Studies in the psychology of sex, volume 2 by Havelock Ellis. - HTML preview

"From what I have been told by those who have experienced these 'raves'

and have since been in love with men, the emotions called forth in both

cases were similar, although in the case of the 'rave'

this fact was not

recognized at the time. This appears to point to a sexual basis, but, on

the other hand, there are many cases where the feeling seems to be more

spiritual, a sort of uplifting of the whole soul with an intense desire to

lead a very good life--the feeling being one of reverence more than

anything else for the loved one, with no desire to become too intimate and

no desire for physical contact.

"'Raves,' as a rule, begin quite suddenly. They may be mutual or all on

one side. In the case of school-girls the mutual 'rave'

is generally found

between two companions, or the girls may have a 'rave'

for one of their

teachers or some grown-up acquaintance, who does not necessarily enter

into the school-life. In this case there may or may not be a feeling of

affection for the girl by her 'rave,' though minus all the emotional

feelings.

"Occasionally a senior student will have a 'rave' on a little girl, but

these cases are rare and not very active in their symptoms, girls over 18

having fewer 'raves' and generally condemning them.

"In the large school already referred to, of which I have personal

knowledge, 'raving' was very general, hardly anyone being free from it.

Any fresh student would soon fall a victim to the fashion, which rather

points to the fact that it is infectious. Sometimes there might be a lull

in the general raving, only to reappear after an interval in more or less

of an epidemic form. Sometimes nearly all the 'raves'

were felt by

students for their teachers; at other times it was more apparent between

the girls themselves.

"Sometimes one teacher was raved on by several girls. In many cases, the

girls raving on a teacher would have a very great friendship with one of

their companions--talking with each other constantly of their respective

'raves,' describing their feelings and generally letting off steam to one

another, indulging sometimes in the active demonstrations of affection

which they were debarred from showing the teacher herself, and in some

cases having no desire to do so even if they could.

"As far as I have been able to judge, there is not necessarily any

attraction for physical characteristics, as beauty, elegance, etc.; the

two participants are probably both of strong character or a weak character

raves on a stronger, but rarely _vice versâ_.

"I have often noticed that the same person may be raved on at different

times by several people of different characters and of all ages: say, up

to 30 years of age. It is hard to say why some persons more than others

should inspire this feeling. Often they are reserved, without any

particular physical attraction, and often despising raving and emotional

friendships, and give no encouragement to them. That the majority of

'raves' have a sexual basis may be true, but I am sure that in the

majority of cases where young girls are concerned this is not in the least

recognized, and no impurity is indulged in or wished for. The majority of

the girls are entirely ignorant of all sexual matters, and understand

nothing whatever about them. But they do wonder about them and talk about

them constantly, more especially when they have a

'rave,' which seems to

point to some subtle connection between the two. That this ignorance

exists is largely to be deplored. The subject, if once thought of, is

always thought of and talked of, and information is at length generally

gained in a regrettable manner. From personal experience I know the evil

results that this ignorance and constant endeavoring to find out

everything has on the mind and bodies of school-girls.

If children had the

natural and simple laws of creation carefully explained to them by their

parents, much harm would be prevented, and the conversation would not

always turn on sexual matters. The Bible is often consulted for the

discovery of hidden mysteries.

"'Raves' on teachers are far commoner than between two girls. In this case

the girl makes no secret of her attachment, constantly talking of it and

describing her feelings to any who care to listen and writing long letters

to her friends about the same. In the case of two girls there is more

likely to be a sexual element, great pleasure being taken in close contact

with one another and frequent kissing and hugging. When parted, long

letters are written, often daily; they are full of affectionate

expressions of love, etc., but there is also a frequent reference to the

happiness and desire to do well that their love has inspired them with,

while often very deeply religious feelings appear to be generated and many

good resolutions are made. Their various emotional feelings are described

in every minute detail to each other.

"The duration of 'raves' varies. I have known them to last three or four

years, more often only a few months. Occasionally what began as a 'rave'

will turn, into a sensible firm friendship. I imagine that there is seldom

any actual inversion, and on growing up the 'raves'

generally cease. That

the 'ravers' feel and act like a pair of lovers there is no doubt, and the

majority put down these romantic friendships for their own sex as due, in

a great extent, in the case of girls at schools, to being without the

society of the opposite sex. This may be true in some cases, but

personally I think the question open to discussion.

