Artemus Ward: Respected Sir—My wife was afflicted with the…
““Artemus Ward: Respected Sir—My wife was afflicted with the pipsywipsy in the head for nearly eight years. The doctors all gave her up. But in a fortunate moment she went to one of your lectures, and commenced recovering very rapidly. She is now in perfect health. We like your lectures very much. Please send me a box of them. They are purely vegetable. Send me another five dollar bill and I’ll write you another certificate twice as long as this. Yours,””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A humorous, exaggerated request for more lectures, treating them as a commodity and joking about payment.
In simple terms: The writer jokes about wanting more lectures and paying for them.
Key Takeaway
Don’t take requests too seriously; enjoy humor.
Themes
humor
exaggeration
request
commodification
Mood
playful
mocking
lighthearted
Type
literary
social
cultural
When to use this quote
- personal letters
- public speaking events
- marketing jokes
Key Concepts
satire
communication
social commentary
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this humor reveal about audience expectations?
- How does satire affect perception of value?
A Different Perspective
The tone may be misinterpreted as insincere.