Interpretations

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Interpretations Written by SusanH (2/8/2011 1:31 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, I've read it over several times and have to admit I, penned by AnnetteJ

Now I am no historian, and I didn't make this up on my own. The interpretation offered by Jill Heydt-Stevenson is a bit convoluted but here are some excerpts:

"a flame I still deplore" refers to venereal disease.
The chimney sweep refers in part to a cure that involved applying mercury in such a way that shrouded the body and turned it into something that resembled a chimney. So the sweep (mercury) "fought the midway air,/ And soon he'd clear'd,/ with dextrous care,/ the bitter relicks of my flame."
The third stanza may refer to the folk belief that sex with a virgin offers a cure.

I also understand that to "get one's chimney swept out" is 18th century slang for sexual intercourse. (Farmer and Henley, Slang and Its Analogues Past and Present". Be on the lookout for any future JA references to chimney sweeping later in Emma.

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The Riddle SusanH (2/7/2011 12:35 p.m.)

Glad you brought it up BarbaraB (2/7/2011 2:09 p.m.)
- I like to think... Lauren Ashley (2/8/2011 4:35 a.m.)
  - I agree. Mr Woodhouse liked.... Reeba (2/8/2011 5:26 a.m.)
- Also a joke on Emma Louise H (2/8/2011 9:54 a.m.)
  - I didn't find the riddle.... Reeba (2/8/2011 10:04 a.m.)
    - What to make of this? Louise H (2/8/2011 5:35 p.m.)
      - Thanks. Yes, that's... Reeba (2/8/2011 6:16 p.m.)
      - Great Link, Thanks nfm BarbaraB (2/8/2011 9:16 p.m.)
      - Funny! Tarn (2/8/2011 10:25 p.m.)
  - Naivete Bridget T (2/9/2011 9:00 a.m.)
    - I always thought Ramya (2/9/2011 11:50 a.m.)
      - JA and us SusanH (2/9/2011 12:20 p.m.)
        
        read it through again to be quite certain Stephanie (2/12/2011 6:23 p.m.)
    - I think you've hit the nail on the head TimLee (2/9/2011 11:50 a.m.)
- JA a mystery Patricia AA (2/8/2011 10:15 a.m.)
- About that riddle SusanH (2/8/2011 10:24 a.m.)
  - Surely you jest? Patricia AA (2/8/2011 10:58 a.m.)
    - I've read it over several times and have to admit I AnnetteJ (2/8/2011 12:18 p.m.)
      - Its confusing Patricia AA (2/8/2011 12:42 p.m.)
      - Google Louise H (2/8/2011 12:54 p.m.)
      - Interpretations   SusanH (2/8/2011 1:31 p.m.)
        
        Thanks for your further research SusanH!   Patricia AA (2/8/2011 2:15 p.m.)
        
        My thanks as well! Talk about something obscure   AnnetteJ (2/8/2011 4:30 p.m.)
        
        It didn't remind her of his wife.   Graciela (2/8/2011 7:07 p.m.)
  - We are told...... Reeba (2/8/2011 4:34 p.m.)
- I can see.. Rabab (2/9/2011 5:34 a.m.)
  - set out and ready, and moved forwards to the fire Stephanie (2/12/2011 5:37 p.m.)
A Garrick-Woodhouse connection TimLee (2/7/2011 2:44 p.m.)
oh Tamtam (2/9/2011 10:56 p.m.)

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