Question I

[Jonetta]

It was clear that Paul and Hugh Zimmer were in a “romantic” relationship but Elizabeth, and, to some degree, Sarah, were unfamiliar with homosexuality. Do you think that may have been true for most women of their upbringing? Were they that sheltered?

[Phrynne]

I would have expected them to be totally sheltered from this knowledge. I thought it would still have been a crime at that time and not acknowledged by polite society at all.

[Robin]

I agree with Phrynne. It certainly wouldn't have been talked about with people among their class.

[Jonetta]

I was surprised that the whole concept of homosexuality was such a foreign concept to both women. It got me thinking about how they might have had some exposure and couldn’t think of a situation!

We live in very different times.

[~ Giulia ~]

I agree with Phrynne, I don't see it being a subject openly discussed in their society. It seems most women didn't even know about sex before their marriage, it'd have been strange to have them know about homosexuality. I'm more surprised that they accepted it so easily when at the time it was something so very disapproved of.

[Lauren]

I wasn't at all surprised at their ignorance and naivete. Women were kept in the dark by the men in their families about all sorts of things that were deemed too sensitive for their "delicate" sensibilities.

[Jonetta]

I keep forgetting about those “delicate sensibilities” men believed in back then😄

[Lauren]

Jonetta wrote: "I keep forgetting about those “delicate sensibilities” men believed in back then😄"

There are still men who think we have them 😤

[Jonetta]

Yeah, right about that, unfortunately.