Philistines

I know I'm very precious about literature, but I think it's important. The great books were not the result of half a days work, rather they were crafted thoughtfully over weeks, months or even years. The style of writing, the grammar, the individual words used are every bit as important as the storyline.

So why are University College supporting this appalling idea?

Hamlet: "2b? Nt2b? = ???"

Some of the greatest works of English literature have been compressed into simple text message for a college revision scheme. Hamlet's famous line, "To be or not to be, that is the question", for example, becomes "2b? Nt2b? = ???". The service is designed to help English students revising for their exams and was backed by University College London's Professor John Sutherland.

Other books which have been turned into text message summaries include Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Charles Dickens's Bleak House. Professor Sutherland said the service "amply demonstrates text's ability to fillet out the important elements in a plot". He added: "Take for example the ending to Jane Eyre - 'MadwyfSetsFyr2Haus'. Was ever a climax better compressed?"

Did it need to be compressed? According to my copy of the book Ms Bronte actually ended with;

St. John is unmarried: he never will marry now. Himself has hitherto sufficed to the toil and the toil draws near its close: his glorious sun hastens to its setting. The last letter I received from him drew from my eyes human tears and yet filled my heart with divine joy: he anticipated his sure reward, his incorruptible crown. I know that a stranger's hand will write to me next, to say that the good and faithful servant has been called at length into the joy of his Lord. And why weep for this? No fear of death will darken St. John's last hour; his mind will be unclouded, his heart will be undaunted, his hope will be sure, his faith steadfast. His own words are a pledge of this: "My Master," he says, "has forewarned me. Daily He announces more distinctly, 'Surely I come quickly!' and hourly I more eagerly respond, 'Amen; even so come, Lord Jesus!'"

That is far, far better than 'MadwyfSetsFyr2Haus' which frankly makes no sense whatsoever.

2 Unv Clg
stk yR txt Idr ^ yR rrrs
lv φ