In Cloud 9, it's tough to separate questions of gender and power from questions of sexuality and sexual identity. The character Lin, for example, tries to defy gender expectations by raising a child on her own. But she also defies sexual expectations by wanting to sleep with Victoria. Of course, it's better if we didn't have these expectations at all, as they tend to do more harm than good in the long run (i.e. intolerance). But don't take our word for it; take Macklemore's.
Questions About Sexuality & Sexual Identity
- Apart from her sexual preferences, what kind of person is Lin? For example, what's her parenting style, and how does she interact with other people? How might these tendencies be read as connected to her sexual preferences?
- What in Lin's history makes her dislike men? Use specific examples from the text to support your answer.
- What is Clive's solution to finding out about Harry Bagley's true sexual preferences? Do you think the play supports this solution? Why or why not?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
In Cloud 9, Caryl Churchill suggests that people's sexual preferences are determined by their personal experience. In other words, they aren't born that way.
Cloud 9 supports Lady Gaga's thesis: people are born with an individual sexual preference.