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Mythic Mailer in An American Dream: Difference between revisions
Mythic Mailer in An American Dream (view source)
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Leigh explains the sex in ''<u>An American Dream</u>'' in mythic terms: "In''<u>An American Dream</u>'' orgiastic sex plunges Rojack into epistemological and ontological depths and communion with the mysterious forces to which the individual is exposed" (105). Sexuality for Mailer has always featured heavily weighted mystic overtones. The possibility for procreativity influences the degree of goodness inherent in the sexual act. The more likely the act is to be procreative, the more moral it is. The women in the novel provide three different ways for Rojack to succeed in his quest. Leigh describes them best: | Leigh explains the sex in ''<u>An American Dream</u>'' in mythic terms: "In''<u>An American Dream</u>'' orgiastic sex plunges Rojack into epistemological and ontological depths and communion with the mysterious forces to which the individual is exposed" (105). Sexuality for Mailer has always featured heavily weighted mystic overtones. The possibility for procreativity influences the degree of goodness inherent in the sexual act. The more likely the act is to be procreative, the more moral it is. The women in the novel provide three different ways for Rojack to succeed in his quest. Leigh describes them best: | ||
<blockquote>Killing Deborah cancels Rojack's social contract with the "dream" world of capitalist success, status and priviledge. Buggering Ruta is a technique for absorbing her vast reservoir of energy, cunning and guile into his own body. Genital release with Cherry represents the perfect harmonious coupling. (105)<blockquote> | <blockquote>Killing Deborah cancels Rojack's social contract with the "dream" world of capitalist success, status and priviledge. Buggering Ruta is a technique for absorbing her vast reservoir of energy, cunning and guile into his own body. Genital release with Cherry represents the perfect harmonious coupling. (105)</blockquote> | ||
The perfect sexual harmony is directly related to the cosmic harmony Rojack is seeking. Loving Cherry, expressed sexually, is only part of Rojack's quest. Listening to and trusting in himself as he pursues knowledge is the other goal in his adventure. The culmination of Rojack's quest is his walk on the parapet. | The perfect sexual harmony is directly related to the cosmic harmony Rojack is seeking. Loving Cherry, expressed sexually, is only part of Rojack's quest. Listening to and trusting in himself as he pursues knowledge is the other goal in his adventure. The culmination of Rojack's quest is his walk on the parapet. | ||