Man With a Feather by Lucian Freud

Man With a Feather [Self-portrait] (1943)
Lucian Freud (German, English, 1922-2011)
Oil on canvas
51 x 76 cm

The Barriers Between by Marc Brandel

New York : Dial Press, 1949

The Barriers Between is an intense Freudian novel focused on three Americans living and working in Mexico. Jordan Bushnel is a troubled artist providing art and illustration for magazines in the U.S. His love interest is Sylvia. The final member of the love triangle is fellow artist, Richard Slater, whom Sylvia attempted to bed in the past but is now just a friend (who also happens to be gay).

The novel opens with Jordan on the run and declares his culpability in the murder of Richard two days earlier. Told through flashback, what follows is a description of the events of those two days that reveals much about Jordan's state of mind. Why did he snap?

Both Richard and Sylvia think that Jordan might be gay. Jordan can't explain his attraction to Richard but doesn't interpret it as homosexual interest (although others do). Richard frequently launches subtle barbs suggesting something about Jordan's sexuality.

A significant amount of the dialogue is given over to Jordan's inner conversations in which we learn about his feelings of inadequacy as regards his role in the war. Unable to serve due to a medical condition, he sees his work as an artist-correspondent lacking in masculine credibility. Richard's service as a pilot during the war and his comfort with being gay is a challenge to Jordan's view of himself in the world. Jordan traces his feelings back to the events of his childhood including the stereotypical overbearing mother and emasculated father.

Marc Brandel (1919-1994)
Author of The Barriers Between

The first half ends when the tension between Richard and Jordan comes to a head.  Can Jordan use his internal dialogue or self-psychoanalysis to break the barriers between and reveal his true self?

"It wasn't safe to think any longer. His mind was too tired for evasion, too weary now to divert into conventional thought or fantasy the true cause of his turbulent feelings. He knew the truth about himself now. He was loathsome, utterly vile, without any qualification. But he didn't want sympathy or pity. They needn't be afraid that he was going to break down and ask for help. He was strong enough to take care of himself. He could live the rest of his life with himself, with the secret knowledge of his own vileness, carefully, deliberately, in silence, without ever showing by word or change of expression the hidden torment inside him . . . " (p.96-7)


Bibliographies & Ratings: Cory (III); Garde (OTP, a**); Mattachine Review (III); Young (426 *)

Thoughts by John Dugdale

Thoughts (1999)
John Dugdale (American, 1960-    )
Linked image from Vaga.

Youth by Frederick Cayley Robinson

Youth (1907)
Frederick Cayley Robinson (English, 1862-1927)
Pencil, watercolor and gouache on paper

A Simple Inquiry by Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway, 1918
Portrait by Ermeni Studios

A Simple Inquiry first appeared in Hemingway's second story collection, Men Without Women, published by Scribner's in 1927. Although Hemingway doesn't explicitly describe the setting for the story, it can be deduced that it takes place in Italy during World War I.

The story opens in a snow covered military hut. The major retires to his room while his adjutant, Tonani, continues to busy himself with paperwork. When Pinin, the major's orderly enters, the major calls for him. The 19-year-old Pinin enters the major's room and is questioned about his romantic life. After the major demonstrates that Tonani cannot hear their conversation through the wall, he continues to press the orderly with  additional personal questions. The major appears to be propositioning the young man but when he is gently rebuffed, he backs off. The conversation ends with the major suggesting that Pinin could return to his platoon if he wished but if he stayed he might avoid being wounded.

This story seems a bit of a departure from Hemingway's other writings which are focused on all of the trappings of masculinity. While another of his short stories includes a gay storyline (Mother of a Queen, published in the story collection Winner Take Nothing in 1933), A Simple Inquiry's straightforward telling doesn't moralize about the characters' behaviors.

In June 1918, 18-year-old Ernest Hemingway arrived in Italy to serve as an ambulance driver at the Italian Front during World War I. The genesis for this story may have come from his observations or experiences during the war.

What is commonly termed 'situational homosexuality' presents itself throughout history in all male environments (like the military). As well, Italy has a long reputation of being more permissive around issues of male same-sex activity. In fact, it was considered a normal part of adolescent sexual education, particularly in southern Italy. In 1889 the Zanardelli Code decriminalized same-sex acts in all of unified Italy. This cemented Italy's reputation among Europe's homosexuals of tolerance and enlightenment on legislating these matters.

Bibliographies & Ratings: Cory (IV); Mattachine Review (IV) ; Young (1754*)

Man, from Song of Solomon by Cecil Buller

Man, from Song of Solomon (c1929)
Cecil Buller (Canadian, 1886-1973)
Wood Engraving
151 x 113 mm

My beloved is white and ruddy, he towers above ten thousand.

His head is as the finest gold, his locks black as the raven.

His eyes are as doves by the rivers of milk and plenty.

His cheeks are as a bed of spices, his lips like lilies wet with myrrh.

His arms are as gold set with beryl, his loins as ivory overlaid with sapphires.

His thighs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold.

His countenance is as Mount Lebanon, a man like a cedar!

His mouth is most sweet, he is altogether lovely.

This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Song of Solomon

Chapter V, Verse 10-16

The Brothers by Rudolf Koppitz

The Brothers (1928)
Rudolf Koppitz (Austrian, 1884-1936)