#p. 86

[returntomytilene]

‘[A]ccording to Susan Gubar, Vivien’s cult of death has certain, if limited, positive literary value. Vivien “subversively implies . . . that the lesbian is the epitome of the decadent and that decadence is fundamentally a lesbian literary tradition.” Thus, Vivien initially borrows but then recreates and reclaims decadence for herself.’

— Karla Jay, The Amazon and the Page

[returntomytilene]

‘Death, sex, and mystical transport are also inextricably entwined in Vivien’s poetry because all three hold the promise of transcendence. Increasingly, death becomes the most important component of her religion of love because the transcendence offered is permanent and perfect, while it still retains certain of the thrills of sexuality.’

— Karla Jay, The Amazon and the Page

[girlsloths]

more sown with ideas than the door of a cathedral

Swann's Way, Proust