Maurice- Greeks as a key word

Something that was brought up in class was how the word gay did not exist, how Forster had to use other words to describe it. Not only did Forster have to do this while writing, but because of the situation and time period the characters needed a way to express this without letting people know what they were talking about. Forster uses the Greeks and the Symposium as references to how Maurice and Durham feel about each other. In class we discussed the first time this comes up, I wanted to further discuss and point out where this continues through the book. Before Maurice was two naive to know what Durham was referring two and what stood behind these two things when they were brought up. When he was asked if he has read the Symposium he said he had not. Later in the book after they had grown closer and realized and begin to express their feelings for each other. Durham states “‘I knew you read the Symposium in the vac’” (Forster 58) before stating he loved him. This was Durham’s way of expressing that he now knows that Maurice is homosexual as well.

Maurice, who is still naïve, does not understand. He was never told about this kind of a relationship or love. He was told in his youth that a heterosexual way of life is the right and only way. When Durham finally expresses his love towards Maurice he does not know how to feel or react, pushing Durham away. The idea of the Greeks being used as a way to describe being homosexual is later used when Maurice realizes his love for Durham and goes to talk to him. When Durham does not understand why he came he states “I mean the Symposium, like the ancient Greeks” (Forster 64). Maurice uses this to explain he understands now. He then tells Durham that he came to tell him that he is like the Greeks, that he is homosexual, that he always has been, he just did not know. The ancient Greeks and the Symposium became like a code word to explain homosexuality and the feelings between the two men.

I found this very interesting not only because of how Forster uses this as a code word for something that is not discussed but also how it relates to the Halperin article. Halperin also uses the ancient Greeks as an example of how homosexuality was accepted.