Do feel letter writing plays a comparable role in the book to emails and texts today? Why or why not? Do you write letters to others?
Given the period the book is placed, texts and emails didn’t exist. Letters were the only means of written communication available. So I think letters were appropriate here. I occasionally write letters but as I get order I realize texts or emails are faster. I miss snail mail.
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I don’t think letters in the 1860s are comparable to emails and texts today. Current communication methods require/expect immediate reading and responses. Information can be quickly challenged, minds can be changed, plans can be altered. The writers of the letters in this book understand that their messages wouldn’t be received for days (or in some cases in this book, for years!), nor would they get a response for days. They don’t know the effect of their message instantaneously as we can today. I think of how different the story would have been if communication had been faster.
I think there is more thought put into letter writing. It takes longer, you can re-read and re-write as needed. The written word to me has more depth, more emotion, more care taken. Texts and emails get fired off, often without being proofed for errors or thought of how they will be received. When reading The Correspondent, you find out that many of her letters took days to write and there were many rough drafts. Letter writing makes me think of beautiful paper and a fountain pen with thick flowing black ink:) The art of penmanship is rare these days - don’t get me started on that!
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Letter writing was such a slow form of communication during this era. Today emails and text present news instantly where digestion and response is expected immediately. There can be issues with knee jerk reactions although usually not as significant of going without news for months. Can you imagine in today’s society having to wait long periods of time for important information. We get antsy if someone doesn’t get back to us the same day.
I do believe that the emails and texts of today play a role comparable to the letters written in the past. The purpose is the same and the exchange of information happens now as it did then. What’s missing today are the eloquence and depth found in the letters of the past. Today people are so busy and everything seems to command one’s immediate attention: a phone, a text, an email, visitor. We seldom have the time or inclination to gather our thoughts and write a long epistle. Too bad.
In some respects, letter writing plays a role comparable to that of emails and texts today in terms of sharing thoughts, emotions and (some) aspects of daily life. However, I don’t believe that readers of today’s texts and emails generally have the patience to either write or read the level of detail that was shared in the letters of this book. In particular, the letters share deep emotions that aid in understanding and communication. We have replaced those with emojis and shorthand texts. On the other hand, we are texts and emails allow us to read quickly, think, respond and question in real time, aiding in communications and sharing.
I totally agree with @Catherine_S comment. Letter writing is unfortunately a lost art. I have read the letters my parents exchanged during World War II and was amazed the passion so eloquently expressed especially from my father. I also remember my mother insisted that we write thank you letters after receiving Christmas and birthday gifts. I had to constantly nag my children to do the same. In today’s world everyone is in a hurry or occupied with social media so definitely corresponding with emails is more convenient. I admit at times I find it hard to correctly write without typos due to age and lack of proofreading.
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Letter writing is comparable to the role that email and texts play in our lives today.
Letter writing has become a popular theme in novels and historical fiction recently. Dear Missing Friend was an excellent example of a well told story through letters. Our emails and texts today would hardly tell a story ad they are generally extremely brief and not even meankngful to others. I fear that much modern history will be lost due to a lack of letter writing today.
Letter writing was an art. Email a necessary evil..lol! Seriously though, letters were time consuming snd slow. By the time people received them months had passed. So much detail was needed. Today with all our waysxto communicate, that type of letter doesnt seem needed.
Emails and texts are what we most use, but I often write and mail a letter, and almost every time, i get a response from that person when I see them face to face. They appreciated getting a letter out of the mailbox, and my taking the time to write something - even a birthday card or sympathy card with a handwritten message. Means a lot!
In many ways, letter writing is a lost art, with not much that compares to emails and texts today. In my opinion, people today don’t have as much patience to write out a thoughtful letter, or to take the time to read one. There are too many distractions in today’s world. Text messages don’t even contain whole words. You have to learn a whole new language to understand some texts these days!
Letter writing can perform the same base function, but it’s a more thoughtful, deeper method of communication (albeit a much slower, asynchronous method). Letter writing feels like a lost art in many ways. That said, I tend to love epistolary novels like this one. You can fashion an entire plot and learn so much about the interior of the characters, all within this form. Imagine trying to do that with emails or, especially, texts!