How to Reads Literature Like a Professor
Ch. 17 ...Except Sex
Ryan Gaines
McKinley King
Randal Parmley
Drake Stephens
Writer's Dilemma
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Writing a sex scene can be one of the least rewarding
experiences as an author.
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The led up to the act has a virtually limitless possibilities
for how it to be written, but the act itself has limits to its
creativity.
Literary Meaning
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When writers write about sex, it means something else
symbolically.
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And when writers write about something else, it can be
about sex.
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Sex is used as a plot device in most contemporary
novels.
Character's Traits
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The scene can be used in order to show some
characteristics.
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It can show the true motive behind a character's actions.
Symbolism and Chapter 16
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Due to the awkwardness of writing sex scenes, most
writers use heavy symbolism to represent sex scenes.
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Some even only mention the act happened in order to
avoid criticism or having to write the scene
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The main point of Ch. 16, It's All About Sex, is how
authors use other words and objects in place of sex
Censorship
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Due to the explicit content present in sex scene, there is
much censorship throughout history.
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Many writers had their works altered, banned, or heavily
censored.
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Through the years, writers have become more open and
write more scenes in order to develop the plot more.
Historical Background
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Due to the strict code of morals during this age, which
caused for sex in polite literature to be very rare.
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This caused for an increase in the amount of impolite
literature.
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Modernist period even had limits.
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Even with a half a century of writing techniques, all that
is left is clichés
Examples in The Kite Runner
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"Assef knelt behind Hassan, put his hands on Hassan's
hips and lifted his bare buttocks. He kept one hand on
Hassan's back and undid his own buckle with his free
hand. He unzipped his jeans. Dropped his underwear.
He positioned himself behind Hassan. Hassan didn't
struggle. Didn't even whimper. He moved his head
slightly and I caught a glimpse of his face. Saw the
resignation in it. It was a look I had seen before. It was
the look of the lamb." (Ch. 7 Pg. 75-76)
Example in The Great Gatsby
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"The telephone rang inside, startlingly, and as Daisy
shook her hand decisively at Tom the subject of the
stables, in fact all subjects, vanished into air." (Ch. 1 Pg.
20)
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The Great Gatsby (2014): http://youtu.be/TyLmZC4OAJg
Examples in Other Art Forms
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Modern Family:
http://www.movieweb.com/tv/TEFPcmmjxRUuJI/caught