Sex and Vanity: A Novel

Lucie Churchill’s romantic and sexual feelings for George Zao put her in conflict with her family, culture, and social contexts. Before Lucie meets George in Capri, she has devoted herself to “being the dutiful daughter” and always “deferred to her mother” (21). She’s grown up understanding that a lady of high society should be collected and contained. However, George awakens her desire for exploration and excitement and thus compromises her controlled version of self. She fears that she’s “too uptight and proper,” “believe[s] too much in decorum,” and unconsciously longs to challenge these facets of her character (37). George spurs Lucie’s desire and creates tension between her internal and external worlds. Lucie finds herself constantly torn between pursuing what she wants and meeting others’ expectations, whether those of her family or social circle. Lucie’s competing desires incite the narrative tension and ignite complex questions about the consequences of doing what one wants versus disappointing others.

The narrative style and form shift whenever Lucie feels caught between her desire to be with George and her desire to conform to her social circle’s expectations. In such passages, the narration from Lucie’s

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