It’s probably just me, maybe because I’m a “mature” woman, maybe because of whatever movies I watched on “The Early Show” as a kid, but I’m noticing a trend in fiction that is telling of societal changes (somewhat–just had a flash of Clinton as conflicting evidence). I think that audiences, readers, the young adult through forties group can willinglyaccept as literary fodder explicit sex, multiple partners, liberal ideas in who, what, where and how often with how many, but has drawn the line at adultery to be sympathetic to their protagonists.
I first noticed this in a Contemporary Fiction class with the reading of Woody Allen’s “The Kugelmass Episode.” Allen’s protagonist is a married man who through the help of a magician, manages to have affairs with his favorite sexy ladies of literature, but receives his just desserts by a glitch to end up permanently locked within a textbook. I thought it was funny. I loved the story. I felt sorry for Kugelmass. Very few, if any, were of the opinion that the story was funny, and specifically pointed out the despicability of Kugelmass’ adulterous ways in self-righteous opinions.
With today’s weblogs, and the large number of them being written as personal journals with some measure of privacy retained, I am amazed at the openness with which people offer their sexual exploits as entertainment. Yet, when one woman revealed her open marriage arrangement, it horrified many. Of course in that particular instance, it was kind of cut and dry and agreed upon by both partners. More acceptable to many that way.
But the old fashioned, unhappy spouse, locked into a loveless marriage, but who just happens to be lucky enough to meet someone that makes her/his heart soar? Well today, they would be publicly stoned.
While I am certainly no advocate of adultery, I can well understand it when the lying and cheating that one is willing to undertake in order to find a little happiness while protecting one’s spouse and children from dishonor by devious maneuvering, is driven by emotional need. There are certainly worse things that people do to each other.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology