Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[imchongjun]

Hello, teachers.

Would you help me understand the first part of the following sentence?

...if she was strong enough to hold him ridiculous for his pains, she was also weak enough to take a woman's pleasure in having excited the interest of the man she ridiculed.

Which is a better interpretation for "to hold him ridiculous for his pains" :
(1) to hold his efforts ridiculous
or
(2) to hold him ridiculous despite his effort ?

I appreciate your help very much.

[suesummers]

I think the second one is correct.
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[imchongjun]

Thank you, suesummers, for your comment. Have a good weekend.