Sexuality

Sexuality in the play becomes dangerous not because of desire itself, but because knowledge is deliberately denied. Wendla’s innocent question (where babies come from) is met with evasions and falsehoods, leaving her to believe that pregnancy results from marriage, love, or vague moral goodness rather than sex. Whereas when Melchior and Moritz are discussing Melchior’s essay and Melchior tells Frau Gabor he is reading Faust, she responds with “But surely you boys are now of an age to decide for yourselves what is good for you and what is not.” This shows the distinct difference between the treatment of young girls and boys when it comes to sexual information. When Wendla later reveals the letter to her mother, she remarks, “My God, why didn’t you tell me everything?” showing clearly that Wendla lacked even the language to understand consent. Melchior’s partial sexual knowledge marks him as threatening, while Wendla’s ignorance renders her vulnerable, revealing how control over information becomes a form of power.

 

Masturbation and same-sex relations were also condemned by the church. It was considered a sin to be “wasteful of the seed of conception”, and it was also believed that it could cause disease or physical afflictions (like going blind). Homosexuality was considered a sinful or depraved act by the church, and since the church had heavy political and social influence, by much of society. 

 

This is contested territory in contemporary society as well, particularly as it relates to the lives of young people. Debates over comprehensive sex ed, bodily autonomy and parental control mirror the conflict central to the play. Fear of “encouraging” sexual behavior continues driving policy decisions, and young people are still treated as passive recipients of desire rather than individuals that are entitled to understanding their bodies and boundaries.