Autobiography_NN1 as_CSA Professional_JJ Ethic_NN1 :_: Fanny_NP1 Fern_NP1 's_GE Vision_NN1 of_IO Literary_JJ Partnership_NN1 Public_NN1 controversy_NN1 --_NN1 displays_NN2 of_IO wild_JJ unfettered_JJ rage_NN1 and_CC aggression_NN1 in_II broad_JJ daylight_NN1 between_II respected_JJ figures_NN2 otherwise_RR known_VVN as_II proper_JJ ladies_NN2 and_CC gentlemen_NN2 --_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX uncommon_JJ in_II the_AT streets_NN2 of_IO antebellum_NN1 New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 ._. 
Victims_NN2 of_IO famous_JJ author_NN1 Nathaniel_NP1 Parker_NP1 Willis_NP1 's_GE infidelity_NN1 openly_RR aired_VVD their_APPGE rage_NN1 on_II a_AT1 national_JJ stage_NN1 ,_, as_CSA the_AT most_RRT talked_VVN about_II romantic_JJ rivalry_NN1 at_II the_AT time_NNT1 drew_VVD Willis_NP1 ,_, Home_NN1 Journal_NN1 editor_NN1 and_CC fastidious_JJ dandy_NN1 ,_, into_II the_AT unforgiving_JJ glare_NN1 of_IO the_AT public_JJ spotlight_NN1 ._. 
The_AT spectacle_NN1 occurred_VVD in_II 1850_MC on_II a_AT1 June_NPM1 evening_NNT1 in_II New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 's_GE Washington_NP1 Square_NNL1 ,_, where_CS famous_JJ actor_NN1 Edwin_NP1 Forrest_NP1 flogged_VVD Willis_NP1 prostrate_JJ with_IW a_AT1 school_NN1 master_NN1 's_GE gutta-percha_JJ whip_NN1 (_( made_VVN from_II natural_JJ rubber_NN1 introduced_VVN to_II the_AT West_ND1 in_II 1843_MC )_) before_II an_AT1 astonished_JJ crowd_NN1 of_IO onlookers_NN2 ._. 
Merchants_NN2 ,_, vagrants_NN2 ,_, and_CC bystanders_NN2 rushing_VVG to_II Willis_NP1 's_GE aid_NN1 withdrew_VVD immediately_RR when_CS Forrest_NP1 screamed_VVD ,_, "_" this_DD1 man_NN1 is_VBZ the_AT seducer_NN1 of_IO my_APPGE wife_NN1 !_! "_" (_( qtd._NNU in_II Baker_NP1 115_MC )_) ._. 
To_TO make_VVI matters_NN2 worse_JJR for_IF Willis_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE sister_NN1 Fanny_NN1 Fern_NN1 would_VM deliver_VVI ,_, in_II many_DA2 ways_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 more_RGR painful_JJ and_CC lasting_JJ drubbing_NN1 in_II her_APPGE autobiographical_JJ rags-to-riches_JJ novel_NN1 ,_, Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 ._. 
As_II the_AT novel_NN1 presents_VVZ it_PPH1 ,_, Willis_NP1 's_GE sin_NN1 against_II her_PPHO1 ,_, like_II his_APPGE crime_NN1 against_II Forrest_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ also_RR infidelity_NN1 ,_, only_RR of_IO the_AT filial_JJ sort_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 coldly_RR spurned_VVD her_APPGE desperate_JJ requests_NN2 for_IF aid_NN1 in_II launching_VVG a_AT1 literary_JJ career_NN1 to_TO escape_VVI the_AT acute_JJ poverty_NN1 threatening_VVG the_AT welfare_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE children_NN2 ._. 
Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 indicts_VVZ Willis_NP1 for_IF breaching_VVG codes_NN2 of_IO sibling_NN1 sympathy_NN1 and_CC succor_NN1 ,_, loyalty_NN1 and_CC protection_NN1 ,_, virtually_RR unpardonable_JJ transgressions_NN2 by_II antebellum_NN1 standards_NN2 ._. 
