Last fall we learned that the number of forks a person owned was an indicator of social class in colonial North America. This poster reminds me that those forks were made out of something durable such a pewter or even valuable such as silver. Today eating utensils may not be such a reliable indicator of economic resources as in the past since relatively less money is needed to acquire them. Nonetheless, the poster also serves to suggest that which utensils one has (rather than how many) may now be an indication of the values the user holds along with the spoon and fork.
conversing about and with America, Americans, and American Conversations students
Monday, September 26, 2011
Plastic spoons: a comment on convenience and class
Last fall we learned that the number of forks a person owned was an indicator of social class in colonial North America. This poster reminds me that those forks were made out of something durable such a pewter or even valuable such as silver. Today eating utensils may not be such a reliable indicator of economic resources as in the past since relatively less money is needed to acquire them. Nonetheless, the poster also serves to suggest that which utensils one has (rather than how many) may now be an indication of the values the user holds along with the spoon and fork.
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2 comments:
i saw this poster outside of a biology lab today. it's funny how true it is. makes you think, that's for sure.
I love this DeAne! It really makes me think about everything like that!
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