Paradoxes of Purity: Portrayals of Women & Girlhood in 'The Scarlet Letter,' 'The Virgin Suicides,' and 'Lolita'"

Women's sexuality and their purity seem to be a topic that follows us throughout time. In this episode, Stauney and Sadie explore how societal views on women's sexuality and purity are reflected in classic literature like 'The Scarlet Letter,' 'The Virgin Suicides,' and 'Lolita.' These novels serve as mirrors to the complexities of purity culture, where women's bodies and desires are closely scrutinized. The novels are all notably written by men, whose intentions have been twisted over time to emphasize harmful perspectives that the original authors never intended. We dissect the nuances of womanhood, societal judgments, and the interplay between purity and perspective that shapes these stories. Join us as we navigate these narratives, shedding light on how they contribute to our understanding of women's roles in a world focused on their virtue and sensuality, and how it harms us all.
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Women's sexuality and their purity seem to be a topic that follows us throughout time. In this episode, Stauney and Sadie explore how societal views on women's sexuality and purity are reflected in classic literature like 'The Scarlet Letter,' 'The Virgin Suicides,' and 'Lolita.' These novels serve as mirrors to the complexities of purity culture, where women's bodies and desires are closely scrutinized. The novels are all notably written by men, whose intentions have been twisted over time to emphasize harmful perspectives that the original authors never intended. We dissect the nuances of womanhood, societal judgments, and the interplay between purity and perspective that shapes these stories. Join us as we navigate these narratives, shedding light on how they contribute to our understanding of women's roles in a world focused on their virtue and sensuality, and how it harms us all.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices