Although Ophelia is living in a brothel house, Trethewey uses refined language throughout the poems when describing Ophelia\u2019s environment. Threthewey does not in any way glorify prostitution. However, though she does explain certain off-putting characteristics, she portrays some of the posh positives that come along with the job as well.\u00a0 She describes the house as \u201chigh-classed\u201d with \u201cpolished mahogany, potted ferns, [and] rugs two inches thick\u201d (11).<\/p>\n
The lady who runs the brothel is called \u201cCountess.\u201d Countess tends to refer to a noblewoman. I find it ironic that \u201cCountess\u201d runs a brothel, considering how sleazy the idea of a prostitution house is. \u00a0Although apparently contradictory, the boss\u2019s title, \u201cCountess,\u201d makes the brothel seem more elegant.<\/p>\n
While prostitution is an undesirable job for numerous reasons, the work is extremely advantageous for Ophelia. She \u201c[saves] what [she pays] for board, [and] what [she earns] is [hers]\u201d (15). Not only is Ophelia earning a living, she does not have to spend her income on housing. She can instead invest that money towards \u201c[buying her] mother some teeth, [and paying] to have her new well dug\u201d (15). Ophelia can now afford to pay for the necessary things she could not have afforded in the past.<\/p>\n
The job is crude and degrading, but it does not involve tedious labor. Ophelia did not have to work in a factory or do field labor. She did not suffer the tragedies that sometimes occurred in factories, like the \u201cclothing factory [where] so many women [died] in a fire\u201d (22).<\/p>\n
Through this job, Ophelia found her vocation, photography and modeling. She \u201cspent a little of [her] savings on a Kodak\u201d(27). After meeting a photographer, Bellocq, at the brothel. She became a model and apprentice. It was Ophelia\u2019s calling. She observes the way \u201cthe camera can dissect the body, render it reflecting light or gathering darkness\u201d (27). Ophelia has an eye for this hobby. Through this unpleasant means of earning a living, she has found her passion.<\/p>\n
Although Ophelia is living in a brothel house, Trethewey uses refined language throughout the poems when describing Ophelia\u2019s environment. Threthewey does not in any way glorify prostitution. However, though she does explain certain off-putting characteristics, she portrays some of the posh positives that come along with the job as well.\u00a0 She describes the house as<\/p>\n
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