Brainstorms from the SHU Scribe: You’re SEX Ugly SEX Too SEX!!!

March 29, 2005

You’re SEX Ugly SEX Too SEX!!!

Was anyone else’s reading like this!?! Every other word that surrounded this sex-starved teacher’s story was sensual. From her thoughts of how animals mate to phrases of sexual orientation such as ‘he’s fun and straight’ to even the unlikely sensuality depicted from Zoë plucking out her one chin hair! This particular bathroom scene, juxtaposed with a couple fooling around in the adjoining bedroom was rife with sexual overtones. I mean come on, as the protagonist is stabbing into her delicate flesh, with a pointy object, blood is oozing out…all while the couple in the next room is lying on the bed and giggling and cradling each other. I don’t think I’m reading too much into this, but let’s look a little more into this story for evidence. We get the intimate details of Zoë's sister’s sex life, or lack therefore, as well as a visual of Evan's naked husband. Zoë's date, Earl, comes dressed as a naked woman whose anatomy keeps being mentioned over and over and who makes a joke about a doctor having sex with his secretary and makes the drunken statement, "Hormones sprayed around, and now men are screwing rocks." We see the word 'marriage' about as much as we see a period, and we get to hear all about the fooling around of Zoë's bad date (footsies and kneesies ring a bell anyone)? Is this piece about more than just sex? Sure, but it’s hard to miss, and in my opinion, this is a main theme of the story. There are numerous more bits of evidence floating around in my head, but I’d like to see what Tiff and the class come up with as well. Trackback line: http://blogs.setonhill.edu/DennisJerz/EL267/2005/007026.php Posted by JohnHaddad at March 29, 2005 05:28 PM

Comments

I did notice all the references to sex, including the references to hormones. I think part of it might have to do with the problems she's been having with her stomach-area, but also... our society is so sexually-repressed, maybe Zoe moreso than others. We are, afterall, genetically designed for reproduction. Zoe was getting older, I think her biological clock was ticking. I do think there's a deeper meaning to it all and I'd like to see what everyone else comes up with.

Posted by: moira at March 30, 2005 10:41 AM

Yeah, those are good points, Moira. I hadn't taken the thought that deeply yet, but everything that you said made sense. She's seeing her sister get married and she starts thinking about it too, but doesn't know how to deal with those feelings and...yeah. Also, I thought it was interesting how she originally cautioned Evan against getting married (on the phone) but when she arrived at her sister's place she advised her to go ahead and get married. I'm thinking this must reflect the internal battle that wages inside of Zoe concerning marriage.

Posted by: John Haddad at March 30, 2005 02:49 PM

Well, having read this story last year, I could refresh and know that there are a lot of sexual references. However, I don't think that they are the basis of the story; unless, of course, you'd like to argue that the reason Zoe is psycho is because of her lack of a sex life...

Posted by: Karissa at March 30, 2005 10:42 PM

Good point about the internal battles that Zoe's dealing with, John. And, Karissa, haha, but you know... I think that might be a valid argument... ;)

Posted by: moira at March 31, 2005 12:28 PM

Karissa,

Perhaps if the basis for this story in Moore's mind was sex, she should have adopted my title for this blog entry, "You’re SEX Ugly SEX Too SEX!!!" However, I don't think that was her main concern. Too many other issues muddy up and confuse the matter like her loneliness and such. Still, for me and my reading, that's what I pulled from the story. So... Sex is not necessarily the most important point that the author was trying to push, but that is what I got out of it. It reminds me of SHU plays. It's like sensuality is just expected in order to make a successful play. That's what all the readings, in fact told me. It's as if a story that isn't full of sensual references is rejected by society. How unfortunate.

Posted by: John Haddad at March 31, 2005 03:06 PM