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fw
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 361
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 Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2005 5:27 am Post subject: How dreary would be the world! |
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Hello everyone.
The passage below is from the editorial page of the Sep. 28, 1987, issue of "New York Sun".
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.
Question:
Should "Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus!" above have been "Alas! how dreary the world would be if there were no Santa Claus!"?
Any comment would be appreciated.
Best regards,
fw |
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Kristea
Joined: 17 Nov 2005
Posts: 167
Location: Minneapolis, MN USA
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| Posted: Thu Nov 17, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject: How dreary... |
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Either is correct; this is a stylistic choice only.
In my opinion, "how dreary would be the world" (the original version, I believe) is more formal and refined. (Also, this piece first appeared in the Times a long time ago when the phrase wouldn't have sounded so affected.)
Just a thought - Kristea
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"That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much." R.L. Stevenson |
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fw
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 361
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| Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2005 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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Thank you, Kristea.
Your comment is really intersting and helps a lot.
fw |
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