Chime Theme of Lust

Chime is a story about a preacher's daughter, and if that doesn't spell lust for you, then you clearly haven't seen Preachers' Daughters. Briony claims not to be interested in boys or um, that thing people do to have babies, but she is undeniably drawn toward Eldric, and often flirts with him when he's near. She thinks about what Eldric's done with other girls, and she ventures out on a night intended for teenagers to explore their lust under the moonlight, and as she does, Briony soon discovers that lust can be both compelling and dangerous.

Questions About Lust

  1. How does lust have something to do with the Dark Muse's preference for male hosts?
  2. Is Briony's doubt of Cecil's true feelings for her fair or misguided?
  3. How might Reverend Larkin and Mr. Clayborne's reactions to Eldric and Briony sneaking out have been different if mothers had been a part of the conversation?
  4. When Eldric feels emasculated by the way Briony looks at him without a hand, his reaction comes off as lustful. Are lust and masculinity related?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

The men in Chime represent lust as a violent aspect of manhood.

Though lust can lead to dangerous consequences for men as well as women, the fathers in Chime appear to be mostly concerned with protecting women from lust, not men.