The lightning rod for unexpressed desires
This is how Monsieur Mauclair analysed men’s attitude toward prostitutes:
“Neither the love of a passionate but well-brought-up mistress, nor his marriage to a woman whom he respects, can replace the prostitute for the human animal in those perverse moments when he covets the pleasure of debasing himself without affecting his social prestige.
Nothing can replace this bizarre and powerful pleasure of being able to say everything, do everything, profane and parody without any fear of retribution or remorse. It is a complete revolt against organised society, his organised, educated self and especially his religion. The prostitute represents the unconscious which enables us to put aside our responsibilities”
📖 Nina Epton, Love and the French
