Comments on Advertising for Love: Bad Seeds

Yes, I've just read "House of Mirth"...

2009-11-17T12:04:57.729-05:00

Yes, I've just read "House of Mirth", which is what made me think of it!

Liz - I've only read "House of Mirth"...

2009-11-16T13:31:11.861-05:00

Liz - I've only read "House of Mirth" and "Age of Innocence" since starting this project, and neither mention personal ads - but the former is definitely relevant. I meant to work it into my dissertation but somehow never did. I guess I can still add it in!

Totally off-topic, but reading about the words adv...

2009-11-16T09:31:28.506-05:00

Totally off-topic, but reading about the words adventuress brings it to mind - I've been reading Edith Wharton novels (hem) in my trip abroad, and the kinds of women who have to marry for money obviously feature as large characters in those. Do you happen to know whether Mrs. Wharton or her contemporaries ever mention personal ads in their fiction? Not that I'm suggesting you go reading for such things immediately, but if I keep on with the New York High Society Novel, I shall keep an eye out in case some reference pops up.

Ms. Avery - you're right, I've seen that t...

2009-11-14T15:47:24.988-05:00

Ms. Avery - you're right, I've seen that too.

Arwen - So true! It's easier to believe someone's jerking you around than to accept they just might not like you!

I have seen 19th-century writers use "adventu...

2009-11-14T06:31:53.606-05:00

I have seen 19th-century writers use "adventurer" and "adventuress" to mean someone who marries a person for their money, so it might just mean that.

Hmm, I also wonder how many of those 'triflers...

2009-11-14T05:50:35.377-05:00

Hmm, I also wonder how many of those 'triflers' and adventuresses *were* seriously interested until they met the advertiser. Seriously matrimonally inclined still doesn't mean "will accept first offer" after all.

(reminds me of the sort of online dating profiles that claim they're messed around all the time by people who aren't serious, but who sound more like they just reveal their unappealing side on closer contact and therefore turn people off)