Men Undressed arrived in my mail box last week and I thought, hmmm: interesting. I immediately was off and running at the possibilities and anxious to start reading. I am one of those who do read introductions and prefaces to books. Ok, so far I am digging this, could be quiet interesting. The first *story* was more of an essay and I have to say I was less then pleased. I thought oh great, another feminist diatribe about male domination!
Perhaps I should give an idea of the books premise which is to cast light on the male perspective of sex. What sex feels like for them, how it functions in their lives. The kicker, all these stories are written by women. I may have taken the first easy wrong; I doubt it, but maybe. Right out of the gate I was greeted by the old argument of male dominated literary world. The female sexual experience only described by men. The varying attempts by women to reclaim their sexuality in literature that were met with harsh criticism and the typical response that it was just wrong to say it was one thing when a man wrote it, and another much less appealing description when a woman did. Come on folks, let’s get past it, get over it and move on!
As for the traditional roles in literature, they are what they are. Context is very important. You can not apply modern opinions and attitudes to literature written in the past. If you keep it in context it will most surely obliterate some of the current interpretations applied to the work. I like to read literature for what it is. Try to get inside the authors head a bit, maybe discover why they put words together the way they did and perhaps find some meaning from the words. Not everything lends itself to interpretation; some times you just take it at face value.
A book mentioned in the opening essay, Fear of Flying by Erica Jong is on my list of must reads. It is also the hinge of this first essay. It is a woman’s own words about her sexuality and was not well received. Critics, yes mostly male, called it obscene and vulgar. Some labeled it pornography and smut. It was published and from all accounts sold quite well. My question is, does it matter what critics said? Obviously not. So why can we not just say I did this, I did it well, it defied labeling.
I have read a few of the other stories now; they are as varied as the people who are writing them. I can’t say I have my head completely in the book yet but I am giving it every opportunity to win me over, enlighten me, leave an impression. It is very likely I will read it more then once, I want to give it due attention and, if warranted rave reviews.
Yes, I am all for self identity. I just happen to see self identity as individual not part of a group. I do not view others by their obvious traits, skin color, gender, etc.. I don’t care to be judged by those standards either. I am well acquainted with myself and my sexuality: the words of others doesn't change that.
That's my Zen showing...
