Sex Without Love by Sharon Old

Sharon Olds’ poem “Sex Without Love” wonders at the ability for two people to have sex and not involve emotions or pretenses of love. The poem argues that it is better to have sex without love under the premise that love is a false savior for people, and everyone is all alone anyhow. In other words, the claim is that personal interactions do not serve a purpose other than being a distraction, and they will inevitably end. However, the notion that attachment and love are false hopes for people and each person is all alone does not account for the inevitability of human interactions and the underlying importance of relationships. While the poem does not give its definition of being alone, complete isolation is virtually impossible and leads to immoral attitudes, and this detracts from the argument’s validity.

“Sex Without Love” claims that having solely physical sexual interactions is purer and better than making love with affection. Olds admiringly describes two people who have unattached sex in praise of their act. The poem states they are “beautiful as dancers / gliding over each other like ice-skaters” (lines 2-3). Her comparison draws attention to the elegance of the people’s act, as if they are performing stunning choreography. The poem also defines the unattached lovers as being religiously correct. The poem claims they are the “true religious, / the purists, the pros” (13-14). The poem deems the pair as superior to the people who engage in relationships or involve love in their intimate interactions. Her use of the word “purist” classifies them as not allowing the act of sex to be contaminated, because they focus on the pleasure instead of being attentive to people or emotional bonds. People who have sex for pleasure are a...

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...“just factors” in attaining pleasure (21). However, if the entire population acts in such a way, there would only be a focus on personal satisfaction and no concern for fellow mankind. Treating people as if they are commodities and physical objects of which one can dispose would breed a sense of entitlement and selfishness. To care and help others would be an obsolete value. The argument of the poem advocates for an immoral behavior of other individuals that would create harsh treatment to others.

While many people can spend too much time focused on others and not their own needs, “Sex Without Love” by Sharon Olds fails in its attempt to rectify such behavior. The poem’s claim that pleasure should be one’s sole focus and that each person is ultimately alone in the world do not answer all of ____________.

Works Cited

Olds, Sharon. “Sex Without Love.” Lines 1-24.