Christine answers “Was the relationship between the high...”

Penny asked this question about Three Women:

Was the relationship between the high school student and her teacher romanticized? Was the girl portrayed as "asking for it"? Is female masochism normalized in this book? It sounds a little creepy, and extremely misogynistic. Not all women "desire" suffering & exploitation.

Christine If you read the entire book, you will see that none of these women wanted suffering and exploitation. All were actually looking for love and acceptanc…moreIf you read the entire book, you will see that none of these women wanted suffering and exploitation. All were actually looking for love and acceptance. It is not a misogynistic book at all.

Example: Maggie -- hardly "asking for it". Note that the teacher pursued HER in the Colorado texts, not vice versa. Add to that a 16 year old's lack of world experience, her naivete and dysfunctional family circumstances. It was up to the teacher to guide her (if he was such a great teacher). Instead he led her in a dangerous, life damaging (and obviously ego driven) Lolita game. The court, however, did portray Maggie as "asking for it".

Lina -- desperate for normal human affection.

Sloane -- seeking acceptance in the aftermath of her weirdly abnormal (although arguably "privileged") childhood.
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Mary Ladrick Great comment - I agree with your points
Nov 09, 2019 06:34PM

Christine Yes, I thought it was an amazing book, although difficult at times.
Nov 10, 2019 02:05PM

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