Poll
(Love and Semantics) In Vernon God Little, Vern is on the run and out of money. Suddenly, his dream girl shows up with $600! His comment, in his ironic interior monologue:
"One thing to be proud of: I don't respond to the flood of joy-hormones, the ones that make you want to smell flowers, or say I love you. I contain myself like a man."
If Vern had told the girl that he loved her, would he have been promising something or asking for some kind of promise from her?
"One thing to be proud of: I don't respond to the flood of joy-hormones, the ones that make you want to smell flowers, or say I love you. I contain myself like a man."
If Vern had told the girl that he loved her, would he have been promising something or asking for some kind of promise from her?
Yes, he would have been making a promise to her. For example, he would have been promising that her well-being was important to him, and that he would always, or for a long time, care about her.
As immediately above, and he was also promising not to make the same offer to anyone else.
Yes, he would have been asking for a promise from her. For example, he wanted an assurance from her that his well-being was important to her, and that she would always, or for a long time, care about him.
As immediately above, but he also wanted her to promise not to make the same offer to anyone else.
Yes, he would have been offering a reciprocal arrangement. For example, he promises to care about her if she feels the same way about him, or something like that.
As immediately above, but both sides must promise not to make the same offer to anyone else.
Yes, he would have been promising something more complicated that doesn’t fit any of the above.
He would have been promising something, but he would have been lying.
He wouldn’t have been promising anything or asking for any kind of promise.
Poll added by: Manny
