Sex in Dystopias
In all the books we’ve read, sex has been a prominent aspect of the storyline. In BNW, it is encouraged while in both 1984 and the Handmaid’s tale sex is more regulated and taboo in certain ways. Personally, I’ve had mixed feelings on why there is so much sex in these dystopian novels. On one hand, I know that the classic saying that“sex sells” is probably at play here. However, part of me wants to believe there’s more to it than that. After all, there’s just so much of it and at times there is a pretty large amount of detail like unzipping all those zippers in BNW.
I’ve tried to analyze it. Maybe sex serves as a rebellion? However, how can sex be any more than a rebellion than actually organizing a revolt? It’s one of my main issues with all the sex. If they spent half the time they do in bed on unifying, they could have made a lot more progress in dismantling the system. I mean sneaking around to have sex might be a fun topic to write about for the authors, however I don’t know why there needs to be such a large focus on the main characters’ sex life. In all honesty, I don’t feel that sex is a fundamental part of the books. Personally, I think if half the sex scenes were taken out, the books would remain virtually the same. I don’t fully understand the motives of the authors and I doubt that I ever will.
What do you guys think? Is sex really necessary for the storylines?
Christelle
I also asked this question several times while reading these dystopian novels. There is such a big focus on sex in all of the books, and I personally don't think it's very necessary. Of course, in the Handmaid's Tale, it's necessary to have some of it because their society is so centered around it. However, with BNW and 1984, I really didn't understand why it was necessary to put so much focus on it. I get that a society's attitudes towards sex says a lot about their ideals, but I think that point can be made clear without constantly talking about it or including sex scenes throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting and it's cool that you brought it up. Sex definitely has been a huge part of all the books we've read so far. I think maybe part of it is that sex is just such a fundamental part of human society and it always has been. And, because it's so fundamental, when it becomes something so vastly different (like it does in all the books we've read) it's really reflective of the rest of society as a whole. I'm not really sure though, I do agree there was a looot of focus on it especially in 1984.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about this topic a few times while reading the books too. I think in The Handmaid's Tale, the sex is necessary because their whole society is built around the role of handmaids and their ability to have children. I also think that sex plays somewhat of an important role in Brave New World as it shows the types of relationships people in that society have, but I think sex could have played a smaller role in the book and the same points would have come across. In 1984, I think the sex aspect was largely unnecessary. I understand that it is considered a rebellious act, but I wish that Winston and Julia spent some more time doing more rebellious things and actually planning a revolt.
ReplyDeleteI feel like sex is only necessary to the Handmaid's Tale story line. However, given the times these books were written, the thought of having sex randomly would likely shock readers, which is why it was probably used in BNW. I think Handmaid's Tale was trying to get at the concerns of birth control rights in America (which is why it used sex so heavily in its story). I feel like taking out the sex scenes would drastically lower how striking each book would be, but there are places I feel they're not needed. Instead of Lydia (or whatever he name was) from BNW getting naked for John, why doesn't she just ask him bluntly if he wants to have sex? It would be striking, while at the same time, less lewd.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of Lenina
DeleteI don't think sex is NECESSARY in books like BNW and 1984, but it's not completely unwelcome. Because sex is such a fundemental part of society and desired by many, it makes sense that it was fit into BNW somehow, where happiness and fufilled desires are a constant. On top of that, in 1984, it served as a form of rebellion itself, contributing to Winston's goal and allowing him some pleasure along the way. Aside from these two book, in Handmaid's Tale, I feel as thoguht the sex was more necessary. The whole society was strucured on the basis of procreation and repopulation, not to mention sexual scenes provided an interesting development in the relationship between Offred and the commander.
ReplyDeleteLike the previous comments, I think sex does play an important role in THT, as it is a defining aspect of her life as a handmaid for Offred. Even in BNW, I kind of get that it has a use, as it shows the ways that their lives are different in that they don't really have close relationships with people. I agree with you that it's a bit weird in 1984. The only reason I can think of to include sex scenes in 1984, is that his relationship with Julia symbolizes how Winston is becoming more and more upset with the way the world runs and readier to start actually rebelling.
ReplyDeleteI think that sex in all of the books except the handmaid's tale is little more than a way to try to keep readers engaged and try to get more people to read the books (like the way many Hollywood movies use sex). Even in Brave New World I feel like its just added shock factor and not something that is actually necessary to get the point of the book across. However, I do think that a societies views on sex are usually its most rigid and telling about what kind of society it is, so I think that including their views on sex in some way is probably very important (even if it didn't have to be through explicit sex scenes).
ReplyDeleteI agree with most people in that it seems that the sex in the novels that we've read are there mainly because "sex sells." Personally, I find it annoying at times because it feels like the easy way to make a book interesting. Novels that don't focus of sex and are still great impress me far more than any of the novels we've read so far (Octavia Butler's Kindred was amazing as is Parable of the Sower, and they both don't include sex.) Nice post!
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that there is a huge emphasis on sex in some of the novels we have read so far, sometimes more than necessary. While sex is a big part of life, it isn't everything, and there are a lot of other aspects of a society to further explore besides just their views on sex. In some societies like the Republic of Gilead, I can understand the excessive sex, but in other books there are definitely some scenes that could be taken out.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, perhaps because copulation is such a primitive and relatable act, no matter what society it occurs in, that the authors use it so often in their novels. Also, lust and love are huge motivators.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason it is used so much is because sex is often seen as a pleasurable act so in dystopias it is easy to imagine why they would ban it. However, unless the technology is there sex is somewhat needed to create more people and continue the society. I think finding a balance between controlling the pleasure while also reproducing is a hard balance, and how the society deals with it shows a lot about the society.
ReplyDeleteThank you for bringing this up, Christelle. I thought about it too, and I think its mostly because it spices up the book for some readers. Personally however, I find it pretty unnecessary and I don't see how it advances the book, but "sex sells" for the general public. Also, as others mentioned, ideas on sex can tell a lot of a society, and if you're trying to set up a dystopia, it makes sense. I think the books would've been a lot more interesting if the authors focused on a different and more activist aspect of society (although for THT you kinda need to know the sex stuff).
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you mentioning this. I think it deserves a real conversation because sex really has taken up a lot of time and space in each of our novels. I would agree that in a lot of ways it feels like the sex scenes are simply overboard, espeically for the context of the books. Couldn't the authors come up with a better way for their characters to spend their time? Now on the otherhand, I do kind of get it. I think that sex in a dystopian world is one of the only ways that the characters are able to experiance some kind of privacy, affection, and feelings. I get how this pleasure could act as a sort of coping mechanism for the characters who really have little access to any other means. Anyhow, I can see both sides and I think you bring up great points!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a really interesting question. Although, I don't have an answer this is a complex topic to think about. I think sex is such a prominent topic in the book because it shows a disconnect between our modern world. Sex is a way that humans can show love, so it is sad to see how differently it is used in these books.
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