| Clutching My Pearls is about Jane Austen and the times she lived in. Click here for the first in the series. |
CMP#144: Mrs. Elton's Advice, or, Chat GPT writes my blog post for me
Some of you might know more about Chat GPT than I do, and some might know less. I hadn't paid much attention to the whole AI and Chat GPT thing, but recently, I had the idea of writing an advice column on how to be a good conversationalist, as though written by Mrs. Elton from Emma.
I thought about the various points I could put in there, such as "the more you talk about yourself, the sooner people will get to know you, and the better they will like you," And, "If you have relatives who live in a very grand way, be sure to work them into the conversation as often as you can."
Then I thought, I wonder if Chat GPT can do this? So I asked it to "write an advice column as if you were Mrs. Elton in Jane Austen's novel Emma, on the topic of being a good conversationalist." Almost immediately, the writing started scrolling across the screen. Here is the result...
I thought about the various points I could put in there, such as "the more you talk about yourself, the sooner people will get to know you, and the better they will like you," And, "If you have relatives who live in a very grand way, be sure to work them into the conversation as often as you can."
Then I thought, I wonder if Chat GPT can do this? So I asked it to "write an advice column as if you were Mrs. Elton in Jane Austen's novel Emma, on the topic of being a good conversationalist." Almost immediately, the writing started scrolling across the screen. Here is the result...
Dear Readers,
It is with utmost pleasure and delight that I, Mrs. Augusta Elton, take up my pen to offer you my esteemed advice on the art of conversation. As an individual of superior breeding and impeccable social standing, I consider myself an authority on the subject. Allow me to enlighten you on the essential qualities required to become a truly accomplished conversationalist.
First and foremost, it is imperative to have a deep understanding of one's own importance. Always remember, dear readers, that you are the central figure in any conversation. Your opinions, experiences, and anecdotes are of utmost significance. Ensure that your interlocutors are aware of this fact by confidently sharing your thoughts and stories, sparing no details of your personal triumphs and accomplishments. After all, who can resist the charm of a well-told tale?
Secondly, it is essential to be well-informed on a wide array of subjects. A true conversationalist must possess a breadth of knowledge that exceeds that of the common masses. Familiarize yourself with the latest fashion trends, political affairs, and cultural events. This will enable you to engage in stimulating discussions, gracefully steering the conversation towards topics in which you excel.
It is with utmost pleasure and delight that I, Mrs. Augusta Elton, take up my pen to offer you my esteemed advice on the art of conversation. As an individual of superior breeding and impeccable social standing, I consider myself an authority on the subject. Allow me to enlighten you on the essential qualities required to become a truly accomplished conversationalist.
First and foremost, it is imperative to have a deep understanding of one's own importance. Always remember, dear readers, that you are the central figure in any conversation. Your opinions, experiences, and anecdotes are of utmost significance. Ensure that your interlocutors are aware of this fact by confidently sharing your thoughts and stories, sparing no details of your personal triumphs and accomplishments. After all, who can resist the charm of a well-told tale?
Secondly, it is essential to be well-informed on a wide array of subjects. A true conversationalist must possess a breadth of knowledge that exceeds that of the common masses. Familiarize yourself with the latest fashion trends, political affairs, and cultural events. This will enable you to engage in stimulating discussions, gracefully steering the conversation towards topics in which you excel.
Furthermore, one must possess the art of subtlety when guiding a conversation. Skillfully direct the discourse to subjects that best showcase your wit and intelligence, while avoiding areas in which you might be lacking. Remember, dear readers, it is far better to shine in a few select areas than to risk exposing oneself as an ignoramus.
Maintaining a superior attitude is also crucial when engaging in conversation. Display your refined taste and impeccable manners at all times. Do not hesitate to offer advice or correction to those less enlightened than yourself. Polite condescension, delivered with an air of magnanimity, is sure to captivate your audience and establish your superior position as a conversationalist par excellence.
Lastly, a true master of conversation knows the importance of verbal eloquence. Cultivate a sophisticated vocabulary and employ it liberally, thus impressing upon others your superior intellect and linguistic prowess. Be mindful of your tone, ensuring that it conveys a sense of authority and elegance. Remember, dear readers, eloquence is the hallmark of a refined individual.
In conclusion, dear readers, to become a truly accomplished conversationalist, one must possess unwavering self-assurance, a broad knowledge base, the art of subtlety, a superior attitude, and impeccable verbal eloquence. By embodying these qualities, you are sure to become the life of any social gathering, captivating all with your engaging discourse.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Augusta Elton
Maintaining a superior attitude is also crucial when engaging in conversation. Display your refined taste and impeccable manners at all times. Do not hesitate to offer advice or correction to those less enlightened than yourself. Polite condescension, delivered with an air of magnanimity, is sure to captivate your audience and establish your superior position as a conversationalist par excellence.
