Essay Questions

What does Maurice's visit to Mr Lasker Jones tell us about the way in which homosexuality was viewed at the beginning of the twentieth century?

The fact that Lasker Jones claims to be able to "cure" homosexuality tells us that it was viewed as something wrong or aberrant, a disease much like tuberculosis or polio, or a mental illness such as schizophrenia or depression, and it needed a cure. There was no concept at all of sexuality being part of a person's identity. Sexual identity was seen as something incredibly simple; if you were a woman, you wanted to be with a man. If you were a man you wanted to be with a woman. Sexuaity was governed by social convention. Homosexuality was seen as an aberration that required medical attention or hypnosis. It was also punishable by imprisonment.

Why did Maurice give up his social status and his career to be with Alec?

Maurice was deeply in love with Alec, but was also aware that committing to a relationship with him could only be done under the radar. He could not have a public life at all and still be involved with Alec. He could not work as a stockbroker because the pressure on him to be married would be too great. He could not have too much to do with his family because his sister would be incredibly disapproving, and also most likely "out" them. However, working as a woodcutter was something that nobody would notice; they were manual laborers, and as such would not move in the social circles that demanded Maurice attend functions with a wife in tow. He would also be able to avoid Clive, something that was extremely important if he was to be able to continue living a homosexual life in safety