These friendships are

often found among girls who have left school and have every liberty, even

among girls who have had numerous flirtations with the opposite sex, who

cannot be accused of inversion, and who have all the feminine and domestic

characteristics.

"In illustration of these points I may bring forward the following case:

A. and B. were two girls at the same college. They belonged to different

cliques, or sets; occupied different bedrooms; never met in their

school-work, and were practically only known to one another by name. One

day they chanced to sit next to one another at some meal. They both

already had 'raves,' A. on an actor she had lately seen, B. on a married

woman at her home. The conversation happened to turn on

'raves,' and

mutual attraction was _suddenly_ felt. From that moment a new interest

came into their lives. They lived for one another. At the time A. was 14,

B. a year older. Both were somewhat precocious for their age, were

practical, with plenty of common sense, very keen on games, interested in

their lessons, and very independent, but at the same time with marked

feminine characteristics and popular with the opposite sex. After the

first feeling of interest there was a subtle excitement and desire to

meet again. All their thoughts were occupied with the subject. Each day

they managed as many private meetings as possible. They met in the

passages in order to say good-night with many embraces.

As far as possible

they hid their feelings from the rest of their world.

They became

inseparable, and a very lasting and real, but somewhat emotional,

affection, in which the sexual element was certainly marked, sprang up

between them. Although at the time they were both quite ignorant of sexual

matters, yet they indulged their sexual instincts to some extent. They

felt surcharged with hitherto unexperienced feelings and emotions,

instinct urged them to let these have play, but instinctively they also

had a feeling that to do so would be wrong. This feeling they endeavored

to argue out and find reasons for. When parted for any length of time they

felt very miserable and wrote pages to one another every day, pouring

forth in writing their feelings for one another. In this time of active

attraction they both became deeply religious for a time.

The active part

of the affection continued for three or four years, and now, after an

interval of ten years, they are both exceedingly fond of one another,

although their paths in life are divided and each has since experienced

love for a man. Both look back upon the sexual element in their friendship

with some interest. It may be remarked in passing that A. and B. are both

attractive girls to men and women, and B. especially appears always to

have roused 'rave' feelings in her own sex, without the slightest

encouragement on her part. The duration of this 'rave'

was exceptionally

long, the majority only lasting a few months, while some girls have one

'rave' after another or two or three together.

"I may mention one other case, where I believe that if it a sexual basis

this was not recognized by the parties concerned or their friends. Two

girls, over 20 years of age, passed in a corridor. A few words were

exchanged: the beginning of a very warm and fast friendship. They said it

was _not_ a 'rave.' They were absolutely devoted to one another, but from

what I know of them and what they have since told me, their feelings were

quite free from any sexual desires, though their love for one another was

great. When parted they exchanged letters daily, but were always

endeavoring to urge one another on in all the virtues, and as far as I can

gather they never gave way to any feeling they thought was not for the

good of their souls.

"Letters and presents are exchanged, vows of eternal love are made,

quarrels are engaged in for the mere pleasure of reconciliation, and

jealousy is easily manifested. Although 'raves' are chiefly found among

school-girls, they are by no means confined to them, but are common among

any community of women of any age, say, under 30, and are not unknown

among married women when there is no inversion. In these oases there is

usually, of course, no ignorance of sexual matters.

"Whether there is any direct harm in these friendships I have not been

able to make up my mind. In the case of school-girls, if there is not too

much emotion generated and if the sexual feelings are not indulged in, I

think they may do more good than harm. Later on in life, when all one's

desires and feelings are at their strongest, it is more doubtful."

III.

That the phenomena as found in the girls' colleges of America are exactly

similar to those in Italy and England is shown, among other evidence, by

some communications sent to Mr. E.G. Lancaster, of Clark University,

Worcester, Mass., a few years ago.

Mr. E.G. Lancaster sent out a _questionnaire_ to over 800 teachers and

older pupils dealing with various points connected with adolescence, and

received answers from 91 persons containing information which bore on the

present question.[279] Of this number, 28 male and 41

female had been in

love before the age of 25, while 11 of each sex had had no love

experiences, this indicating, since the women were in a majority, that the

absence of love experience is more common in men than in women. These

answers were from young people between 16 and 25 years of age. Two males

and 7 females have loved imaginary characters, while 3

males and not less

than 46 females speak of passionate love for the same sex. Love of the

same sex, Lancaster remarks, though not generally known, is very common;

it is not mere friendship; the love is strong, real, and passionate. It

may be remarked that these 49 cases were reported without solicitation,

since there was no reference to homosexual love in the _questionnaire_.

