SOURCE: “Rape?/Seduction?: Novellas 14, 16 and 18,” in Rape and Writing in the Heptaméron of Marguerite de Navarre, Southern Illinois University Press, 1991, pp. 117-28.

In the essay that follows, Cholakian examines the complexity of establishing female desire in three of Marguerite's stories that turn on a rape or a seduction.

Seduce, v.t. 1. to lead astray, as from duty, rectitude, or the like; corrupt. 2. to persuade or induce to have sexual intercourse. 3. to lead or draw away, as from principles, faith, or allegiance: He was seduced by the prospect of gain. 4. to win over; attract; entice: a supermarket seducing customers with special sales [emphasis mine].

Rape, n. 1. the act of seizing and carrying off by force. 2. the act of physically forcing a woman to have sexual intercourse.

—Random House Dictionary

Sexual intercourse occurs in both rape and seduction, but whereas the seduced victim must be persuaded or enticed to...