Posted by scrumdidilie at spider-mtc-tg072.proxy.aol.com on May 22, 2002 at 20:42:24:
Is Alyssa's relationship a partnership, like that of a liberated feminist, or is it liberated patriarchal -- in which her definition of a partnership is really only liberated in terms of a male-like role? For example, although she seems pretty much liberated in the highest sense of the word, because of her relationships as a lesbian AND heterosexual, she behaves as a patriarch towards the girlfriend in the club, as well as in her previous dominating (or so she says) history with the two men in high school. Is that really so liberated? Or does she also assume a patriarchal role over Holden? I've lost track of the difference by now. Could somebody please help me out?