Letter: Justice and juvenile crime
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The Conservatives are eager for young people to be introduced to Shakespeare. The question is, will this have a lasting impact? My mother, in her nineties, was staying with us last week, and, being wakeful one night, had been reciting Shakespeare and poetry. A line or two from Portia's speech in Act IV of The Merchant of Venice had eluded her. Could we help, she asked next day.
Given John Major's speech about young offenders, suggesting that we should understand a little less and condemn a little more, I wonder if any Conservatives could have come to her assistance. With memory refreshed, perhaps she could come to theirs:
The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless'd;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
(The lines my mother forgot came here)
It is an attribute to God himself,
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice.
Yours faithfully,
JEAN BURTON
Harlow, Essex
1 March
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments