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For those following along, Patricia has just accused me of unilaterally tampering with the text. False. Butler did not publish the book in his lifetime. There is a problematic passage in his notebook, which are studies for a book he never published. We even know that he considered the passage so problematic, he's noted where the idea for one possible resolution of the problem came from (Jones, a friend of Butler). (As contrariwise, we don't have a record of the non-problematic passages such as "'said Overton' -- suggested by my neighbor's milkman, Mr. Smith")
Patricia writes first that she believes that the "never to have loved at all" reading was used by the very editor Butler chose, along with Streatfeild's other "extensive changes to the manuscript" -- which was a manuscript, not a book. She says that half a century later, a gentleman from another country presumes to know Butler's intention better than his most intimate confrere (and she supports him)! When challenged on this point, she says she has no idea which was published first, and does not care to find out.
So at the worst, what I've done is to restore the reading that was published during the decades when the book became a classic, and is still published in many if not most authoritative versions. I've given many arguments, based on the text, to show why the editor's original decision was a good, if not perfect solution. When asked what her opinion is as to the meaning of the reading she prefers, she quotes others opinions, all of which say that their alternative reading is somehow more "delightful" or "subversive" -- then show that they have no idea what's being subverted, and think Butler is merely regurgitating some cant. Her supporters (and of course I support her in her postings and wish her all joy) chime in, clearly without a notion of what the book is about, much like a man who doesn't know a Riesling from a Chardonnay will say "Delightful," "Unassuming, yet subversive!" because they have no clue.
If you haven't read the freakin' book, just admit it and apologize for bluffing and getting called on it. It won't count against your grade. But the bluster is getting awful thin. And trying to change the subject by making false accusations is rather pathetic.
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