Shelley once knew a lady only from correspondence. They used to write letters to each other, and Shelley would call her “sister of my soul”, finding her opinions and outlook on life to be similar to his own. Eager to know his fair correspondent in person, he invited her to his house. After she had stayed with him for a few weeks he described her as “the most abominable devil” he had ever come across. Similarly, Delhi or London or New York may appear to be the city of your dreams, the place where you are destined to realise your aspirations. When, however, you live in that city for some time, it may well seem to be a monster out to devour your individuality.
The reason why distance lends enchantment to the view is not far to seek. It is imagination which shapes our mental picture of a distant object or person, and imagination tends to idealize, that is, to make a thing ideal, exaggerating its merits and ignoring its defects. Close contact with a place or person reveals defects which distance had dimmed. “Familiarity breeds contempt”, is a complementary proverb which emphasises this truth. Again, nobody, it is said, is a hero to his valet. The world may worship a man as a hero, but he is a smaller man to his valet who is aware of his weaknesses of which the world is ignorant.
Outline
The meaning of the proverb – some illustrations – why distance lends enchantment to the view. Distant places and persons look more attractive than they really are. From far they beckon us, their perfect silhouette enveloped in mists of fascination. But when we visit those places and meet those persons and observe them closely, they are likely to lose much of the spell they once cast over us. It is indeed true that distance, which may be physical or mental (unfamiliarity), lends enchantment to the view.