The only thing is .... sorry if this is immature, but... er...Geryon and his stick- is he, a.. homosexual? Let me know. Sara G and I want to know.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I am a huge fan of Anne Carson. Upon opening the first page and reading the quote from Gertrude Stein, "I like the feeling of words doing as they want to do and as they have to do," I had shivers running down my spine. This book and I became fast friends; the sentences were dripping with strength from the voice of Anne. Although difficult to read, Carson paints a tremendous picture of Geryon's character and the troubled soul that is lurking inside of his monster body. I was confused at times and although I can interpret poetry pretty well, this was really difficult. I really enjoyed the mark of transition in character that Carson does when Geryon shifts into his creative realm.
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3 comments:
I replied to this notion of sexuality in an earlier response, but I think it is worthwhile to repeat.
Geryon is "abnormal" in so many ways. We feel the surge of his freakishness as he stands outside of his kindergarten class waiting for someone to come out and retrieve him. We feel it throughout the text so when his sexuality comes into question (or play if you will), it's striking, although only momentarily, that he is a boy and so is Herakles. Then, we move on as if it is nothing because in Geryon's world, everything is red, and he has little wings. In his world, anything and everything becomes normalized because every small detail is questioned, from cigarette smoke to the very color red.
But to answer your questions succinctly, yep, he's gay.
I was pretty shocked at the part of the book when Geryon's brother and him, have, um, their encounter in the bedroom. I had to re-read that a couple times to really get what was happening.
I think the above sexual situation versus the homosexual relationship (or lust, whatever it may be) that Geryon has with Herakles are two really important dimensions of sexuality, especially homosexuality.
Although this is a poem, I think it is important to recognize the often harmful images of homosexuality, and the unfortunate connections with sexual abuse (esp. children). And then, also, the significant distinction that needs to be recognized between sexual abuse of ALL kinds and mature, consented, sexuality, whatever form it may take.
I have to agree, I was a little freaked out when I was reading this part of the book, because Geryon was still young and they were talking about some pretty adult things.
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