So, there I was, reading this introduction by Pernille Hermann (this book), when I note with great terror that she claims that "to give a picture of all the implications of literacy from the Early Middle Ages to the Early Modern Period is not possible within the limits of one book." I note this with terror, because I believe that no one should attempt to say something in fifty thousand words when they can not say it in fifty, and my experience with such people and such attempts are trials of endurance more than anything else.
Obviously it can fit within one book if it can fit within any number of books, and obviously the real picture of all the implications would be impossible within ten lifetimes in the middle ages. But what about fifty words? In fact, why not describe this entire period in fifty words? A worthy task, a worthy challenge, and one that I accept!
And so: "Although Europe saw many wars, famines, and nasty plagues, it also saw the foundation laid for modern standards of human dignity, through emphasis and improvements in literacy, (natural) laws, and learning." These are only thirty-one words, so there is room for more details: "Also some people wrote awesome books and others built wicked cool castles and churches." Forty-five. "P.S. Important things happened."
I believe that anything that deserves to be said, can be said in fifty words, and I invite you, dear reader, to offer your version of the middle ages in fifty words, or to give me a new topic to similarly do away with.
2 comments:
The middle-ages started when Rome lost interest. Barbarians took over, looked at Roman ways, and tried to do better. Several centuries later they succeeded and the middle-ages ended. Along the way they spilled blood, got sick, started writing their own languages.
Haha, good attempt, though obviously I think mine is better as you make no mention of the wicked cool castles and churches.
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