While we never see characters going beyond second-base kind of stuff in Hush, Hush, there is frequent mention of attraction, scintillating touches, and wrapping legs around bodies that suggest character imaginations may be going to home-base territory. While scenes like this abound, there are still several different views of sex presented in the book: There's the scientific view laid out in bio class, the casual view presented by Vee, the intensely lustful view Patch represents, the feminist view outlined by Dorothea, and the manipulative-sex-as-weapon view presented by Jules and Elliot.
Nora is a pretty blank slate when it comes to sex. She hasn't had sex, and it doesn't really even seem like she's thought about it much based on her early conversations with Vee. However, sex is almost immediately on the brain when she meets Patch, though Nora feels the need to restrict herself around him and squelch her sexual desire. Good luck, girl.
Questions About Sex
- In the book, is sexual attraction more of a biological impulse or a conscious choice?
- How does Nora's attitude toward sex change from the beginning of the book to the end? What factors impact the way her attitude changes?
- How do different characters interpret the significance of sex?
- Patch fell because of lust. How does knowing this impact the way you view sex in the story as well as sex as part of Patch's character? Why?
Chew on This
In Hush, Hush, sex is a powerful tool that can be used to dominate others.
In Hush, Hush, sex is many things, but it's always transformative.