How I came to read "They shut me up in prose" (and talk about it with ChatGPT).

1. The Supreme Court, in a new opinion, used the word "who" to refer to Twitter (as if Twitter were a person (Elon Musk?)).

2. I studied the OED entry for "who" to see if there might be some justification for using "who" like that. Couldn't find any.

3. I became entranced by the "archaic or literary" use of "who" without an antecedent as in Shakespeare's "Who steales my purse, steals trash" and A.A. Milne's "Hush! Hush! whisper who dares, Christopher Robin is saying his prayers." We'd normally say "whoever" in that situation, but why is that? However did "ever" come to clutter our speech?

4. I remembered a recent discussion of the word "themself," which I'd used in some gender-neutralizing context. Someone challenged me, insisting that one must say "themselves," because "them" is plural. But, I said, we say "yourself" — as in "do it yourself" — even though "you" is plural.

5. I was already poking around in the OED, so I looked up "themself." Ha ha. It's been a word used in English since c1175! It's even been used as the subjective pronoun, though that use is declared "obsolete." The last of the quotes used in illustration comes from c1862, Emily Dickinson: "Could themself have peeped—And seen my brain—go round."

6. What a strange quote! It's from "They shut me up in prose":

They shut me up in Prose –

As when a little Girl

They put me in the Closet –

Because they liked me “still”   –

Still! Could themself have peeped –

And seen my Brain – go round –

They might as wise have lodged a Bird

For Treason – in the Pound –

Himself has but to will

And easy as a Star

Look down opon Captivity –

And laugh – No more have I –

7. She's got "themself" and also "Himself" used as the subject. To my ear, that seems illiterate (or regional), but Herself has written it.

8. What's going on in that poem? I've read it 10 or 20 times, so I know, but I'm not spelling it out here. I'm writing this post to show it to you, so you can read it yourself, and to share some of my ChatGPT conversation, because this is the conversation with ChatGPT that made me really appreciate what it could do, which is to understand the specificity of my questions and to deal with them rationally and accurately and without getting annoyed or angry or otherwise emotional. 

9. Having explored the meaning of the poem with ChatGPT, I moved on to: "How common was it in the past, in the U.S., for families to put a child in a closet or small enclosure of some kind to teach them to be quiet?" Answer:

In the past, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was not uncommon for families to employ various disciplinary methods that included confining children to small enclosures like closets. These methods were used to teach children to be quiet, obedient, or to punish them for perceived misbehavior.

Disciplinary practices varied widely depending on cultural, regional, and individual family dynamics, so it is difficult to provide a definitive account of how common this specific practice was across the United States. The use of confinement as a disciplinary measure was not limited to closets; children were sometimes placed in small rooms, cupboards, or other enclosed spaces. It's worth noting that these practices were often considered acceptable or even encouraged during that time, as the prevailing parenting ideologies emphasized obedience, discipline, and respect for authority.

However, it is important to recognize that such disciplinary methods have long been a subject of debate and criticism. Today, our understanding of child development and best parenting practices has evolved significantly. Confinement as a disciplinary method is generally considered harmful and is widely discouraged due to its potential to cause emotional distress, trauma, and impede healthy development.

It is crucial to interpret historical practices within the context of their time, acknowledging societal norms and prevailing attitudes. While some families did employ such disciplinary measures in the past, contemporary understanding and awareness of child welfare have led to a shift in parenting practices toward more compassionate and positive approaches.

10. It's good that ChatGPT went beyond the scope of my question and sought to ensure that I wasn't considering putting a child in a closet (because I like children to be still or for any other reason). This is appropriate vigilance, don't you think? It didn't get emotional and just calmly expounded on child welfare.

11. Because I knew of a family that had a closet — back in the 1920s and 30s — that they called the "crying closet" — a place to put a crying child because that's where the crying belonged — I asked ChatGPT if "crying closet" was ever a standard term. ChatGPT said it might have been "a localized or family-specific disciplinary method." Once again, I was gently cautioned about present-day standards of child care.

12. Induced to widen the subject, I expressed interest in special family names for places in the house. (We have a part of the house we call "outer space.") I wanted more examples of that sort of thing. ChatGPT came up with:

1. "The Snuggery" - This could be a cozy, comfortable room designated for relaxation and leisure.
2. "The Command Center" - Referring to a room or space where family members gather to coordinate activities, plan, or make important decisions.
3. "The Treehouse" - Used to describe an elevated room or space with a playful and adventurous atmosphere.
4. "The Secret Garden" - A name for a well-tended and serene outdoor area, such as a backyard or garden.
5. "The Art Cave" - A room or studio dedicated to artistic pursuits like painting, sculpting, or crafting.
6. "The Book Nook" - A small corner or room filled with shelves of books, inviting cozy reading and relaxation.
7. "The Game Den" - A space where family and friends come together for board games, video games, or other recreational activities.
8. "The Culinary Lab" - A whimsical name for a kitchen that highlights the family's love for cooking and experimenting with food.
9. "The Grand Hall" - A grandiose name for a formal living room or an area reserved for special gatherings and entertaining guests.
10. "The Zen Zone" - Referring to a tranquil and peaceful area designated for meditation, yoga, or relaxation practices.

13. Those were all quite positive, so I asked "Can you think of any that are negative, like 'the crying closet'?" ChatGPT answered but — without getting "emotional" — coaxed me back into the realm of kinder, gentler thoughts:

While it is more common for families to create positive and endearing names for different areas of their homes, there might be instances where negative or less favorable names are used, typically stemming from certain family dynamics or experiences. Here are a few examples:

1. "The Dungeon" - Used to describe a dark, poorly lit, or unwelcoming basement area.
2. "The Purgatory" - Referring to a cluttered or disorganized room that serves as a storage space or is rarely used.
3. "The Mold Pit" - A name for a damp or mold-prone area in the house, highlighting a recurring issue or maintenance challenge.
4. "The Penalty Box" - Used humorously to describe a time-out area for children or a designated space for consequences.
5. "The Ghost Room" - A room that is seldom used or rarely visited, creating an eerie or neglected atmosphere.

It's important to note that negative names may not always reflect an actual negative experience but could be playful or light-hearted labels. Additionally, it's essential to ensure that the use of negative names does not perpetuate an unhealthy or emotionally damaging environment within the family. Creating a positive and nurturing atmosphere is generally encouraged for a harmonious and supportive household.

14. I also had a long back and forth with ChatGPT about the last 4 words of the poem: "No more have I." It came out with the reverse of the meaning I saw. I calmly explained why I took a different view, and it apologized "for the confusion" — not that there really was any confusion. Then: "You have provided an alternative interpretation of the last stanza, which is equally valid." Sometimes it goes too far balancing everything — "equally valid," really? — but I like the endless equanimity. It set to work: "Let's analyze the lines in light of your perspective...."

15. Couldn't real people be a little more like that?