A society dominated by Morality, as defined by the patriarchs who hope to keep the world going according to their writ. This is what The Lesson is about. The blurb describes it as ‘a dystopian satire on the violence that women live with.’
The dominant role is that of the rapist, a rather perverted ‘knight in shining armour’ who descends on recalcitrant women to teach them a lesson. It’s a job without emotion, lust or desire—a mechanical action which has the desired effect, damning the disobedient woman.
Said the rapist: ‘“Look, I was told that you needed to be taught a lesson. Lessons actually. Do you have your Conduct Book in front of you?…”
September 2015, volume 39, No 9