Sexuality and American Culture

 First, I was deeply disturbed by the idea that even in 1950, which to me seems very recent, homosexuals and other “perverts” were not allowed to serve in government positions. The two reasons the document gave were: they were are “generally unsuitable” and “constitute security risks”. What does that mean? Well, the document goes on to describe things like “corrosive influence”, “lack of emotional stability”, and the possibility of a homosexual being the prime target “where pressure can be exerted”. So I ask, once again, what does this mean? These shallow terms and phrases do not give reason enough to keep homosexuals out of government offices. Heterosexuals could just as well implement these threats.

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            I also wanted to comment on Jeffrey Escoffier essay and say that it probably just as much truth today than when he wrote the piece. He stated that many homosexuals, driven by insecurities within themselves and executed by society, are prone to believe that they are bisexual. In addition, he made the clear connection between the mass media and the increase of social normalcy for gays. Because homosexuality was written, read, seen and analyzed a lot more than before, it started becoming more acceptable to a lot more people, and conformity created many conditions that made homosexuality possible. Lastly, rebellion meant more acceptance and self-content. Protest helped the sense of community, like id does now, by making people feel that they were not alone, and clearly they still are not.

            Lolita. This second half of the book was so much different than the first. The concept of sex making Lolita irresistible to men made me think of the things I have observed in high school. The more a girl raves about her sexuality and past experiences, the more guys want to join her. Even if she chooses not to discuss this information, people seem to know she is not innocent as if she gives off a glow. However, I have also witnessed that girls who are not sexually active are just as irresistible. When guys hear that a female has not yet been stripped of her chaste, they want to be the first.

In this second half, I hated all the double standards. Humbert went to Lolita’s school to watch other nymphets, but she was not allowed to speak to any other males. I liked that Humbert becomes controlling, and so Lolita begins to ask for money before pleasuring him. Her deceit seems to strip her innocence. The theme of change and this butterfly show Lolita changing from a innocent girl into a manipulative woman right before Humbert’s eye. Once again, the real tragedy was that Lolita was robbed of her childhood. Between her affair with her stepdad, moving so often, being “abducted”, and get married young and having a child so young, Lolita was almost forced to grow up into a world she was not prepared for. Lolita.

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