Giovanni's Room Sexuality and Sexual Identity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"I'm sort of queer for girls myself." (1.2.51)

What is the affect of David using the word "queer" to describe the fact that he is interested in women? How does the context (Guillaume's gay bar) affect David's word choice?

Quote #5

"Because there is no affection in them, and no joy. It's like putting an electric plug in a dead socket. Touch, but no contact. All touch, but no contact and no light." (1.3.87)

Here is Jacques's description of why his sexual affairs seem shameful. If Jacques thinks that they're shameful, why does he continue them? What alternatives does he have? To what extent is he admitting that he is living vicariously through David and Giovanni?

Quote #6

"Women are like water. They are tempting like that, and they can be that treacherous, and they can seem to be that bottomless, you know? – and they can be that shallow. And that dirty." He stopped. "I perhaps don't like women very much, that's true. That hasn't stopped me from making love to many and loving one or two. But most of the time – most of the time I made love only with the body." (2.1.26)

In this quote, Giovanni describes his relationships with women. Is it possible to love a woman (or a man, for that matter) without liking her? Is it possible to love a woman without respecting her? What is the relationship between loving and liking, between loving and respecting?