Short Poetry and Prose: Satire

My favourite writings from this week were Swift's "The Lady's Dressing Room" and Montagu's "The Reasons that Induced Dr. S[wift] to Write a Poem Called the Lady's Dressing Room". I have read Swift's poems several times before but I do not recall having read Montagu's poem before. It was extremely entertaining. I am interested to hear what we are going to learn about the background between Montagu and Swift because I am sure there must be a story behind it. The first poem I actually found quite entertaining on its own simply because of how the man was describing Celia. It struck me funny because there is a very good chance that he is not all that sanitary either. After all this was a time when yearly baths were common place. It was also funny because of the things he was commenting on. He comments on a dirty smock, and her pot that she used for the washroom as if it would be surprising for such things as her undershirt and her excrement to smell bad. Montagu's response is of course entertaining because it describes Swift being with a prostitute and being unable to perform and blaming her. When she says that she will not return his money he says that he will write a poem describing how disgusting her bed chamber is, but this does not seem to phase her. Oh it is funny when men scorn a female poet.

Women Writing; The Education of Women

I have to say that my favourite piece of writing from this week was Margaret Fell Fox's "Women's Speaking Justified, Proved and Allowed by the Scriptures". I always enjoy reading about the freedom and equality of women; especially when the writer cites examples to prove themselves. It was often the case that women of this time were dismissed and considered to be shrewish women because they voiced their opinion. Sarah Fyge Egerton whom we also read about this week was unwillingly married because of her parent's disapproval of her writing. But this essay about women in the Bible just struck a cord with me. She gave examples that anyone could find, this was incredibly intelligent of her because people would have been unable to dispute her examples because that would be disputing the Bible. They could cite their own examples and ideas but they could not say that her examples were incorrect. She was able even to reexamine the part of the Bible that has been most damaging to women, Adam and Eve and the temptation of the fruit. She explains that God says "he [God] hath put enmity between the Women and the Serpent; and if the seed of the Women speak not, the Seed of the Serpent speaks". This is a really awesome example because it truly challenges the ideas that the world had about women.

Robinson Crusoe

I found it interesting how in class we were discussing how silly it was that Robinson Crusoe was trying to be so civilised when he was living all alone on an island. I think that if I was on an island all by myself with no connection to the outside world I would be quite similar. Chances are I would not take it as far as Crusoe considering he made himself a complete suit. But I think that I would have to continue some of my regular routine and keep as much connection as possible to the world. I would probably also be questioning God and the reasons I am there and what I was meant to learn from this experience. If I could I would read my Bible simply to keep that connection not only to my faith but also to people and society. To know that I was reading something that my family and friends are also reading and simply that people in general were reading I think would give me a sense of connection and normalcy. While it may have seemed odd that Crusoe was constantly counting the things that he had I understand why he did that. It probably gave him a sense of purpose and a job to do everyday. Again giving a sense of normalcy. I think the psychological aspect of being alone with no social contact is much more interesting than the facts of being on an island.