Week 2 Blog Post – Caitlin
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I picked words from Lady Mary Wortley’s “The Reasons that Induced Dr. S. to write a Poem called “The Lady’s Dressing Room” To pick words from.
I chose the word “Offering” from the poem used near the beginning, when Betty’s maid tells him that he’ll need to bring money if he intends to enjoy her mistress’ company. The word “offering” stuck out to me because I have always considered an offering to be a gift, something that one doesn’t intend to get recompense from; whereas Dr. S in this story is obviously looking to get something out of this arrangement. I think that by using the word “offering” in what is to very soon become a cut and dry business transaction Wortley is foreshadowing the conflict that is to come by almost making light of this transaction.
The second word I chose is from the same poem, down towards the middle where the narrator momentarily leaves the characters after money has changed hands and you fully expect the services to continue as planned, as do they “Expects the doctor’s warm embrace.” The word is “mad” from ” With learning mad, with wisdom blind!” Wortley is getting across that mankind is driven crazy with their own learning and are blind with our own wisdom; meaning that we can’t see the answers to things we think are already discovered. I think the line in which this word is used in particular meant for people (and maybe Dr.S) to open their eyes to what power and value shifts are going on around them.
I chose these two words because they both have to do with a kind of obliviousness in power. The first is used almost satirically, Dr. S ‘offers’ his money fully intending that he’ll get his money’s worth. “Mad” refers to a state of mind that one reaches when one thinks they know everything, like how Dr. S “knew” he would leave Betty’s fully satisfied. Instead, the economics of the situation didn’t play out the exact way he thought they would. Understanding this connection is important because it helps put into perspective the intentions that Dr. S has going into Betty’s and why things go the way they do when he *ahem* can’t perform.
Nicely chosen words, Caitlin, in both cases, and a good explanation of them. Offering, as you note, as the potential to affect whether the meeting between Betty and Dr. S is a business transaction or not — so, a question that you might want to think about: why would it be advantageous to Dr. S to have the money be an offering, rather than a payment? And why might it also be advantageous to Betty?
The way you explained “offering” brought to mind the marketing technique of giving a small gift, and expecting something in response. For example, the fundraisers who give out little flowers and ask for a donation–most people don’t need a random single flower, but will donate after being given an “offering.” It’s funny because in Dr. S’ case, Betty thought of it as simply a business transaction.
I think this is a very well written post. It goes much deeper than being just a summary, and you did a great job analyzing the words and connecting them together. The only thing that I think could be improved upon if you choose to revise this post is to make it clearer why this connection means to the reader. For example, does this use of the word “offering” say something particular about how we come to place value on certain things and how that value can be different from what others would place on it?
I like how you used quotes to back up what you are saying and the depth you have gone in explaining the two words you chose. Using your own opinion about what offering meant to you caught my attention into knowing more about what you were writing about. The only thing I suggest is why is to emphasize why is this important for the reader to know?