Like a lot of teenagers going through puberty, Sym finds sex to be a source of much angst—not because she wants to have it, but because she doesn't. Or at least that's how she feels at the beginning of The White Darkness. Over the course of the book, she seems to warm to the idea. She shares her first kiss with Sigurd, and even considers having sex with him. In the end she doesn't go through with it, which is probably for the best; her imaginary boyfriend Titus would probably have been jealous, plus Sigurd is totally pulling a fast one on her.
Questions About Sex and Sexuality
- Why does Sym think Titus is the ultimate boyfriend?
- Why do you think Maxine teases Sym about her sexuality (or lack thereof)?
- Do you think Sigurd ever really cares for Sym? Or does he just put the moves on Sym as a means to an end? How can you tell?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Sym thinks Titus is the ultimate boyfriend because he's unattainable.
In The White Darkness, sex (or the idea of sex) is wielded as a weapon.