The cure for violence in society: more Jane Austen!
That’s a difficult idea to argue with, and we always encourage everyone to read more Jane, though ultimately we find the argument rather simplistic.
Too much Quentin Tarantino and not enough Jane Austen are to blame for the increase in violent crime, a senior police officer has said.
Clive Wolfendale, the deputy chief constable of North Wales Police, said: “We have seen an unprecedented year in the number of violent attacks, which have led to deaths. All of these have been swiftly detected.
“In today’s society, more people are likely to spend their evenings watching a Quentin Tarantino DVD than reading a Jane Austen novel. Perhaps we should not be surprised by the consequences.”
We do not consider enjoyment of Jane Austen’s work and Mr. Tarantino’s work mutually exclusive. We dare say that Jane would have loved JACKIE BROWN: a sweet, if unusual, odd-couple romance, with a stone fabulous soundtrack. The work of both artists enjoys immense popularity and critical acclaim and engenders a great deal of discussion amongst those who enjoy them. Maybe the answer is to have Quentin Tarantino direct a Jane Austen film; say, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE: John Travolta as Darcy, Uma Thurman as Elizabeth, Samuel L. Jackson as Wickham, Harvey Keitel as Mr. Bennet, and a cameo by the director as the charming Col. Fitzwilliam. It would sure put a different spin on Darcy and Lizzy’s dance at Netherfield… 
January 27th, 2005 at 12:05 pm
I read a similar story from the UK recently; the London Underground have determined that playing Mozart at tube stations has reduced violent crime by 30%.
January 27th, 2005 at 8:09 pm
I’ll bear testimony to the Mozart theory. It sure helps my evening commute. I don’t feel like screaming at idiot drivers near as much if I’ve got the radio on the classical station.