By Julianna Nelson-Gaudette
Elm Staff Writer
The Rose O’Neill Literary House filled with gasps and laughter on Tuesday, Feb. 24 during the Writers’ Union’s annual Erotic Literature Night.
Each spring semester, the reading attracts union members and students looking for a safe space for self-expression and light-hearted humor in discussion of romantically explicit literary material.
“It’s nice to be able to hear other people’s perspective on things…and share other people’s work, [and listen] to their favorite works,” Writers’ Union secretary junior Sarahbeth Metzger said.
In past years, attendees read lyrics from raunchy pop songs, lines from adult romance novels, and short excerpts from fanfiction. This year, however, the reading took a more critical approach to the idea of eroticism.
Writers’ Unions vice president senior Karlis Povisils read book-tuber Dominic Noble’s review of E. L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey,” titled “Fifty Shades of Physical and Emotional Abuse.”
The review uncovered many misconceptions associated with the series, including the true meaning of BDSM, what that means for the relationship between the series’ main characters, and the lack of completely consensual eroticism.
“I just liked [Noble’s] opinion of the book. I thought it was funny, tragic, and mostly informative,” Povisils said.
While the review itself was written with a comedic voice, its content did little to ignite any ideas of romance as are widely conceived about the series, which was ultimately greatly appreciated by the audience.
In the “Fifty Shades” series, James writes about the relationship between two characters with conflicting attitudes towards intimacy and love. Often, the lines between mutually consensual sexual encounters and domestic violence are blurred, making readership uncomfortable.
“To have a discussion about the morality behind the ethics of the relationship between [the characters] Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey was really nice,” Metzger said.
Other readings included Emily Dickinson’s poetry, readers’ personal journal entries and experiences, and short stories packed with subtly erotic imagery, rather than outwardly sexual content.
Writers’ Union president senior Seth Horan read an excerpt from “Patriotism,” a short story by Yukio Mishima which details the ritual suicide between a Japanese lieutenant and his wife in 1936.
Horan clarified for the audience that the chosen passage detailed the moments after intercourse but before the couple’s ultimate deaths, void of any viscerally sexual scenes or descriptions.
Although, at the surface, the story did not adhere to the broadcast prompt of the event, Horan decided to read it, nonetheless.
“I was really intrigued by [Mishima’s] consistent engagement with sex and death as almost a cumulative item,” Horan said.
Each year, Writers’ Union hosts the event in hopes of attracting students searching for a place on campus where they can discuss the taboos of sex and relish in their favorite erotic works with likeminded and receptive peers.
“I like helping people feel seen at these events … getting to hear what people enjoy is really helpful for building community and helping people feel seen,” Horan said.
While this year’s Erotic Lit Night has come and gone, the Writers’ Union’s next upcoming event is their annual Sophomore and Junior Reading at The Rose O’Neill Literary House on Mar. 7.
Prepare to hear the blossoming writing of peers at the College or share personal pieces of poetry, fiction, prose, journal, or travel writing.
Photo Caption: Writers’ Union President senior Seth Horan read an excerpt from a Japanese short story.
Photo by Myla Harrell