Deignan has been a teaching assistant in American Cultural Studies at Bowling Green State University. In the following essay, he argues that sexual conflict is the primary theme of "A Spinster's Tale."

Critics tend to focus on the sexual themes in Peter Taylor's "A Spinster's Tale," especially as it relates to the budding femininity of young Elizabeth. This discussion seems pertinent when the reader learns that Elizabeth grew up without a mother, has a difficult time with men, and never marries.

It is clear that Elizabeth loves her father and brother, but at the same time she seems to fear certain aspects of their personalities; specifically, she is concerned with similarities between her father and brother and the repugnant Mr. Speed. "As their voices grew louder and merrier, my courage slackened," Elizabeth recalls. "It was then I first put into words the thought that in my brother...