Technological innovations and enlightenment have significantly altered how people interact and socialize. These days, it is relatively easy to communicate and keep in touch with individuals. However, most human values and morals have been eroded in the process as people have developed settled for a casual lifestyle that does not acknowledge the societal attributes of human culture. For example, most couples develop their relationships without getting married and saying their matrimonial vows. Nonetheless, the case is worse for the free souls who roam around engaging in sexual activities with strangers without any emotional connection. Sharon Old’s poem ‘Sex without Love’ specifically addresses such individuals and questions how people can go to such lengths without emotional attachments to their sexual partners. As a result, this essay argues that the ultimate aim of the author was to advise individuals against such behaviors by describing the complex nature of sexual interactions and pointing out that it is unreasonable to share this experience with a stranger.
‘Sex without Love’ adopts a simple but unique approach to describe individuals’ actions when making love, including the physical and emotional processes of sexual experiences as perceived by individuals. The author uses similes and metaphors to describe and compare lovers who engage in sex without feelings for each other to animate and inanimate things. The author notes that these individuals are “beautiful as dancers” and they “glide over each other like ice-skaters” (Olds, lines 1-2). Moreover, in the fourth, fifth, and sixth lines, the author compares the lovers to “red stake” and “children at birth” (Olds lines, 5-7). Therefore, she provides a vivid image of these individuals in their situation.
Olds takes on a critical tone, especially at the beginning, where she questions how people make love without being in love. She suggests that she does not understand how individuals offer their bodies to people without personal and emotional bonds that attract sexual partners to each other. The author openly questions, ‘how do they come to come and not love? (Olds, lines 8-10)” However, the poem also exhibits a passionate and reflective tone when describing how two individuals unify into one and become immersed in the act of sex without any feelings for each other. As a result, the poet leads the audience to perceive the distasteful nature of casual sex as it takes control of mental and physical processes.
“Sex without Love” sends a crucial message to individuals and society by shedding light on the unusual levels of immorality and self-centredness. The poet points out, “These individuals do not mistake their lovers for their pleasure/ they are like great runners/ they know they are alone” (Olds, lines 16-18). Nonetheless, the principles of society support the matrimonial union of a man and woman, who are responsible for declaring their love for each other and sharing the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, many individuals neglect these standards regardless of the role they play in sustaining order in society. Thus, the poem is important because it enables individuals to look back and reflect on their behaviors for positive changes.
Human interactions and personal relationships are becoming more complicated and complex as time goes by. Unfortunately, these complexities have led people to neglect basic norms like settling down and raising a happy family. As a result, many individuals do not observe the tenets set by our forefathers to organize society and limit conflicts. These days, many people engage in meaningless sexual escapades without noting the potential adversities of these habits on their emotional development. Therefore, Sharon Old’s “Sex without Love” aims to deter individuals in society from the immoral behavior of engaging in sex without emotional attachment because it erodes human values. Although people have achieved notable levels of enlightenment, it is crucial to act in a way that reflects human intelligence and morality. Thus, the poet advocates for positive change to limit such behaviors from spreading and interfering with the next generations.
Work Cited
Olds, Sharon. “Sex without Love.”Famous Poets and Poems, 2006-2010.