It is said in more legends than one that none shall leave Rhodes a virgin! This arrogant claim is said to be the doings of the arrogant males who continually roam the hallways of Rhodes University and more so the notorius "Smuts Sluts" of Jan Smuts residence.
Yet there is always the exception to the rule and in this case it is Michael. A first year boy in Smuts hall who assures me that he cannot be persuaded to lose this most sacred gift an as he so eloquently puts it "his innoceonce." Michael comes from a normal middle-class South African family. His ouward appearance resembles the notions many will have of the typical "jock" yet his ways and behaviour suggest everything but simple-mindedness. This is not to say all jocks must be stupid, but generalisations exist for a reason.
This charismatic first year does play rugby, cricket and also plays the Rat on Wednesday nights. So if all the peices to the puzzle are there, why does he not just conform to stereotype and get with as many girls in his first year as possible? According to him, "My choice is bases on no religious notion, just my own personal belief that sex is the most sacred two humans can partake in and at eighteen I do not believe that I am in any way able to fully understand the implications of such a monumentous act" If you think thats profound, Michael is also open and outed virgin. He has no qualms about others knowing his sexual status. "People who reckon I'm a loser, should spend ten minutes with me and then decide"
Every so often we cpme across a rare person to break pre-conceived ideas we all may have and its guys like this who restore faith in women. The female virgin is an over-played concept and in Michales own words, "Men need to realise that phsical sex and emotion is not as divisible as we would like to assume"
Lets hold on a little longer boys?
*names have been changed to protect identities*
Friday, October 3, 2008
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2 comments:
Hi Shaz
The story of Michael certainly ignores all stereotypes associated with the typical Rhodes or Jan Smuts male. Michael is undoubtedly a hero for his strong stance in terms of having sex. I share the same stance on the subject, and you did well not to ridicule his reasons for staying a virgin. The interpretation of a hero by philosopher, Vladimir Propp, which mentions that a hero goes through some struggle before reaching their pinnacle was also expressed in the profile. Michael would have obviously faced some form of ridicule amongst his peers, for staying a virgin, but he dares such people to spend some time with him, then their thoughts of him will as a loser would cease.
The villains in the profile, which are the males of Rhodes, specifically from Jan Smuts House, are really made to seem like bad characters. The declaration by them that “none shall leave Rhodes a virgin” expresses the arrogance associated with villains, and are made to seem negative with them being called “Smuts Sluts” and ridiculing Michael’s stance of staying a virgin.
Overall this is an interesting profile of a respectable student
Cheers
Mpondz
Dig My Rez
On reading Shaz’s profile article on Michael, a heroic virgin of the “infamous” Jan Smuts House, it is easy to see that this very topic has tapped on the emotions of the writer who has been inspired by Michael’s thoughts and views on the issue of sex. Shaz holds this character in a courageous sense for having such strong and valued beliefs. As academic scholar, Todorov, has highlighted, a disruption of some sort occurs in any narrative, and this is exactly what Michael has faced and has overcome as well; the disruption or awkwardness that was to fight off notions of losing his virginity to make him become part of the “cool” crowd. Though Michael has fought through this phase and has reached his stage of peace and harmony, or rather his “equilibrium” as Todorov has put it. This also gives us an insight to Michael’s ever so sincere character. His virginity makes him a hero and a person with fair morals.
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