: "The Proust Questionnaire is a questionnaire about one's personality. Its name and modern popularity as a form of interview is owed to the responses given by the French writer Marcel Proust."
There are variations on the questions, more of which I've answered below.
Favorite virtue: Honesty.
Favorite qualities in a man: Someone who doesn't need incessant pandering or reassurance.
Favorite qualities in a woman: Someone who doesn't take glee in other women's misfortune or bad luck. Is there such a creature?
Where would you like to live? Ireland or Maine.
Favorite color and flower: Black or red colors, purple lilacs.
Favorite names: Sean, Kevin, Mike, Aislinn, Kiki, Raven, Shannon.
Favorite poet: None.
Favorite heroes in fiction: Conor Larkin (Trinity by Leon Uris) and Sergeant Mike Flannigan from Mrs. Mike.
Favorite heroines in fiction: Ava Egan (Celtic Remnants by yours truly) and Skye O'Malley.
Favorite food and drink: Mexican or Japanese (non-sushi), coffee or lemon iced tea.
What does it say about me that two of my favorite heroes in fiction are Irish terrorists? It's not the violence I admire, but rather their fortitude in fighting back against injustice.
*Related Posts: Vanity Fair Query (03/23/08); More Proust (11/19/08); Proust 2010 (12/20/10); Proust 2012 (02/25/12) and Proust 2015 (10/21/15).