Sexual Intercourse and Manipulative Protagonist - 1199 Words

Damaging Effects of Libertinism on the Female Psyche In Haywood’s â€Å"Fantomina,† Haywood argues against libertine practices and attitudes, because of the abject effects libertinism has on women. Her portrayal of a supremely witty and manipulative protagonist, who is unable to overcome her biological limitations while still wishing to continue seducing her mark, exemplifies women’s inability to compete in a male–oriented philandering playing field. The ironic ease of sexual surrender from the different characters, the overtly carnal descriptions from the narrator, and the protagonist’s theatricality reflect Haywood’s open critique of libertinism’s adverse ramifications on the female psyche. She designs the increasing social statuses of†¦show more content†¦Conversely, instead of seeking retribution, she may have endeavored to fall in love with Beauplaisir. If such is the case, she falls out of love, as she reads his letters to Mrs. Bloomer and Fantomina. She calls him, â€Å" Traitor!† and realizes he only says what women desire to hear. After her epiphany, her actions border on obsession. She becomes possessive of a man who she knows is unfaithful, but makes no plans to break off her escapades. Her going into labor is the only reason she must stop. The irony of her lack of sexual resistance as she changes from character to character makes the protagonist appear damaged and misguided. No matter what her objective is, she approaches it poorly and ends up causing even more emotional damage to herself. The narrator’s use of carnal descriptions, becoming more explicit as the protagonist becomes more and more sexual, characterizes the protagonist’s extreme behavior. In the beginning, the narrator’s diction is subtle. When the protagonist first dresses as Fantomina, and begins to spend time with Beauplaisir, she enjoys the time she has with him, but does not entirely think about having sex with him. This is still before the rape, so she is somewhat innocent. The narrator describes her feelings by saying, â€Å"†¦she found a vast deal of Pleasure in conversing with him in this free and unrestraind Manner† (2567). The use of â€Å"Pleasure† is intended to hint at the attraction developing between the two. She feels it, and heShow MoreRelatedAdaptation in Life of Pi and Lolita1644 Words   |  7 PagesWhereas most readers would assume that Pi’s loss of the innocence is more disturbing, because his life was under threat, Lolita’s was more upsetting because she was the victim of crime. Both of the protagonists’ loss of innocence happens during stressful moments in each story, through their developing manipulative tactics, and through their hidden instincts. 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