Since ancient times, Christianity dictated virginity as sacred. Sex marked the transition to womanhood, but also marked the subjugation of woman to man. Since virginity was such a holy idea, virgins were considered sacred beings (think of how well-respected Virgin Mary is among Christian Catholics). Not only devout Christians were pressured to comply with Christian tradition. Morality was confused with Christian sexual morality, and thus propagated throughout Western civilization as social standard.
As scientific progress pushes onward, the connection between sexuality and emotion dwindles. If not believed to be sacred, what more is sexuality than a 'good time?' In Reading, Writing and Rhetoric, James Buri Hogins and Robert E. Yarber compare disconnected sexuality with "drinking a fine wine or eating caviar."
We are undoubtedly in the midst of a sexual revolution. Sex is no longer solely a sacred act that joins two individuals for life. Christian dogma no longer pervades public sentiment: sex is not holy.
Christianity lost its foothold in the Western World to a religion called science
Science's dogmas most notably gives women reprieve from the guilt and condemnation typically cast upon promiscuous Christian girls. As sex and love dissociate, women gain power. Not only has sex become a symbol of freedom and self-empowerment, but also a return to nature. In a world concerned primarily with the theoretical, sex symbolizes a reversion to brute animal instincts-- a willing choice to reconnect with true human essence. The feminist movement over the past 50 years has embraced sexual freedom and propelled women into the driver's seat. Today I see young women playing relationship roles young men used to play. They have toughened: overt female promiscuity is becoming more acceptable, although overt male promiscuity has been the standard since day one.
In Colette's short story Secret Woman, the author narrates the masked adventures of a couple at a sex party called the Opera Ball. The story is narrated in first person from the perspective of the husband when he discovers his wife is secretly at the sex party. She portrays the evolution of female promiscuity-- detachment between sex and emotion and assertion of sexuality. The husband hardly recognizes his wife by the end of the story.
Your post contains a lot of brave assertions but I do think the historical context factors in. Collette's story was written around the 1920s era, which was a time of major social revolution. This new sexual Western philosophy definitely shines through in the story and is still present in society today.
ReplyDeleteI agree with a majority of what you are saying, and I believe the story shows the desire that people have for shamelessness in their actions, and shamelessness in the things that they want to pursue.
ReplyDeleteI certainly think that you are right in that there is a sexual revolution going on, and women are making great strides in gender equality. I would just like to elaborate on the connection of "Secret Woman" to this social movement. The fact that the husband hardly recognizes his wife indicates that he is not yet ready to see her as an equal human being capable of being purely sexual. I believe that what the story is saying is that women are becoming sexual whether men like it or not, and that we should start accepting it if we want to be comfortable in this world. While it might not be easy for some, the option to have the MALE/female binary is going to be gone soon, as it should be. This is definitely an important story for men to read in order to better understand what equality could be like.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel's analysis. Western philosophy is more present now than ever.
ReplyDeleteRiley I have to agree with you. The old belief that sex is sacred is gone. Like you said science has gained a stronger foothold now then ever. Rachel commented on the social revolution of the 1920's I'd like to say that we are in the midst of another one right now. Times have definitely changed a lot.
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