+ It's surely no coincidence that Forster had the two men walking between the figures
into_the_greenwood, you're amazing. This was exactly what I was waiting to bring up.
Lamassu: Symbols of power and protection, massive winged sphinxes, or lamassu, have their roots in Babylonian magical traditions, although they are more usually associated with Assyrian culture (c.1000-600 BC). With the body of a bull or lion, sometimes with five legs, winged, and with bearded human heads, these sculptures were incorporated into important civic structures, such as the royal palace or city gateways. Some stood as high as 5m (16ft) and weighed as much as 30 tons. The lion and the bull symbolized masculine power, virility and sovereignty, although both animals were also associated with the moon goddess: the spectacular Ishtar Gate that led into the city of Babylon was decorated with lions, while the bull's horns on Ishtar's headdress denoted the crescent moon. The head of the lamassu symbolized the power of the sovereign to protect his people, the wings denoted his ability to fly, while the legs represented vigilance against both human and supernatural enemies who could attack from any direction. (Reference.)
The perfect symbol, imo. Not only do you have the masculinity and virility of the lion/bull, but the Lamassu's connection to the moon. Perhaps Forster did not mean to take it quite that far, but it's interesting to consider. (I'm rather enamored with the idea, myself.)
+ discarding his own name and taking Alec's, leaving Alec rather high and dry in his determination to make Maurice 'pay' for humiliating him, now that he realises that wasn't the case.
I don't think it was the use of his name that made Alec lose his wind. In fact, I thought it infuriated him even more for a gentleman to hide behind his name. He seemed indignant, pointing out Maurice's lie and bringing up his "serious charge" to a complete stranger.
So what made him back down? Perhaps it was how smoothly Maurice handled the situation, how Mr. Ducie remained ignorant of how serious it was despite Alec's claim... or maybe it was the simple press of fingertips against the nape of his neck, that little hint of intimacy.
+ Maurice appears to have some major enlightenments in this chapter; what do you think about that
I still think he's a self-centered fool, but it's a big step in the right direction for at least he knows what he wants. Plus his experience with Clive and all that worry over potential blackmail made him realize that the likelihood of finding another friend such as Alec was slim to none.
+ There seems to be a difference between the ending of this relationship and the ending of things with Clive. Does the respective honesty of all the men concerned have anything to do with this, do you think?
While Clive's inner turmoil may have only served to further confuse Maurice, Clive continues to drag their charade of a friendship on for the sake of his own guilt. Rather than help Maurice, this has made him bitter and urged him to find some end to his misery. Alec, on the other hand, was rather upfront, but even that honesty said that their love was too dangerous and not worth the risk. If Alec had kept his word and left for good, then what would that have done to Maurice? Dr. Lasker-Jones pretty much told him that hypnotism would be of no further help, so it's not like he could continue as he had with some hope of a cure. Would he eventually give into Lust and seek out the occasional clandestine affair? Would he fall in love again? Would he forever pine over Scudder, maybe take his own life for real this time? (Thank you Forster for your insistence on a happy ending.)
+ What do you think about Alec knowing of a place they can stay the night?
Suspicious? Yeah. Alec could have just passed it on the street and assumed a room would afford them all the privacy they needed, but maybe he's stayed there before (with or without women) or he heard about it. Whichever it was, I doubt Alec has been with men there. We know that their night together was Maurice's first time, but Alec's threats give the impression that he believes a lot more went on between Clive and Maurice than what actually happened. And that leads me to believe that Alec didn't have much experience with men, if at all, enough so that he didn't pick up on Maurice's inexperience.
no subject
Lamassu:
Symbols of power and protection, massive winged sphinxes, or lamassu, have their roots in Babylonian magical traditions, although they are more usually associated with Assyrian culture (c.1000-600 BC). With the body of a bull or lion, sometimes with five legs, winged, and with bearded human heads, these sculptures were incorporated into important civic structures, such as the royal palace or city gateways. Some stood as high as 5m (16ft) and weighed as much as 30 tons. The lion and the bull symbolized masculine power, virility and sovereignty, although both animals were also associated with the moon goddess: the spectacular Ishtar Gate that led into the city of Babylon was decorated with lions, while the bull's horns on Ishtar's headdress denoted the crescent moon. The head of the lamassu symbolized the power of the sovereign to protect his people, the wings denoted his ability to fly, while the legs represented vigilance against both human and supernatural enemies who could attack from any direction. (Reference.)
The perfect symbol, imo. Not only do you have the masculinity and virility of the lion/bull, but the Lamassu's connection to the moon. Perhaps Forster did not mean to take it quite that far, but it's interesting to consider. (I'm rather enamored with the idea, myself.)
+ discarding his own name and taking Alec's, leaving Alec rather high and dry in his determination to make Maurice 'pay' for humiliating him, now that he realises that wasn't the case.
I don't think it was the use of his name that made Alec lose his wind. In fact, I thought it infuriated him even more for a gentleman to hide behind his name. He seemed indignant, pointing out Maurice's lie and bringing up his "serious charge" to a complete stranger.
So what made him back down? Perhaps it was how smoothly Maurice handled the situation, how Mr. Ducie remained ignorant of how serious it was despite Alec's claim... or maybe it was the simple press of fingertips against the nape of his neck, that little hint of intimacy.
+ Maurice appears to have some major enlightenments in this chapter; what do you think about that
I still think he's a self-centered fool, but it's a big step in the right direction for at least he knows what he wants. Plus his experience with Clive and all that worry over potential blackmail made him realize that the likelihood of finding another friend such as Alec was slim to none.
+ There seems to be a difference between the ending of this relationship and the ending of things with Clive. Does the respective honesty of all the men concerned have anything to do with this, do you think?
While Clive's inner turmoil may have only served to further confuse Maurice, Clive continues to drag their charade of a friendship on for the sake of his own guilt. Rather than help Maurice, this has made him bitter and urged him to find some end to his misery. Alec, on the other hand, was rather upfront, but even that honesty said that their love was too dangerous and not worth the risk. If Alec had kept his word and left for good, then what would that have done to Maurice? Dr. Lasker-Jones pretty much told him that hypnotism would be of no further help, so it's not like he could continue as he had with some hope of a cure. Would he eventually give into Lust and seek out the occasional clandestine affair? Would he fall in love again? Would he forever pine over Scudder, maybe take his own life for real this time? (Thank you Forster for your insistence on a happy ending.)
+ What do you think about Alec knowing of a place they can stay the night?
Suspicious? Yeah. Alec could have just passed it on the street and assumed a room would afford them all the privacy they needed, but maybe he's stayed there before (with or without women) or he heard about it. Whichever it was, I doubt Alec has been with men there. We know that their night together was Maurice's first time, but Alec's threats give the impression that he believes a lot more went on between Clive and Maurice than what actually happened. And that leads me to believe that Alec didn't have much experience with men, if at all, enough so that he didn't pick up on Maurice's inexperience.