The Ideal of
Craftsmanship
written by C. Wrigth Mills is about
the six features associated with craftsmanship. In the essay, the writer
talks about these six features which
are essential to enhance the craftsmanship.
Summary of "The Ideal
of Craftsmanship" by C. Wrigth
Mills
The essayist, Mills tries to define craftsmanship (शिल्प कौशल) and provides the six- features
associated with craftsmanship:
1. According to William Morris,
craftsman works for pleasure (आनन्द). He gives whole attention on the quality of product. To create, he forms
the image of the product at first in the mind. Then, he produces the product spontaneously (सहज रूपमा). For him, money or reputation or salvation (मुक्ति) are secobndary matter while
creating art is primary.
2. If his work is not accepted legally,
he is seen happy psychologically. In
other words, if the producer does not legally achieve the product, he owns it psychologically. He can own art
because his skill and sweat are mixed on it. The craftsman has complete picture of the product even
before giving it a complete shape. It means from the part he can sense whole of
his work. If the making tools are dull, improper, however, he goes on making
the art. If he completed the work with many resistances (बाधा), he would be happier that arises
while creating the art.
3. The workman goes on creating his own plan. While making, he
can also modify it with his own will. So, he is the master of all activities.
He himself must solve problem of difficulties.
4. While creating or producing,
craftsman can develop and foster (बढावा दिनु) his skill. It is not only the
self-development but cumulative (बढ्दै जाने) development of his skills. In such
condition, his mind gets exercise as a result, he becomes creative and active.
5. In craftsmanship, there is not
different between work and play or work and culture. Actor gets pleasure
acting in play. If work can give pleasure, it is also play. According to
Gentile, work and culture are not separable. In crafting, consumption and
production are blended (मिश्रित) together.
6. Craftsman thinks to give freshness and originality even in his leisure time. If he does not think about the product in his leisure time his rest is only animal rest. So, craftsman is far from animal rest. According to Henry James, to give freshness, craftsman should meditate (मनन गर्नु) upon the producing material. According to Tilgher, peace and calm (शान्त) flow from done work through quiet and thoughtful mind.