If_CS Willis_NP1 was_VBDZ the_AT wrong_JJ literary_JJ brother_NN1 ,_, then_RT Oliver_NP1 Dyer_NP1 ,_, editor_NN1 of_IO the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Musical_JJ World_NN1 and_CC Times_NNT2 ,_, who_PNQS is_VBZ John_NP1 Walter_NP1 in_II Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ Mr._NNB Right_NP1 ,_, the_AT capital_NN1 companion_NN1 and_CC literary_JJ partner_NN1 she_PPHS1 needed_VVD to_TO realize_VVI her_APPGE full_JJ literary_JJ and_CC commercial_JJ potential_NN1 ._. 
All_DB the_AT repellent_JJ features_NN2 of_IO Willis_NP1 were_VBDR rectified_VVN in_II Dyer_NP1 and_CC later_RRR in_II Robert_NP1 Bonner_NP1 ,_, editor_NN1 of_IO the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Ledger_NP1 ._. 
Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 embodies_VVZ Dyer_NP1 and_CC Bonner_NP1 's_GE patronage_NN1 of_IO generous_JJ financial_JJ protection_NN1 ,_, investment_NN1 and_CC loyalty_NN1 exceeded_VVD only_RR by_II the_AT tender_JJ warmth_NN1 of_IO the_AT sympathetic_JJ tears_NN2 he_PPHS1 sheds_VVZ at_II several_DA2 key_JJ moments_NN2 in_II the_AT novel_NN1 ,_, the_AT most_RGT telling_JJ &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 210_MC &rsqb;_) of_IO which_DDQ is_VBZ when_RRQ he_PPHS1 first_MD sees_VVZ Ruth_NP1 's_GE impoverished_JJ living_JJ condition_NN1 ._. 
As_II the_AT foil_NN1 to_II Hyacinth_NN1 Ellet_NN1 ,_, Willis_NP1 's_GE fictional_JJ counterpart_NN1 in_II Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 ,_, Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 reflects_VVZ Fern_NN1 's_GE code_NN1 of_IO literary_JJ business_NN1 ethics_NN and_CC practice_NN1 in_II the_AT guise_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 "_" real_JJ ,_, warm-hearted_JJ ,_, brotherly_JJ brother_NN1 such_II21 as_II22 she_PPHS1 had_VHD never_RR known_VVN "_" (_( Ruth_NP1 144_MC )_) ._. 
While_CS Hyacinth_NN1 may_VM wear_VVI the_AT clothes_NN2 and_CC pantomime_NN1 the_AT manners_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 gentleman_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 lacks_VVZ the_AT love_NN1 and_CC loyalty_NN1 that_CST Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 provides_VVZ ._. 
This_DD1 essay_NN1 establishes_VVZ that_CST Fern_NP1 's_GE business_NN1 ethic_NN1 borrows_VVZ liberally_RR from_II the_AT larger_JJR culture_NN1 's_GE obsession_NN1 with_IW filial_JJ love_NN1 and_CC sympathy_NN1 and_CC imagines_VVZ its_APPGE superior_JJ function_NN1 within_II the_AT context_NN1 of_IO laissez-faire_NN1 capitalism_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE attendant_JJ radical_JJ individualism_NN1 taking_VVG hold_NN1 in_II the_AT young_JJ Republic_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 argue_VV0 that_CST Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 offered_VVD the_AT print_NN1 culture_NN1 a_AT1 clear_JJ code_NN1 of_IO ethics_NN governing_JJ publication_NN1 practice_NN1 ,_, deftly_RR combining_VVG the_AT cultural_JJ premium_NN1 of_IO sympathy_NN1 ,_, especially_RR as_CSA articulated_VVN through_II the_AT dynamics_NN of_IO sibling_NN1 love_NN1 ,_, with_IW a_AT1 strong_JJ belief_NN1 in_II economic_JJ independence_NN1 promised_VVN to_II the_AT champions_NN2 of_IO laissez-faire_NN1 capitalism_NN1 ._. 
