Betty Botter Bought Some Butter

Consumerism - Zero Tolerance for Inferior Ingredients.

This is the most modern of the illustrations studied. It is also the most dramatically different. Betty is shown in a business coat and hat with her purse in hand. She is heading toward the store with the bitter butter in her other hand, obviously irritated at having to make another trip to exchange an inferior product. In most of the other illustrations studied, Betty is the only character depicted, as she is the only character referenced in the rhyme. This illustration, however, extends the story and offers an explanation for the bitter butter. The storeowner appears to be dishonest and probably sold Betty the bitter butter at the Best Butter price. Note the label on the Best Butter is facing away from the entrance and the customer counter. One might wonder if the store carries other grades of butter, such as Bitter Butter and Better Butter, but labels them all the same. Note also how the owner, skulking below the window, tries to turn out the Closed sign and lock the door when he sees Betty coming. Betty could be a business owner herself, perhaps a baker, but it is not certain. Even if Betty is a housewife, it is clear from her look of dissatisfaction that she will never tolerate inferior ingredients in her batter. Her kitchen is probably squeaky clean too.