How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"I mean, I think people often try to find through sex, things that are much easier to find in other ways." (7.94)
What is Therese trying to say here? Is she saying that sex is unnecessary? Or is this just her youthful inexperience talking? What are Carol and Therese trying to find through sex?
Quote #5
"I don't mean people like that. I mean two people who fall in love suddenly with each other, out of the blue. Say two men or two girls." (8.73)
This is an example of how the characters talk about sexuality in the book. The words gay or lesbian are never used, yet same-sex relationships are talked about openly. Even if they are still taboo, they're not entirely secret.
Quote #6
And she thought suddenly of the times she had gone to bed with him, of her distance then compared to the closeness that was supposed to be, that everyone talked about. It hadn't mattered to Richard then, she supposed, because of the physical fact they were in bed together. (9.118)
It seems that Therese believes that Richard, as a man, cares only about the physical aspect of sex, whereas she, as a woman, finds it more emotional—and she doesn't feel powerful emotions with Richard.