Fern_NN1 's_GE emphasis_NN1 on_II the_AT filial_JJ love_NN1 at_II the_AT heart_NN1 of_IO the_AT best_JJT business_NN1 partnerships_NN2 speaks_VVZ to_II her_APPGE understanding_NN1 of_IO the_AT limitations_NN2 of_IO individualism_NN1 and_CC the_AT power_NN1 of_IO cooperative_JJ teamwork_NN1 ,_, adding_VVG a_AT1 crucial_JJ and_CC complicating_JJ dimension_NN1 to_II her_APPGE well-established_JJ independence_NN1 --_NN1 as_CSA seen_VVN in_II Joyce_NP1 Warren_NP1 's_GE groundbreaking_JJ biography_NN1 Fanny_NN1 Fern_NN1 :_: An_AT1 Independent_JJ Woman_NN1 --_NN1 for_IF which_DDQ Fern_NN1 has_VHZ justifiably_RR become_VV0 an_AT1 icon_NN1 in_II literary_JJ history_NN1 ._. 
Ruth_NP1 and_CC Gertrude_NP1 shun_NN1 marriage_NN1 to_TO take_VVI a_AT1 stand_NN1 against_II the_AT abuses_NN2 legally_RR condoned_VVN within_II the_AT institution_NN1 of_IO marriage_NN1 ._. 
Their_APPGE hollow_JJ spousal_NN1 love_NN1 is_VBZ now_RT replaced_VVN by_II fulfilling_VVG filial_JJ affection_NN1 for_IF John_NP1 &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 219_MC &rsqb;_) Walter_NP1 and_CC John_NP1 Perry_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS are_VBR not_XX only_RR brotherly_JJ confidants_NN2 but_CCB also_RR professional_JJ advocates_NN2 ._. 
While_CS this_DD1 sort_NN1 of_IO love_NN1 fosters_VVZ economic_JJ independence_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 significantly_RR refigures_VVZ promiscuity_NN1 in_II the_AT successful_JJ forms_NN2 of_IO literary_JJ popularity_NN1 ,_, promotion_NN1 and_CC publicity_NN1 ._. 
Melissa_NP1 Homestead_NN1 astutely_RR notes_VVZ that_CST the_AT frequent_JJ poaching_NN1 of_IO Fern_NN1 's_GE columns_NN2 early_RR in_II her_APPGE career_NN1 made_VVD her_PPHO1 appear_VV0 a_AT1 "_" woman_NN1 of_IO easy_JJ virtue_NN1 "_" and_CC a_AT1 "_" hot_JJ commodity_NN1 "_" (_( 210_MC )_) ._. 
In_II Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 ,_, this_DD1 association_NN1 of_IO popular_JJ female_JJ authorship_NN1 with_IW sexual_JJ accessibility_NN1 is_VBZ illustrated_VVN by_II the_AT situation_NN1 of_IO Ruth_NP1 's_GE residence_NN1 in_II the_AT boarding_NN1 house_NN1 across_RL from_II the_AT brothel_NN1 ._. 
Thus_RR Ruth_NP1 's_GE (_( and_CC Gertrude_NP1 's_GE )_) apparent_JJ desexualization_NN1 through_II their_APPGE swearing_NN1 off_II21 of_II22 male_JJ lovers_NN2 and_CC husbands_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT ministerial_JJ Walter_NP1 and_CC Perry_NP1 are_VBR portrayed_VVN with_IW little_JJ or_CC no_AT erotic_JJ appeal_NN1 --_NN1 is_VBZ replaced_VVN in_RR21 part_RR22 by_II adoring_JJ male_NN1 fans_VVZ interested_JJ in_II her_APPGE physicality_NN1 ,_, especially_RR in_II Fern_NN1 's_VBZ oft_RR cited_VVN 1870_MC New_NP1 York_NP1 Ledger_NP1 column_NN1 ,_, "_" How_RRQ I_PPIS1 Look_VV0 ,_, "_" and_CC in_II the_AT epistolary_JJ solicitations_NN2 of_IO Ruth_NP1 's_GE bust_NN1 and_CC hand_NN1 in_II marriage_NN1 in_II Ruth_NP1 Hall_NN1 ._. 
