Stranger in a Strange Land Sex Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

"Exhibitionism" had been to her just a technical term—a weakness she held in contempt. Now, in digging out her own and looking at it, she decided that either this form of narcissism was normal, or she was abnormal. But she didn't feel abnormal; she felt healthier than ever. […] Okay, if a healthy woman liked to be looked at, then it follows as the night the day that healthy men should like to look." (29.41-42)

Jill reconsiders healthy sexuality for women. By changing her view on how she feels being looked at, she also changes her view on whether or not it's healthy for men to look. Since Stranger was written by a man, the issue can get a little thorny here.

Quote #5

But she was amazed to find that her excitement increased as she looked through his eyes at other girls. (29.83)

Jill vicariously feels what it's like for a man to look at a desirable woman. Again, her conclusions may seem odd depending on your point of view. But we should consider that the idea of understanding is more central to this passage than the conclusions it draws.

Quote #6

"Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other, or assumes that the greater the love, the greater the jealousy—in fact, they're almost incompatible; one emotion hardly leaves room for the other." (33.57)

Jubal tells Ben one of the creeds of Mike's church. By removing jealousy, in this case sexual jealousy, Mike hopes to increase the love between all the people in his Nest. An interesting note: it was jealousy that led Mike to being stranded on Mars in the first place, right? So without jealousy, Mike would have never become a Martian.