Many of the answers to the syllabus are so beautiful, Lancaster observes,

that if they could be printed in full no comment would be necessary. He

quotes a few of the answers. Thus a woman of 33 writes:

"At 14 I had my

first case of love, but it was with a girl. It was insane, intense love,

but had the same quality and sensations as my first love with a man at 18.

In neither case was the object idealized. I was perfectly aware of their

faults; nevertheless my whole being was lost, immersed in their existence.

The first lasted two years, the second seven years. No love has since been

so intense, but now these persons, though living, are no more to me than

the veriest stranger." Another woman of 35 writes:

"Girls between the ages

of 14 and 18 at college or girls' schools often fall in love with the same

sex. This is not friendship. The loved one is older, more advanced, more

charming or beautiful. When I was a freshman in college I knew at least

thirty girls who were in love with a senior. Some sought her because it

was the fashion, but I knew that my own homage and that of many others was

sincere and passionate. I loved her because she was brilliant and utterly

indifferent to the love shown her. She was not pretty, though at the time

we thought her beautiful. One of her adorers, on being slighted, was ill

for two weeks. On her return she was speaking to me when the object of our

admiration came into the room. The shock was too great and she fainted.

When I reached the senior year I was the recipient of languishing glances,

original verses, roses, and passionate letters written at midnight and

three in the morning." No similar confessions are recorded from men.

IV.

In South America corresponding phenomena have been found in schools and

colleges of the same class. There they have been especially studied by

Mercante in the convent High Schools of Buenos Aires where the students

are girls between the ages of 10 and 22.[280] Mercante found that

homosexuality here is not clearly defined or explicit and usually it is

combined with a predisposition to romanticism and mysticism. It is usually

of a passive kind, but in this form so widespread as to constitute a kind

of epidemic. It was most manifest in institutions where the greatest

stress was placed on religious instruction.

The recreations of the school in question were quiet and enervating;

active or boisterous sports were prohibited to the end that good manners

might be cultivated. In the play-rooms, the girls observed the strictest

etiquette, and discipline was maintained independent of oversight by

teachers. Mercante could hardly believe, however, that the decorum was

more than external.

Later, when the girls broke up, they were found in pairs or small groups,

in corners, on benches, beside the pillars, arm in arm or holding hands.

What they were speaking of could be surmised. "Their conversation and

confidences came to me indirectly. They were sweethearts talking about

their affairs. In spite of the spiritual and feminine character of these

unions, one element was active, the other passive, thus confirming the

authorities on this matter, Gamier, Régis, Lombroso, Bonfigli."

Mercante found the points of view of the two members of each pair to be

quite different in moral aspect. "One takes the initiative, she commands,

she cares for, she offers, she gives, she makes decisions, she considers

the present, she imagines the future, she smoothes over difficulties,

gives encouragement and initiative, she commands, she cares for, she

offers, she gives, she docile, gives way in matters of dispute, and

expresses her affection with sweet words and promises of love and

submission. The atmosphere, silent and quiet, was, however, charged with

jealousy, squabble, desires, illusions, dreams, and lamentations."

Mercante's informant assured him that practically every girl had her

affinity, and that there were at least twenty well-defined love affairs.

The active party starts the conquest by making eyes, next she becomes more

intimate, and finally proposes. Women being highly adaptable, the

neophyte, unless she is rebellious, gets into the spirit of it all. If she

is not complaisant, she must prepare for conflict, because the prey

becomes more desirable the more the resistance encountered.

Opportunity was offered to Mercante to observe some of the correspondence

between the girls. Though of indifferent training and ability in other

respects, the girls speak and write regarding their affairs with most

admirable diction and style. No data are given regarding the actual

intimate relations between the girls.

FOOTNOTES:

[279] E.G. Lancaster, "The Psychology and Pedagogy of Adolescence,"

_Pedagogical Seminary_, July, 1897, p. 88.