The_AT placement_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 female_JJ identity_NN1 in_II the_AT marketplace_NN1 as_II an_AT1 in-demand_JJ public_JJ good_JJ (_( and_CC entertainment_NN1 service_NN1 )_) takes_VVZ on_RP these_DD2 "_" working_VVG woman_NN1 "_" connotations_NN2 ,_, ironically_RR enough_RR ,_, while_CS portraying_VVG the_AT protagonists_NN2 as_CSA so_RG chaste_JJ as_CSA to_TO be_VBI beyond_II remarriage_NN1 ._. 
Ruth_NP1 cites_VVZ her_APPGE dead_JJ first_MD husband_NN1 as_CSA her_APPGE reason_NN1 to_TO never_RR remarry_VVI ,_, invoking_VVG in_II a_AT1 romantic_JJ context_NN1 the_AT commercial_JJ language_NN1 of_IO trade_NN1 courtesy_NN1 --_NN1 recognition_NN1 of_IO and_CC respect_NN1 for_IF a_AT1 publisher_NN1 's_GE exclusive_JJ right_NN1 to_II an_AT1 author_NN1 upon_II establishing_VVG a_AT1 prior_JJ claim_NN1 to_II her_APPGE writing_NN1 --_NN1 that_CST Fern_NP1 's_GE own_DA popularity_NN1 in_II the_AT market_NN1 was_VBDZ rapidly_RR eroding_JJ ._. 
"_" 'My_JJ husband_NN1 has_VHZ the_AT first_MD claim_NN1 ,_, '_GE said_VVD Ruth_NP1 ,_, resuming_VVG her_APPGE place_NN1 by_II his_APPGE bedside_NN1 ,_, "_" and_CC thus_RR she_PPHS1 remains_VVZ not_XX only_RR unwilling_JJ to_TO hire_VVI a_AT1 nurse_NN1 to_TO watch_VVI over_RP his_APPGE dying_JJ days_NNT2 ,_, but_CCB also_RR refuses_VVZ a_AT1 replacement_NN1 husband_NN1 for_IF herself_PPX1 (_( Fern_NN1 ,_, Ruth_NP1 221_MC )_) ._. 
She_PPHS1 is_VBZ "_" married_JJ "_" to_II his_APPGE memory_NN1 which_DDQ is_VBZ invoked_VVN on_II the_AT last_MD page_NN1 of_IO the_AT novel_NN1 as_CSA she_PPHS1 solemnly_RR broods_VVZ over_RP his_APPGE tombstone_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT understanding_NN1 Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 looking_VVG on_RP :_: "_" There_EX was_VBDZ a_AT1 vacant_JJ place_NN1 left_VVN by_II the_AT side_NN1 of_IO Harry_NP1 --_NN1 Ruth_NP1 's_GE eye_NN1 rested_VVN on_II it_PPH1 --_JJ then_RT on_II her_APPGE children_NN2 --_NN1 then_RT on_II Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 "_" (_( Fern_NN1 ,_, Ruth_NP1 221_MC )_) ._. 
Fern_NN1 delineates_VVZ rather_RG bluntly_RR for_IF her_APPGE conservative_JJ readers_NN2 the_AT moral_JJ hierarchy_NN1 of_IO Ruth_NP1 's_GE life_NN1 that_CST places_VVZ her_APPGE wifely_JJ domestic_JJ role_NN1 above_II all_DB ,_, a_AT1 gesture_NN1 far_RG more_RGR complex_JJ than_CSN it_PPH1 appears_VVZ ,_, as_CSA it_PPH1 is_VBZ carefully_RR designed_VVN to_TO temper_VVI the_AT triumphant_JJ image_NN1 of_IO her_PPHO1 wielding_VVG the_AT ten_MC thousand_NNO dollar_NNU1 check_NN1 two_MC pages_NN2 before_RT ._. 
