An e-mail from Mr.Darcy to Elizabeth!

Snail mail vs. electronic mail

By Samangie WETTAMUNY

How would you like it, if you happen to read the modern version of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' that says; "Elizabeth was surprised to get an e-mail from Mr. Darcy"? Which episode do you prefer - Emma Woodhouse checking her e-mails to see whether she has got an e-mail from Harriet Smith or Emma Woodhouse eagerly awaiting a letter from Harriet? If Emily Bronte lived today she would have come out with a sentence as follows; "Cathy checked her email every day in the vain hope that she would get an email from Heathcliff!"

Aren't you glad that Austen's handsome literary hero had no access to e-mail and that he had to "walk in the grove for sometime in the hope of meeting" Elizabeth, to hand over a 'letter (of explanation'!!) to her! Aren't you happy that Emma had no access to e-mail and that Cathy never had to wait for an e-mail from Heathcliff?

What a question, you must be wondering. But I am sure none of you would wish to read the modern versions of any of these novels due to several different personal reasons! One major reason why I never want to read the modern versions of these novels is my 'fear' that "handwritten letters" would be replaced with "Electronic Mail"! Believe me ,"Darcy got an e-mail from Elizabeth" is the sentence that I like least!!

Handwritten letters are more personal and intimate than e-mails no matter how 'fast' they may be. During the early Nineteenth Century letters were the only means of communication between individuals and 'handwritten letters' played a major role in the writings of worldrenowned novelists to convey the central themes.

Even today despite the existence of a myriad of advanced communication methods, it seems that snail mail is still preferred by a considerable number of people. When electronic mail was introduced, most of us thought that handwritten letters will become an outdated mode of communication, but it did never happen. The postman still has his place in society. Still preschool children recite poems written on postman. Small children still write letters to Santa Claus and expect a handwritten letter and a gift in return!!

"For Christmas, my Ayya (brother) got an e-mail from Santa Claus. It is just a Forward mail. But he has sent me a special, 'handwritten' letter along with a 'toy car' because he loves me more" said a toddler (with his mother by his side) whom I met near a sales outlet in Colombo last Christmas.

It seems that snail mail greeting cards are still preferred than e-cards. "I don't mind getting an e-card from my cousins who live overseas, but what I prefer most is a greeting card "Par Avion" was the response of my colleague. She feels that she is "not being treated properly" if she doesn't receive a birthday card by air mail!! "Technology can do miracles, it has made the communication easier and fast. But nothing can be compared to a handwritten greeting card!" she said.

The introduction of electronic-mail never made any of us ignore the bell of the postman. According to Nathasha, a software engineer, the whole day she is busy at her computer checking hundreds of e-mails a day. "But I still love to hear the bell of the postman at my doorstep, the same way I did as a child. I get several e-cards on my birthday and wedding anniversary, but what I cherish most are snail mail greeting cards. It is more intimate and personal." Perhaps this is why the postman still has his place in society. Though the demand for typewriters drastically dropped with the introduction of computers, the latter has so far been unable to make a significant impact on the demand for postal services.

Another striking feature in snail mail is "once you receive it, it is your 'property' No one can 'copy' it and 'paste' it somewhere else!. "But e-mail accounts can be hacked. Unless you delete your e-mails, you can't guarantee that no one else will see it.

Even if you delete it, there are 'experts' who know how to retrieve even deleted e-mails," says Nalinda who works at a communication centre in Colombo. When asked whether it is not safe to open your personal e-mail accounts in cyber-cafes he answered in the affirmative. "Not that we are addicted to hacking other people's e-mail accounts. But it is better if you have a personal laptop or a computer to check your personal mail."

The collection of letters written by Former Indian Premier Jawaharlal Nehru to his daughter Indira while in prison which was later published as "Glimpses of World History" is now considered as the best study guide to world history.

Have you ever heard of collections of e-mails that were published as books? May be in near future you may come across such publications. It would be a novel experience to all of us.