Lastly, a true master of conversation knows the importance of verbal eloquence. Cultivate a sophisticated vocabulary and employ it liberally, thus impressing upon others your superior intellect and linguistic prowess. Be mindful of your tone, ensuring that it conveys a sense of authority and elegance. Remember, dear readers, eloquence is the hallmark of a refined individual.
In conclusion, dear readers, to become a truly accomplished conversationalist, one must possess unwavering self-assurance, a broad knowledge base, the art of subtlety, a superior attitude, and impeccable verbal eloquence. By embodying these qualities, you are sure to become the life of any social gathering, captivating all with your engaging discourse.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs. Augusta Elton
I'm gobsmacked at this technology. I'm amazed that Chat GPT "gets" Mrs. Elton. I presume it did this by instantaneously reviewing the novel along with decades of academic commentary on Mrs. Elton. In a matter of seconds, it synthesized all this information. I didn't instruct Chat GPT to write the piece in an ironic style, but it did. It accurately reflects that Mrs. Elton completely lacks self-awareness of how she comes across as condescending and ignorant. Just wow. Interesting but scary, too. Perhaps I could quibble and say she would sign herself "Mrs. Philip Elton," because that is the more traditional way of referring to a married lady with "Mrs." But perhaps Chat GPT knows that replicating some conventions of the past just confuses modern audiences, like calling your "sister-in-law" your "sister," as people did in Austen's day.
What would a modern-day Mrs. Elton do?
Mrs. Eltons walk amongst us today. Although it seems that with the younger generation, the surest way to gain distinction amongst your companions is to trade in victimhood, not just brag about your brother-in-law's barouche-landau. Augusta Hawkins circa 2023 would be telling us about the privations, injustices and hardships she endured while growing up in Bristol. Orphaned at an early age, and sent to live with an uncle, her entire life could be recast as a tragedy.
Both the original Mrs. Elton and her modern counterpart do not see social interaction as a give-and-take of ideas and pleasantries, but as an opportunity to talk about themselves. While Austen's Mrs. Elton does the usual humble-bragging and dispenses advice, the modern Mrs. Elton does not see a distinction between a social conversation and a therapeutic one. Without invitation or preamble, she will disclose intimate details of her life and her emotional state in a way that Austen would find shockingly disconcerting and vulgar. She is not especially interested in hearing some kind of reciprocal unburdening of your own hardships and traumas. You are there as her audience, remember.
Mrs. Eltons walk amongst us today. Although it seems that with the younger generation, the surest way to gain distinction amongst your companions is to trade in victimhood, not just brag about your brother-in-law's barouche-landau. Augusta Hawkins circa 2023 would be telling us about the privations, injustices and hardships she endured while growing up in Bristol. Orphaned at an early age, and sent to live with an uncle, her entire life could be recast as a tragedy.
Both the original Mrs. Elton and her modern counterpart do not see social interaction as a give-and-take of ideas and pleasantries, but as an opportunity to talk about themselves. While Austen's Mrs. Elton does the usual humble-bragging and dispenses advice, the modern Mrs. Elton does not see a distinction between a social conversation and a therapeutic one. Without invitation or preamble, she will disclose intimate details of her life and her emotional state in a way that Austen would find shockingly disconcerting and vulgar. She is not especially interested in hearing some kind of reciprocal unburdening of your own hardships and traumas. You are there as her audience, remember.
Mrs. Elton is often discussed nowadays in terms of her connections to Bristol, or more specifically, in terms of her possible connection to the slave trade. I explore this in some detail in a series on portrayals of Bristol merchants and their families. The first post of that series is here. Mrs. Elton is not held up to scorn in Emma because her dowry derived in whole or in part from the slave trade, but because she was a pretentious social climber.
As for Chat GPT, I know that I'll continue writing because it gives me pleasure, but I'll continue to experiment with the capabilities of this new technology, too.
Previous post: Is Willoughby a "knave or a fool"? Next post: Stock 18th century characters: the Amazon
As for Chat GPT, I know that I'll continue writing because it gives me pleasure, but I'll continue to experiment with the capabilities of this new technology, too.
Previous post: Is Willoughby a "knave or a fool"? Next post: Stock 18th century characters: the Amazon
 Congratulations to Mark Brownlow on the release of "The Hunsford Curse," his third Charlotte (Lucas) Collins mystery! Mark stands out among writers of JAFF for his Austenesque wit. Available at Amazon. |
RSS Feed