Fern_NN1 's_GE slight_NN1 of_IO hand_NN1 here_RL is_VBZ remarkable_JJ :_: while_CS paying_VVG homage_NN1 to_II the_AT institution_NN1 of_IO marriage_NN1 ,_, Ruth_NP1 still_RR appears_VVZ very_RG much_DA1 reverent_JJ toward_II marriage_NN1 and_CC devoted_JJ to_II her_APPGE husband_NN1 ._. 
But_CCB ,_, as_CSA in_II the_AT case_NN1 of_IO St._NP1 John_NP1 at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO Jane_NP1 Eyre_NP1 ,_, with_IW whom_PNQO antebellum_NN1 readers_NN2 were_VBDR quite_RG familiar_JJ ,_, Harry_NP1 is_VBZ conveniently_RR put_VVN out_II21 of_II22 the_AT way_NN1 ,_, clearing_JJ space_NN1 for_IF her_APPGE marriage_NN1 to_II her_APPGE readership_NN1 ,_, managed_VVN and_CC officiated_VVN by_II Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 ._. 
The_AT scene_NN1 suggests_VVZ Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 ,_, thankfully_RR ,_, will_NN1 &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 220_MC &rsqb;_) never_RR fill_VV0 Harry_NP1 's_GE role_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ is_VBZ a_AT1 great_JJ benefit_NN1 to_II Ruth_NP1 ,_, as_CSA husbands_NN2 hamper_VV0 ,_, stymie_NN1 ,_, badger_NN1 ,_, and_CC drive_VV0 women_NN2 insane_JJ in_II this_DD1 novel_NN1 and_CC much_DA1 of_IO Fern_NN1 's_GE other_JJ writing_NN1 ._. 
Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 's_VBZ embodied_VVN presence_NN1 in_II the_AT final_JJ scene_NN1 speaks_VVZ to_II his_APPGE real_JJ involvement_NN1 with_IW and_CC support_VV0 for_IF Ruth_NP1 's_GE life_NN1 in_II contrast_NN1 to_II Harry_NP1 's_GE metonymic_JJ tombstone_NN1 ._. 
Further_RRR ,_, Mr._NNB Walter_NP1 is_VBZ an_AT1 emotionally_RR and_CC financially_RR available_JJ man_NN1 who_PNQS makes_VVZ no_AT sexual_JJ demands_NN2 upon_II her_PPHO1 ,_, unlike_II the_AT overwhelming_JJ majority_NN1 of_IO husbands_NN2 in_II Fern_NP1 's_GE fiction_NN1 ,_, most_RGT notably_RR ,_, Mr._NNB Leon_NP1 ,_, Mr._NNB Skiddy_NP1 ,_, and_CC Mr._NNB Stahle_NP1 ._. 
Harry_NP1 's_GE idealization_NN1 allows_VVZ Fern_NN1 to_TO maintain_VVI a_AT1 pious_JJ position_NN1 toward_II marriage_NN1 in_II the_AT novel_JJ to_TO placate_VVI a_AT1 significant_JJ portion_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE readership_NN1 ._. 
(_( Fern_NN1 was_VBDZ more_RGR financially_RR savvy_JJ than_CSN spiritually_RR devout_JJ in_II her_APPGE own_DA life_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, as_CSA she_PPHS1 insisted_VVD on_II a_AT1 prenuptial_JJ agreement_NN1 prior_II21 to_II22 marrying_VVG third_MD husband_NN1 James_NP1 Parton_NP1 ._. )_) 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ easy_JJ to_TO chuckle_VVI at_II the_AT gross_JJ exaggerations_NN2 involved_JJ in_II the_AT many_DA2 Spenser-Sidney_NP1 anecdotes_NN2 ,_, but_CCB these_DD2 stories_NN2 represent_VV0 more_DAR than_CSN just_RR wishful_JJ thinking_NN1 on_II41 the_II42 part_II43 of_II44 Spenser_NP1 's_GE seventeenth-century_JJ readers_NN2 ._. 
