sexual-conservatism
The chapter highlights the protagonists' atypical attitudes toward sex, with Harriet as a virgin and David disillusioned by past relationships, marking them as outsiders in the 1960s sexual revolution.
1 chapter across 1 book
The Sirian Experiments (1980)Doris Lessing
In Chapter 1 of "The Sirian Experiments," Harriet and David, two conservative and emotionally fastidious individuals, meet at an office party and quickly recognize a kindred spirit in each other. Despite their contrasting backgrounds—Harriet's stable family life and David's divorced parents—they share a mutual desire for a traditional, stable future, including marriage, a home, and many children. Their connection is rooted in their unconventional attitudes toward sex and relationships, setting them apart from their peers in the 1960s social milieu.