The many faces of intimacy: the Victorians could experience it through correspondence, but not through cohabitation; contemporary men and women can experience it through fornication, but not through friendship.

Summary

This quote highlights the different perspectives on intimacy in different time periods. During the Victorian era, physical intimacy was restricted, and people relied on written correspondence to create a sense of emotional closeness. In contrast, modern times allow for sexual intimacy without the same emphasis on emotional connection or friendship. The quote suggests that while physical relationships may be readily available today, deep emotional connections and true friendship may be more difficult to find in our contemporary society.

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