Previous Next

She believed that her show of eagerness would lead to the pleasures she knew about, in solitude and in her imagination, and she felt that it was up to Maury to take over. Which he would not do.
These sieges left them both disturbed and slightly angry or ashamed, so that they could not stop kissing, clinging, and using fond words to make it up to each other.

This quote occurs early in the story as Grace ventures into the world of sexuality and discovers disappointment. She is preoccupied not only with the romance of her relationship but with the physical pleasures that she expects will come along with it. Unfortunately for Grace, Maury is resistant because he believes he is protecting her chastity and doesn’t understand chastity doesn’t matter to Grace. Their inexperienced sexual fumblings leave Grace sexually frustrated and Maury emotionally confused. The resulting awkwardness reveals that both Grace and Maury are at a critical juncture for understanding who they are as individuals and as sexual beings. Grace’s recollections of her awkward sexual awakening reveal she has come to accept these awkward moments. She understands that her summer with Maury was a normal part of her journey as a sexual being. The awkwardness between Grace and Maury helped her to understand what she did not want in a sexual or romantic relationship long-term and to alleviate her shame about these things.

Neil held her so tightly, with such continuous, changing pressure that it seemed as if more than two arms were needed, as if she were surrounded by him, his body strong and light, demanding and renouncing all at once, telling her that she was wrong to give up on him, everything was possible, but then again that she was not wrong, he meant to stamp himself on her and go.

At the very end of the story, Grace reflects on her final moments with Neil. In contrast to Maury, who is representative of conformity and the ideal man with whom to fall in love, Neil represents a darker, more passionate love interest. Grace is initially drawn to Neil, who speaks openly of sexuality while Maury rebuffs her advances. However, after spending an afternoon in Neil’s company Grace comes to understand the danger of opening herself up sexually to Neil. She is not worried about her reputation being sullied by having premarital sex, but rather about honoring her own desires. Grace’s desires no longer include Neil because she recognizes that sex with Neil would not bring about the intimacy she longs for as Neil is a destructive person whose touch would be destructive to her as well.

Previous section The Experience of Coming of Age Next section Grace

Take a Study Break