Discuss The Tale

What struck me most was how the main character seemed like a happy, successful person until her mother found a 30-year-old English paper. Suddenly, she was now the ULTIMATE victim and her life completely turned to shit. I think the most damaging thing about childhood sexual experiences or childhood molestation is not the encounter but the catastrophic reaction OTHER people have when they catch wind of it.

If you live long enough, you will eventually meet the criteria of being "a victim." If you embrace that role, your life will essentially be over. So choose wisely when determining how you want to live the rest of your life.

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Did you miss what Jenny's mother said about her being promiscuous after she quit "the horsey life"? Don't forget that she was physically ill each time, after sex. Is that a "happy life?" Her defense was to write about a "beautiful relationship she had with two "liberated adults." Denial isn't "just a river in Africa," it led to a commitment-free life, with a puzzled longtime lover. This is about facing what happened and doing something about it. #Me Too isn't about victims, it's about unmasking Predators. Some "adults" can't help but cross age/gender lines and "pick cherries" just because they can and disguise their actions behind "beautiful poetry." Color me disgusted with "Humbert Humbert."

There are plenty of people who were never "molested" who grew up to be promiscuous. Yes, people can have negative reactions to early sexual encounters. People can also continue existing without feeling violated. They chalk it up to experience and learn from it. Playing "what if?" does nobody any good. You can't change the past. Sure, if there is an older person going around abusing children, I'm all for stopping it. But reflecting on a relationship from 30 or 40 years ago and getting all worked up over it is totally pointless. Outing an 80-year-old for being horny half a century ago? What good does it do? The movie made it appear as if she was a successful, fully functioning adult with a career and a boyfriend. Her life seemed pretty good... until her mom called.

Are you familiar with the movie, "Music Box"? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_Box_(film) Although this version, "based upon a real story," has been criticized for missing the mark, it does point out that "justice delayed/forgotten is justice denied." The film maker appears to enjoy her life with an active lover, but is indifferent/cold to getting engaged. She is unable to commit/trust to a long term relationship. Life goes on, but it won't progress beyond the physical act until The Past is confronted. "The elephant in the room" is there, even if it has been "chalked up to experience." It's not "what if," it's what happened when "adults" betrayed the trust of minors in their care.

I have no desire to get engaged or have a long term relationship. It has absolutely nothing to do with childhood abuse. I just know that people get sick of each other. I know from experience and through observation. I've always said that if I ever get married, I want to live in separate houses and meet up only a day or two a week.

One thing that is way too common: people love to blame others for their messed up lives. My advice? Stop it. You will never be happy that way.

So you're mad at her mother for being a good mother? Her mother had no way of knowing that her daughter blocked it out. What I find interesting is that the teacher didn't show The Tale to the parents, but that has more to do with the time period.

A good mother? Is this a joke post? She didn't help her daughter when she needed her. "All her antennae went up" and she did NOTHING. So 30 years later she does something... basically ruining her adult daughter's life for absolutely no reason. Thanks, mom! What a ridiculous thing you posted.

Don't pay any attention to @Kewl_Kat, this is the same poster who relentlessly went on and on about how Hannah in "13 Reasons Why" had herself to blame.

EVERY SINGLE HUMAN BEING HAS DEALT WITH SOMETHING ENOUGH TO PLAY VICTIM LATER.THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WETHER YOU WANT TO BE A VICTIM AFTER THE FACT OR IF YOURE EVEN STRONG ENOUGH A CREATURE TO MAKE THAT CHOICE,WHICH SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU TO START WITH.THIS IS A TOUGH LIFE AND WORLD.HUMANS JUST KEEP MAKING THEIR LIVES APPEAR EASIER AND EASIER .SO ELEVATED AND SPECIAL.WE ARE ALL ANIMALS AND ANIMALS SURVIVE OR THEY DIE.THIS ILLUSION OF SUPERIORITY IS WHAT HOLDS US BACK AS A SPECIES NOT WHAT SEPERATES US FROM THE ANIMALS.

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