Rather_RR ,_, the_AT tales_NN2 illustrate_VV0 how_RRQ Spenser_NP1 was_VBDZ able_JK to_TO influence_VVI his_APPGE literary_JJ reputation_NN1 and_CC biographical_JJ record_NN1 ,_, even_RR after_II his_APPGE death_NN1 ,_, by_II having_VHG established_VVN readers_NN2 '_GE preconceptions_NN2 about_II his_APPGE social_JJ reputation_NN1 ._. 
Given_VVN the_AT paucity_NN1 of_IO historical_JJ data_NN on_II Spenser_NP1 --_NN1 which_DDQ extends_VVZ to_II the_AT present_JJ day_NNT1 --_NN1 biographers_NN2 gleaned_VVD most_DAT of_IO their_APPGE actual_JJ facts_NN2 from_II Spenser_NP1 's_GE own_DA writings_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 seems_VVZ quite_RG a_AT1 conscious_JJ choice_NN1 that_CST the_AT information_NN1 Spenser_NP1 highlighted_VVD for_IF posterity_NN1 was_VBDZ such_II21 as_II22 would_VM have_VHI emphasized_VVN his_APPGE claims_NN2 to_II status_NN1 ._. 
Throughout_II the_AT seventeenth_MD century_NNT1 ,_, Spenser_NP1 's_VBZ reputed_VVN social_JJ status_NN1 continued_VVD to_TO increase_VVI ._. 
His_APPGE close_JJ friendships_NN2 with_IW Sir_NNB Philip_NP1 Sidney_NP1 and_CC Sir_NNB Walter_NP1 Ralegh_NP1 ,_, his_APPGE connection_NN1 with_IW Essex_NP1 and_CC other_JJ members_NN2 of_IO the_AT nobility_NN1 ,_, and_CC other_JJ facts_NN2 and_CC non-facts_NN2 became_VVD the_AT details_NN2 that_CST supported_VVD an_AT1 image_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 as_II a_AT1 gentleman_NN1 who_PNQS was_VBDZ accepted_VVN as_II an_AT1 equal_JJ by_II his_PPGE legally_RR defined_VVN social_JJ betters_NN2 ._. 
The_AT image_NN1 remained_VVD compelling_VVG until_II John_NP1 Hughes_NP1 burst_VVD the_AT bubble_NN1 in_II 1715_MC ._. 
In_II &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 185_MC &rsqb;_) the_AT introduction_NN1 to_II his_APPGE edition_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE poetry_NN1 ,_, Hughes_NP1 appears_VVZ to_TO be_VBI the_AT first_MD of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE biographers_NN2 to_TO place_VVI factual_JJ accuracy_NN1 ahead_II21 of_II22 a_AT1 good_JJ story_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 writes_VVZ ,_, "_" Though_CS in_II the_AT dedication_NN1 of_IO one_MC1 or_CC two_MC of_IO his_APPGE poems_NN2 ,_, we_PPIS2 find_VV0 him_PPHO1 claiming_VVG affinity_NN1 with_IW some_DD persons_NN2 of_IO distinction_NN1 ,_, yet_RR his_APPGE fortune_NN1 and_CC interest_NN1 seem_VV0 at_II his_APPGE first_MD setting_VVG out_RP to_TO have_VHI been_VBN very_RG inconsiderable_JJ "_" (_( Hughes_NP1 vi_MC )_) ._. 
