Alleyways and Larger Areas

[The English Gardener]

But that's not even nearly the same as "They considered themselves as Unfortunates not Prostitutes." Believe me, you do something as a last resort with a much greater sense of the reality of your position. As a statement what you say has merit, for it shows an understanding of the motivations of many of the women in '80s Whitechapel who became prostitutes. But s a correction it gets a no no because it assumes that those women {or men} didn't consider themselves prostitutes. They did, as you correctly demonstrate.

[BLUE WIZZARD]

But that's not even nearly the same as "They considered themselves as Unfortunates not Prostitutes." Believe me, you do something as a last resort with a much greater sense of the reality of your position. As a statement what you say has merit, for it shows an understanding of the motivations of many of the women in '80s Whitechapel who became prostitutes. But s a correction it gets a no no because it assumes that those women {or men} didn't consider themselves prostitutes. They did, as you correctly demonstrate.

I like the way you write sir.

It was not only the people of whitechapel that considered themselves as unfortunates but the people of high society as well that called them Unfortunates because of their situation. I understand your point and I agree with it. but do you agree that it was unfortunate for them to have to be prostitutes?

BW

[Chava]

It was extremely unfortunate for them. However 'unfortunate' was a common euphemism for 'prostitute' in 19th Century England.

[BLUE WIZZARD]

It was extremely unfortunate for them. However 'unfortunate' was a common euphemism for 'prostitute' in 19th Century England.

Sorry Chava but don't you mean "whores"?

BW

[Chava]

Sorry, I should have said 'whore'.

[BLUE WIZZARD]

Sorry, I should have said 'whore'.

Thank you Chava that was more like you.

BW

[The English Gardener]

I like the way you write sir.

It was not only the people of whitechapel that considered themselves as unfortunates but the people of high society as well that called them Unfortunates because of their situation. I understand your point and I agree with it. but do you agree that it was unfortunate for them to have to be prostitutes?

BW

Thank you for your kind words.
I certainly agree that they were - in every respect - unfortunate. They lived a twighlight life in a twilight world which was the satellite of the economic boom of Victorian Britain, shining from its home in the City literally just across the road {that road being Bishopsgate}. Within the richest city in the world was the underclass so often represented by the East End. No carriage, servants or comforts for them, they eked out their lives by whatever means came to hand. Many were simply feckless. But given the chances that their lives in this Utopia afforded them, it could be argued that there was little point in them being otherwise. The Abyss that Jack London would describe in eloquent terms some years later wasn't one from whihc too many could even hope to climb out of. It wasn't {and this is probably the single most tragic factor} neccessarily even desperation which drove people to sell whatever they had {for these were people who saw little distinction between pawning their boots and providing a tupenny upright for whoever wanted it}. That this was the only way for anyone to have to live is probably the greatest tragedy of the Victorian Age. But his was the harsh reality of life for many. While the City and the West End enjoyed life around The Park and enjoyed the benefits that gave rise to the saying "To be born British is to win first prize in the lottery of life" the East End struggled in its uphill battle to even stay alive. "London Life And The London Poor" was a valiant attempt to appeal to the more fortunate citizens but for the wider part denial was the easier option. Denial that there was a problem, denial that these people were society's problem and a denial of what was actually happening to many of the women of the East End. This is how London lived. And, as Chava has succinctly pointed out, it was much easier on the sensitivities of polite society's "betters" to think of those who fell below acceptable levels of conduct as "Unfortunates". So much nicer word than "Prostitute". Incidentally, do you draw a distinction between "Prostitute" and "Whore", or are you engaging in some kind of lexicographical horseplay to which I'm not party?

[BLUE WIZZARD]

The English Gardener,

It was a Joke,

Chava was standing his/her ground on that Whore was a word of choice instead of Prostitute, so when he/she said prostitute I just reminded him/her of what he/she said about whore as being a word of choice. I hope Chava realized it was in joking only.

BW