Alongside the birth of the twentieth century resides the evolution of sexual mores from conservative traditions to liberal views that traverse gender and modernization issues. In La Ronde, Arthur Schnitzler, explores sexuality in Germany. Interestingly, what is considered as common in the modern West today is prevalent in La Ronde’s modern social milieu as both men and women actively pursue sex as they please. Nevertheless, gendered values in the earlier century significantly shaped how men and women viewed female sexuality. While illustrating males who strongly objectify and sexualize women, La Ronde nonetheless plays with the irony of masculine possessiveness plus the rise of women’s active sexual encounters for the purposes of improving their power and experiencing love.
Despite numerous sex partners, men generally perceive women as their sexual properties. The Soldier treats the Whore in the way many other men would, a mere means to sexual gratification. In Act 1, “The Whore and the Soldier,” the Soldier exerts the most minimum effort to get laid. After the Whore says that her house is ten minutes away, the Soldier backs out of the tryst and says it is “too far” (Schnitzler …show more content…
As a result, it reveals how men treat their lovers and how women desire affection, if not love, in their sexual encounters. Likewise, the irony of masculine possessiveness underlines the unfairness of double standards in sexuality. Still, as women from all social circles exhibit sexual permissiveness, they access power that a traditional patriarchal society otherwise denies them. Love may come with it or not but most importantly, women control their bodies and have sex as they please outside social conventions. Embracing the female body as their sole property, multiple sexual partners can be a tool for women’s sexual liberation and
Despite numerous sex partners, men generally perceive women as their sexual properties. The Soldier treats the Whore in the way many other men would, a mere means to sexual gratification. In Act 1, “The Whore and the Soldier,” the Soldier exerts the most minimum effort to get laid. After the Whore says that her house is ten minutes away, the Soldier backs out of the tryst and says it is “too far” (Schnitzler …show more content…
As a result, it reveals how men treat their lovers and how women desire affection, if not love, in their sexual encounters. Likewise, the irony of masculine possessiveness underlines the unfairness of double standards in sexuality. Still, as women from all social circles exhibit sexual permissiveness, they access power that a traditional patriarchal society otherwise denies them. Love may come with it or not but most importantly, women control their bodies and have sex as they please outside social conventions. Embracing the female body as their sole property, multiple sexual partners can be a tool for women’s sexual liberation and