Hughes_NP1 also_RR reports_VVZ skeptically_RR on_II some_DD of_IO the_AT Spenser_NP1 legends_NN2 that_CST had_VHD circulated_VVN in_II the_AT seventeenth_MD century_NNT1 ,_, noting_VVG ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, the_AT Sidney_NP1 Ninth_MD Canto_NN1 story_NN1 with_IW the_AT reservation_NN1 that_CST he_PPHS1 did_VDD not_XX know_VVI "_" how_RGQ far_RR it_PPH1 may_VM appear_VVI worthy_JJ of_IO Credit_NN1 "_" (_( Hughes_NP1 viii_MC ;_; see_VV0 Judson_NP1 ,_, "_" Eighteenth-Century_JJ "_" 162_MC -_- 63_MC )_) ._. 
Despite_II this_DD1 dose_NN1 of_IO realism_NN1 ,_, the_AT desire_NN1 to_TO mythologize_VVI Spenser_NP1 has_VHZ been_VBN remarkably_RR resilient_JJ ,_, even_RR into_II the_AT first_MD half_NN1 of_IO the_AT twentieth_MD century_NNT1 ,_, and_CC both_DB2 versions_NN2 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE social_JJ status_NN1 have_VH0 been_VBN used_VVN to_TO create_VVI pretty_JJ stories_NN2 ._. 
For_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, in_II his_APPGE 1945_MC biography_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 ,_, Alexander_NP1 Judson_NP1 takes_VVZ for_IF granted_VVN the_AT truth_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE claims_NN2 to_II familial_JJ relationship_NN1 with_IW the_AT Spencer_NP1 family_NN1 ,_, beginning_VVG the_AT biography_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 chapter_NN1 on_II this_DD1 family_NN1 before_II turning_VVG to_II Edmund_NP1 Spenser_NP1 himself_PPX1 ._. 
For_IF Judson_NP1 ,_, this_DD1 noble_JJ connection_NN1 serves_VVZ to_TO heighten_VVI the_AT nobility_NN1 conferred_VVN by_II the_AT inspired_JJ art_NN1 of_IO poetry_NN1 :_: "_" Though_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ modestly_RR to_TO claim_VVI relationship_NN1 with_IW this_DD1 noble_JJ family_NN1 &hellip;_... and_CC to_TO praise_VVI ,_, almost_RR reverently_RR ,_, the_AT virtue_NN1 and_CC beauty_NN1 of_IO &lsqb;_( three_MC of_IO its_APPGE daughters_NN2 &rsqb;_) ,_, there_EX awaited_VVD him_PPHO1 a_AT1 fame_NN1 ,_, even_RR in_II his_APPGE own_DA day_NNT1 ,_, far_RG higher_JJR than_CSN theirs_PPGE "_" (_( Life_NN1 1_MC1 )_) ._. 
emile_JJ Legouis_NP1 ,_, on_II the_AT other_JJ hand_NN1 ,_, begins_VVZ his_APPGE 1926_MC biography_NN1 with_IW Spenser_NP1 's_GE poverty_NN1 to_TO arrive_VVI at_II much_RR the_AT same_DA destination_NN1 ._. 
Legouis_NN1 refers_VVZ to_II Spenser_NP1 's_GE humble_JJ birth_NN1 but_CCB characterizes_VVZ him_PPHO1 as_CSA having_VHG a_AT1 greatness_NN1 of_IO soul_NN1 reminiscent_JJ of_IO the_AT self-presentation_NN1 of_IO the_AT British_JJ Romantic_JJ poets_NN2 :_: "_" Spenser_NP1 was_VBDZ surely_RR more_DAR than_CSN once_RR mortified_VVD by_II his_APPGE subordinate_JJ position_NN1 ,_, being_VBG conscious_JJ of_IO his_APPGE superiority_NN1 over_II those_DD2 that_CST the_AT privilege_NN1 of_IO birth_NN1 or_CC money_NN1 set_VVN above_II him_PPHO1 "_" (_( 9_MC )_) ._. 
The_AT one_MC1 interpretation_NN1 makes_VVZ of_IO Spenser_NP1 a_AT1 Philip_NP1 Sidney_NP1 ,_, the_AT other_JJ a_AT1 sort_NN1 of_IO poetic_JJ Heathcliff_NN1 ;_; in_II both_DB2 views_NN2 ,_, the_AT inspired_JJ gift_NN1 of_IO poetry_NN1 singles_VVZ Spenser_NP1 out_RP for_IF fame_NN1 from_II his_APPGE youth_NN1 ._. 
