Chapter 12 Summary and Analysis

This chapter begins with a story about Molly's urge to be humiliated and her reactions to such humiliation by her master. In the story, Philip requests that she service another individual sexually in front of a group of people. Molly is surprised to find this, while exciting, humiliates and embarrasses her. Philip is aware of this humiliation and uses it to further push Molly into submission. Such acts are called 'edge play,' and are designed to push one to or over their edge. The authors note that such play can sometimes go terribly wrong and can lead to negative feelings.

The authors also discuss the resolution of internal conflicts through SM behaviors. According to them, internal feelings of guilt, helplessness and anxiety can be resolved by exploiting these feelings through sexual humiliation. Such efforts, according to authors, should be undertaken...