Connecting the Works:

There is an undeniable connection between Harland’s short story and Beardsley’s illustration as they both mention, “repenting”(Harland, 41). This word has religious connotations and brings forth the idea that the only reason extra marital sex or sex before marriage is frowned upon is because of God and the dominating religious forces that existed during this time.

Nina argued “the couple who go before a priest or a magistrate, and bind themselves in ceremonial marriage, are serving to perpetuate tyranny, are insulting the dignity of human nature”(Harland, 36), showing how the convention of repenting is created by those who are afraid and under religious influence. In terms of sexuality, this repression is very problematic in the liberation of women.

Beardsley’s illustration relates by showing his own character repenting in an ironic way.It can be argued that he wishes to eradicate the stigma that accompanies sexual indiscretions outside of marriage by showing that it is women who are judging women and not even men. It begs the question of how peoples opinions would have changed during this time if God was not a main motivating factor behind sexuality and whether or not more people would be freely engaging in these activities safe from the ridicule of judging eyes that surround them.

Criticism:

Harland’s short story is progressive in its expression of attitudes towards female sexuality, but should be faulted in the way it continues to depict women as a prize for men to possess. An important aspect of the story is that it is told from a male’s perspective that desires to possess Nina. He is not the only one, many other married and non-married men wished to have her. This turned her into a prize to possess. They were “Savagely, luridly, jealous. If we could not win her, no one else should; and we formed ourselves round her in a ring of fire that males can possess” (Harland 39). The direct mention to possession begs the question of how progressive Harland’s views actually were and what he was trying to express to his readers.