Spenser_NP1 's_GE social_JJ status_NN1 was_VBDZ of_IO compelling_JJ interest_NN1 to_II Spenser_NP1 himself_PPX1 and_CC has_VHZ been_VBN a_AT1 matter_NN1 of_IO continuing_JJ significance_NN1 to_II his_APPGE readers_NN2 over_II the_AT past_JJ four_MC centuries_NNT2 ._. 
Rather_II21 than_II22 trying_VVG to_TO pin_VVI down_RP what_DDQ Spenser_NP1 's_GE status_NN1 "_" really_RR "_" was_VBDZ ,_, I_PPIS1 have_VH0 aimed_VVN to_TO examine_VVI the_AT enhancement_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE social_JJ status_NN1 as_II a_AT1 rhetorical_JJ project_NN1 informed_VVN by_II the_AT tradition_NN1 of_IO encomium_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ initiated_VVN by_II Spenser_NP1 and_CC taken_VVN up_RP enthusiastically_RR by_II later_JJR life_NN1 writers_NN2 on_II Spenser_NP1 ._. 
In_II31 addition_II32 to_II33 highlighting_VVG in_II his_APPGE poetry_NN1 status-enhancing_JJ biographical_JJ details_NN2 and_CC remaining_JJ silent_JJ on_II less_RGR flattering_JJ facts_NN2 ,_, Spenser_NP1 made_VVD much_DA1 of_IO his_APPGE connections_NN2 with_IW the_AT Spencer_NP1 family_NN1 and_CC with_IW Philip_NP1 Sidney_NP1 ._. 
The_AT Complaints_NN2 volume_NN1 of_IO 1591_MC served_VVD as_II an_AT1 important_JJ event_NN1 in_II the_AT &lsqb;_( End_VV0 Page_NN1 186_MC &rsqb;_) textual_JJ ,_, public_JJ history_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE relationship_NN1 with_IW the_AT Spencer_NP1 family_NN1 ,_, with_IW both_DB2 the_AT dedicatory_JJ materials_NN2 to_II three_MC of_IO the_AT Spencer_NP1 sisters_NN2 and_CC the_AT poems_NN2 '_GE ideas_NN2 about_II poetry_NN1 's_GE affiliation_NN1 with_IW nobility_NN1 increasing_VVG the_AT audience_NN1 's_GE sense_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE status_NN1 ._. 
Similarly_RR ,_, in_II 1595_MC ,_, Astrophel_NP1 helped_VVD to_TO cement_VVI in_II contemporaries_NN2 '_GE minds_NN2 the_AT idea_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 close_JJ friendship_NN1 between_II Spenser_NP1 and_CC Sidney_NP1 ._. 
These_DD2 two_MC publications_NN2 ,_, though_CS especially_RR significant_JJ in_II the_AT narrative_NN1 of_IO Spenser_NP1 's_GE social_JJ self-presentation_NN1 ,_, are_VBR part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 consistent_JJ project_NN1 over_II the_AT course_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE poetic_JJ career_NN1 to_TO shape_VVI public_NN1 opinion_NN1 of_IO himself_PPX1 as_CSA having_VHG high_JJ social_JJ status_NN1 ._. 
Although_CS belief_NN1 in_II Spenser_NP1 's_GE familial_JJ ties_NN2 with_IW the_AT Spencer_NP1 family_NN1 seemed_VVD to_TO have_VHI died_VVN in_II 1599_MC with_IW Edmund_NP1 Spenser_NP1 himself_PPX1 ,_, seventeenth-century_JJ fantasies_NN2 of_IO the_AT close_JJ Spenser-Sidney_NP1 friendship_NN1 proved_VVD enduring_JJ ._. 
