John Irving’s novelThe World According to Garpgives the reader a view on the lives of its characters and, as a part of it, their attitudes towards lust and sexuality. The description of these aspects is very direct and may be offensive for some more conservative persons. Even for persons who tend to be liberal- minded, Irving’s way of writing about sex can be uncommon, although he uses lust and sexuality only to tell the story and not for sensational reasons. It is strange that after forty years of sexual liberation, or the so called ´sexual revolution´, so little seems to have changed and people still have these kinds of feelings when reading about sex being described so directly. Despite the fact that people expected more from the sexual liberation in the 1960s and 1970s, there was indeed a change in attitude towards certain aspects, such as premarital and extramarital sex. Studies in the United States in the 1970s revealed “a gradual decrease over time in the percentage of respondents who said that premarital sex is always wrong”. Another important change which derived from the liberation movement was the new female sexuality, especially concerning the sexual fulfilment of women before and during marriage. This is also proved by a decreasing support of the `double standard´, where men are more or less allowed to be sexual active, including premarital and even extramarital sex, but women are not. You also have to consider the women’s movement, when thinking about female sexual liberation. Both, sexual liberation and feminism, somehow worked together hand in hand to achieve improvement for women’s sexuality. In order to understand the gap between the new achievements and the nevertheless still exis ting resentments towards them, you need to know the situation prior to the 1960s, when the above- mentioned `double standard` and abstinence were in the focus of sexuality.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Question of Sexuality and Lust
- Jenny Fields
- T.S. Garp
- Marriage and Problems in the Family
- New Developments and Influences on Relationships
- Marital Problems Between Helen and Garp
- Family Roles
- Extramarital Sex
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This seminar paper analyzes John Irving's The World According to Garp, examining how the novel portrays lust, sexuality, and family dynamics within the context of the sexual liberation movement. The paper investigates the impact of societal shifts on individual attitudes and relationships, exploring the tension between traditional values and evolving sexual mores.
- The impact of the sexual liberation movement on attitudes towards lust and sexuality.
- The portrayal of differing perspectives on sexuality and their societal influences.
- The complexities of marriage and family relationships in the context of changing sexual norms.
- The tension between individual desires and societal expectations regarding sexuality.
- The novel's reflection of the gap between societal progress and persistent traditional values.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces John Irving's The World According to Garp and its unflinching depiction of sexuality. It explores the seemingly paradoxical persistence of certain attitudes toward sex despite the sexual liberation movement, questioning why direct depictions of sexuality still provoke strong reactions. The introduction sets the stage for an examination of the novel's portrayal of lust and sexuality against the backdrop of social change and evolving sexual mores, referencing sociological studies on changing attitudes towards premarital and extramarital sex, as well as the impact of feminism on female sexuality. The chapter highlights the contrast between the expectations of the sexual revolution and the realities depicted in the novel.
The Question of Sexuality and Lust: This section analyzes the novel's contrasting depictions of sexuality through the characters of Jenny Fields and T.S. Garp. It sets the stage for exploring how the novel portrays differing perspectives on sexuality and their societal influences, noting that while Jenny Fields challenges conventional sexual norms, she still faces judgment and misunderstanding, highlighting the lasting power of traditional values despite societal shifts.
Marriage and Problems in the Family: This chapter delves into the complexities of marriage and family relationships within the context of the changing sexual landscape. It explores how the novel illustrates the challenges faced by couples navigating evolving societal expectations and personal desires regarding sexuality. The analysis will focus on the marital struggles between Helen and Garp, examining how family roles and extramarital affairs contribute to the complexities of their relationship and the tensions between individual expression and traditional family values. The influence of societal changes on the relationship will be considered.
Keywords
John Irving, The World According to Garp, sexual liberation, sexuality, lust, marriage, family, societal expectations, traditional values, gender roles, extramarital sex, premarital sex, Victorian morality, New Right, feminism.
Frequently Asked Questions: John Irving's *The World According to Garp*
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes John Irving's *The World According to Garp*, examining its portrayal of lust, sexuality, and family dynamics within the context of the sexual liberation movement. It investigates how societal shifts impacted individual attitudes and relationships, exploring the tension between traditional values and evolving sexual mores.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include the impact of the sexual liberation movement on attitudes towards lust and sexuality; differing perspectives on sexuality and their societal influences; the complexities of marriage and family relationships in a changing sexual landscape; the tension between individual desires and societal expectations; and the novel's reflection of the gap between societal progress and persistent traditional values.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into sections covering an introduction, the question of sexuality and lust (focusing on Jenny Fields and T.S. Garp), marriage and family problems (specifically Helen and Garp's marital struggles), and a conclusion. Chapter summaries provide a detailed overview of each section's content.
How does the paper approach the portrayal of sexuality in the novel?
The paper contrasts the depictions of sexuality through Jenny Fields and T.S. Garp, highlighting how the novel portrays differing perspectives and their societal influences. It acknowledges the persistence of traditional values despite societal shifts, even as characters challenge conventional sexual norms.
What aspects of marriage and family are examined?
The analysis delves into the complexities of marriage and family relationships in the context of changing sexual norms. It focuses on the marital struggles of Helen and Garp, examining the roles of family roles and extramarital affairs in creating tension between individual expression and traditional values. The influence of societal change on their relationship is a key consideration.
What are the key takeaways from the introduction?
The introduction establishes the context of the novel's depiction of sexuality within the sexual liberation movement. It highlights the paradoxical persistence of certain attitudes towards sex and sets the stage for examining the novel's portrayal of lust and sexuality against the backdrop of social change, referencing relevant sociological studies.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include John Irving, *The World According to Garp*, sexual liberation, sexuality, lust, marriage, family, societal expectations, traditional values, gender roles, extramarital sex, premarital sex, Victorian morality, New Right, and feminism.
What kind of information is provided in the table of contents?
The table of contents provides a structured overview of the paper, including the introduction, sections on sexuality and lust (with subsections on Jenny Fields and T.S. Garp), a section on marriage and family problems (with subsections on new developments, marital problems between Helen and Garp, including family roles and extramarital sex), and a conclusion.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The objective is to provide a thorough analysis of how John Irving's *The World According to Garp* portrays lust, sexuality, and family dynamics within the context of the sexual liberation movement, examining the interplay between individual experiences and broader societal shifts.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Heuermann (Author), 2004, Sexual Suspects - Influences of the Sexual Liberation on Lust, Sexuality and Family in John Irving's 'The World According to Garp', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/45335
