There is a scene in the novel Maurice by E.M. Forster in which Durham complains that their professor demanded that they “omit the unspeakable vice of the Greeks” while reading aloud from Plato. Durham and Maurice are outside, and Durham insists openly and without shame that the “unspeakable vice” was an essential element of Athenian society. Maurice is hardly a scholar and doesn’t know much about the ancient Athenians, but he understands enough to know what his friend is getting at, and inwardly he is thrilled by Durham’s boldness.
“…no more was said at the time, but he was free of another subject, and one that he had never mentioned to any living soul. He hadn’t known it could be mentioned, and when Durham did so in the middle of the sunlit court a breath of liberty touched him.”
“A breath of liberty touched him.” That line struck me. I can remember so well finding another gay boy to talk to openly and freely after keeping silent for years.
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