From: teshima@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (A. Lani Teshima)
Subject: Re: It (sewer scene)
Organization: University of Hawaii
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 23:59:49 GMT

In article <1992Aug7.094419.1798@bvc.edu> frantz@bvc.edu writes:
>>>>In article <Heilberg.12.712934004@FASECON.ECON.NYU.EDU> Heilberg@FASECON.ECON.NYU.EDU (Cindy Heilberger) writes:
>>>>>How about the gang sex thing.  That wasn't in the movie (was it?  I saw it
>>>>>ages ago and read the book even further back).  But that sex thing...with
>>>>>Frannie doing all the boys, that remains in my mind.
>>>>
>>>>Wrong book... Frannie is in the Stand (I think...)  Beverly was in IT.
>>>>>
>>>>>Talk to me about that.  Was that the big moment when the kids conquer their
>>>>>fear of the big unknown?  The big IT?  Doing IT??
>>>>
>>>>This is the one part of the book that i really didn't understand...
>>>>WHY did they do this?
>> 
>>>Easy one. In the act of physical bonding they created far more than a
>>>physical bond. It was an emotional, spiritual bonding that took
>>>place--perhaps the only thing strong enough to bring them back together
>>>thirty years later.
>> 
>>I have just taken a fantasy (including horror & sci-fi) literature course and
>>we discussed this exact story and scene (part).  It mostly has to do with the
>>fact that a major portrail of a strong woman was that of a whore. Most of the
>>actresses in old English theatre doubled as prostitutes.  The was also some
>>mention by our instructor about something in Medieval times of knights having
>>sex with a "public" whore that stayed with the regiment or whatever.  Can
>>anyone expand upon this?  It was mentioned that it was strange of King (being
>>a fairly liberal type of guy) to include such an old stereotype of women.  
>>Any comments?
>
>Beverly was hardly the perfect image of the "public whore" you're 
>describing.  Instead, I think she fits King's pattern of turning most of 
>his female characters into victims--mostly at the hands of men (exceptions 
>might be Annie Wilkes, Frannie Goldsmith, and Mother Abigail).  Don't get 

Why do you all think Beverly was submissive? She was the one to use
the slingshot on It, and frankly, I think being with the group gave
her the strength she didn't have. I could hardly agree with the idea
that she "gave in" or was a "public whore." Because of her abuse from
her father, she was already aware that her body was a "commodity." By
giving and sharing her body willingly, she was giving the boys
something that meant the most to her--her choice to say
"yes" (versus wanting to say "no" to her father). And by giving the
boys her priceless gift, she was helping seal their bond.

At first I found this scene somewhat strange, until I thought about it
and realized the power involved in it. The love for eachother
culminated in this (after all, isn't life conceived this way?), and I
thought it was pretty awesome. Maybe this is just coming from a female
perspective.



--
A. Lani Teshima, UH School of Library & Info Studies   o | /_/_/ "Sea Hare"
A small mind is easily filled with faith.               o|<0_0>--------*
Blessed is a mind too small for doubt.                    \=^-| |____| | 
teshima@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.edu                                 \_}B   \_}B
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