Innocence versus Sexual Awakening Essays - 1208 Words

Innocence versus Sexual Awakeming The transition from childhood to adulthood is a complex but universal passage. Both Katherine Mansfields The Wind Blows and D.H. Lawrences The Virgin and the Gipsy embody adolescent angst in their characterization. Matilda and Yvette search for meaning beyond the lives they perceive they are condemned to lead. Both bring about greater understanding of the struggle between a young girls struggle of innocence versus sexuality. In similar uses of metaphor and imagery the stories tell the tale of social convention, romanticism and sexual awakening. The Virgin and the Gipsy is written with little surprise or subtlety in it, as is suggested by the title. Lawrence has a theme of human†¦show more content†¦Each of the two girls has a high spirit infused by passion. Neither actually experiences desire persay but awaken to the idea itself. Yvette dreams of falling violently in love (12) and Matilda hints at love through heading for the open gate (Mansfield 58). Both seem to imply the context of a society that pretends desire only occurs on a limited basis within marriage or class structure, for fear the thought was obscene, (115). Anything outside of that realm of possibility should not be expressed. Mansfield implies the passion that Matilda feels for Mr. Bullen with her heart racing and him waiting for her (55). Matilda feels content upon entrance to her piano teachers home. There is warmth that overcomes her through the smells and images that surround her senses. Matilda has a feeling that they know everything about each other (55) which suggests intimacy on her part. From Mr. Bullens point of view, there is only a portrayal of adult concern as in two instances Matilda is reminded that she is still a little lady (55). Yvette lay and wishes she were a gypsy (52). The life of the gipsy is different in every way from her own, she is smitten by him with her childlike eyes(67) but still paralyzed by the fear of social convention for fear the thought was obscene (115). The gypsies were most outside the world she was brought up in therefore subject to her fascination. The dark and handsome gipsy was a fantasy man for Yvette one inShow MoreRelatedLiterary Analysis : Bram Stoker s Dra cula1285 Words   |  6 Pagestextual evidence, â€Å"When she saw my [Harker] face at the window she threw herself forward, she shouted in a voice filled with menace: Monster, give me my child!†, (Dracula 42) parallels to the duality of ones self, and the way society views ourselves versus how we believe society views us. As Harker battles the self called prison that is the Counts castle, the reality is Harker is losing a fight against his inner desires and the control he was sure he had over them. 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