[280] Victor Mercante, "Fetiquismo y Uranismo feminino en los internados

educativos," _Archivos de Psiquiatria y Criminologia_, 1905, pp. 22-30;

abstracted by D.C. McMurtrie, _Urologic Review_, August, 1914.

INDEX OF AUTHORS.

Abraham

Adler, A.

Adler Bey

Alain de Lille

Aletrino

Ammon

Angell, J.R.

Anselm

Arber

Ariosto

Aristophanes

Aristotle

Aschoff

Aubrey

Bacchaumont

Bailly-Maitre

Ballantyne

Balzac

Bartels, Max

Bascoul

Baumann

Bazalgette

Beardmore

Bell, Clark

Bell, Blair

Benkert

Benson, A. C

Berkman

Berrichon

Bertz

Besenval

Bethe

Biervliet

Binet

Binet-Valmer

Birnbaum

Bleuler

Bloch, Iwan

Blyth, J.

Body

Bombarda

Bond, C.J.

Borel

Bouchard

Brandt, P.

Brehm

Brill

Brown, H.

Brouardel

Brun, C.

Buchanan

Bucke

Buffon

Burchard

Burckhardt

Burton, Sir R.

Calesia

Campanella

Carlier

Carpenter, Edward

Carretto

Casanova

Casper

Castle

Cazanova

Charcot

Chevalier

Claiborne

Clarke, A.W.

Clayton

Coelius Aurelianus

Coleridge

Coriat

Corre

Croiset, A.

Crusius

Cust, R.H.H.

Dante

Darwin

Daville

Davitt, M.

Davray

Dejob

Descaves

Dessoir

D'Ewes

Diaz, B.

Diderot

Dostoieffsky

Dubois

Duflos

Dukes, O.

Dupré

Duviquet

Edmonds, J.M.

Eekhoud

Ellis, Havelock

Engelmann

Escoube

Essebac

Eulenburg

Ewart, C.T.

Féré

Ferenczi

Fernan

Ferrero

Flatau

Fliess

Flournoy

Flynt, Josiah

Foley

Forel

Frazer, Sir J.G.

Freimark

Freud

Frey, L.

Fuchs, A.

Galton

Gandavo

Garrod, A.B.

Gasparini

Gaudenzi

Gautier, A.

Gautier, T.

Gide

Gilford, H.

Gillen

Gleichen-Russwurm

Gley

Godard

Goldschwend

Gomperz

Gurlitt

Haddon, A.C.

Haeckel

Hahn

Halban

Hammer

Hamon

Hardman

Harris-Liston

Hart, Berry

Heape

Hegar

Heim

Herman

Herondas

Hirschfeld

Hoche

Hochstetter, S.

Holder

Holmberg

Holmes, W.G.

Homer

Home, H.

Horneffer

Hössli

Hughes, C.H.

Ingegnieros

Jacobs

James, W.

Jastrow

Jekels

John of Salisbury

Johnston, J.

Jones, Ernest

Jones, W.

Juliusburger

Justi

Karsch

Kiefer

Kiernan

Klaatsch

Knapp

Kocher

Konradin

Krafft-Ebing

Krauss, F.S.

Kupffer, E. von

Kurella

Laborde

Lacassagne

Lancaster, E.G.

Langsdorff

Lapointe

Lasnet

Laupts, _see_ Saint-Paul, G.

Laurent

Laycock

Lefroy, E.C.

Legludic

Lepelletier

Leppmann

L'Estoile, P. de

Letamendi

Levetzow

Lévi

Libert

Licht

Lisiansky

Lombroso

Lorion

Löwenfeld

Lowie

Lydston

Macdonald, A.

Magnan

Maitland

Mantegazza

Marchesini

Marie de France

Marro

Marshall, F.H.R.

Martineau

Martius

Mason

Matignon

Mayne, Xavier

McMurtrie

Meige

Meissner, B.

Mercante

Merzbach

Meynert

Middleton

Möbius

Moerenhout

Moffat, D.

Moll

Monk of Evesham

Montaigne

Morache

Moreau

Morel

Moskowski

Moyer

Muccioli

Müller, F.C.

Mure, W.

Näcke

Neugebauer

Niceforo

Nicholson, J.G.

Nicklin

Norman, Conolly

Nortal

Obici