Lesbianism

Gertrude Stein comments on lesbian sexuality in "Tender Buttons: Objects, Food, Rooms" through highly condensed layers of public and private meanings. She uses wordplay, especially puns such as box, cow and tender buttons. The colors red and pink may also allude to female genitalia. In "Glazed Glitter," Stein alludes to change and polishing. Change is also mentioned in "A Substance In A Cushion," as is the presence of as many girls as men. Stein states that there is no pleasure in not getting tired of the violent kind of delight, a possible allusion to heterosexual sex; another such allusion may be groan grinding. "A Box" is obviously a pun and also includes references to kindness, redness and cattle. The second "A Box" alludes to outward recognitions, used and taken, and an indication of a wedding journey. "A Chair" mentions a suitable establishment, likely an establishment with a heterosexual...