Modernist Perspectives on Sexuality and Desire
E.M. Forster’s “The Other Boat”
“The Other Boat” speaks of a childhood crush tainted by societal pressures and expectations. Cocoanut loved Lionel since childhood, but was undoubtedly had to hide his feelings. During this time period, love between two of the same gender was something to hide, something to feel disgusted about. Racism also runs rampant in this story of mutualism behind closed doors.
As the boat leaves England and enters the Mediterranean, Lionel gives into the unknown. He allows himself to love Cocoanut sexually, but only in private.
The symbolism of doors is not lost in this story. At one point, Lionel realizes the door to the cabin was not locked while he and Cocoanut engaged in sexual activity. Passion amongst men had to be kept under wraps and behind closed doors. One wouldn’t dare show passion for another in those times. What occurred between Lionel and Cocoanut wouldn’t have been seen as love, but a disgusting act.
The thought of losing all that society has built him up to be destroys him. Without his status or fiancée, he is nothing. During this time period, a man was nothing without society instead of society being nothing without the man. Now individual beliefs are cherished, not always, but mostly. Back then, individual beliefs were things to fear and shun away from.
Lionel plunges himself in the ocean after murdering his lover in one final act of passion. That’s where the irony/lack of awareness comes in. Lionel didn’t want to lose his status and everything that he had built for himself over his lifetime, and yet he ruined it anyway. He ruined it by killing Cocoanut and killing himself. Who knows what kind of life he could have had if only he had stayed with Cocoanut at sea. I suppose he could have gone back to his life as he knew it, with a fiancée. However, I believe that going back to that life would have been disingenuous. One must live freely, without fear no matter the consequences. Lionel shouldn’t have had to commit such atrocious acts. Society shouldn’t dictate passion or love. Individuals should choose their own path without worry due to societal norms. Without the pressures of society, who knows what Lionel and Cocoanut could have accomplished.
In the end, Lionel’s own mother wanted nothing to do with, never to speak his name again. This proves how far societal disgrace goes. Mother’s are willing to mentally kill their sons for committing any indiscretion.
For a dual meaning of this story, Cocoanut was trying to get revenge on Lionel. Is Cocoanut jealous of Lionel’s skin color? His status? His upbringing? Is Cocoanut Lionel’s brother? Is he simply a lover? We will never know but Cocoanut knew the door was unlocked and proceeded on anyway. Was he trying to get them caught? Did he want Lionel to be disgraced? Was Cocoanut disgraced and now he wants Lionel to join in on the misery? Nothing can be certain, one can only speculate.
Work Cited:
Cuda, Anthony. The Passions of Modernism, http://www.sc.edu/uscpress/books/2009/3862.html.
Djinni. “E. M. Forster’s ‘The Other Boat’ (Deadline: 5/8).” E. M. Forster’s “The Other Boat” (Deadline: 5/8), 1 Jan. 1970, literarycollage.blogspot.com/2013/04/e-m-forsters-other-boat-deadline-58.html.
Kafalenos , Emma. Theme and Myth in E. M. Forster’s The Life to Come.
Kahan, Benjamin. “What Is Sexual Modernity?” What Is Sexual Modernity? | Modernism / Modernity Print+, modernismmodernity.org/forums/what-sexual-modernity.
Pitchdarklightheart. “The Other Plot on ‘The Other Boat.’” psubritlit2, 9 May 2018, psubritlit2.wordpress.com/2018/05/09/the-other-plot-on-the-other-boat/.
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