A Queer Conversation

I’m almost done with reading The Pure and The Impure by Colette. Colette’s prose is beautifully poetic and almost romanticizes the idea of queerness. It really solidified the idea that homosexuality didn’t “begin” in the late 20th century. Colette talks about two women in the 18th century who ran away together in order to love properly. The 18th century! Homosexuality is not a new concept and the way Colette discussed the subject is quite calming. She talks as if homosexuality is “normal” for her time in the twenties. It’s important to also note that Colette was spending her time in France. It’s pure speculation, but I assume being queer in Europe was different - maybe slightly more excepting - than it was in the states. Colette even discusses gender; discussing men dressing as women and women dressed as men. The way she discusses the subject is the way society should respond to gender queerness. They should react with a sense of normality and moral grayness.

I am on the last chapter and I look forward to reading more of Colette’s work. She is currently my favorite author.