From the beginning of Stephen’s life there was something different about her. She resembled her father Sir Phillip almost uncannily, which made her mother uneasy. She played rough with her father, riding on his back as if he were a bucking bronco. In Hall’s description of Stephen’s early adolescence, she is supporting a view point that a lesbian is born intrinsically gay. In the ongoing debate of nature or nurture it seems that Hall believes that it

Like many other lesbians in the novel, Stephen feels uncomfortable and out of place when adorned with feminine clothing or styles. She feels imprisoned when she wears the dresses that her mother Anna buys for her. An important point that is made for the first third of the novel is the contempt that is felt by Stephen for her long feminine hair. She doesn’t feel that it fits her face and it is a constant burden to her. At ten years of age, when Stephen first picks up fencing, is the first debate over her hair. One afternoon she pleaded with her father: “But it mightn’t if I cut off my hair! May I cut off my hair? Oh, do let me, Father!” (Well of Loneliness p. 57) Her father, who supports her most of the time, denies Stephen this request. As she grew older she would try, when she was in complete solitude, to dress her hair as her mothers. She would undo the usual plait tied at the nape of her neck and wear it in a loose gathering. But upon inspection she would detest her appearance and replait her auburn hair. At the age of twenty she finally was free of this burden. “In a mood of defiance she had suddenly walked off to the barber’s one morning and made him crop it close like a man’s... released from the torment imposed upon it the thick auburn hair could breathe and wave freely.” (Well of Loneliness p. 210) This was a huge liberation to her as it is to many lesbians. They are no longer boxed into a feminine role that is alluded to by long hair.

The Well of Loneliness is a beautiful story of the relationships, the struggles and the inner search for understanding by Stephen. The lesbian shero provides an example of one type of lesbian and the many dynamics that make up that personality. From the physical appearance that is closer to manly than feminine. The strenuous physical activities, the love for learning and the horrible reality of being an outcast all unravel as Stephen grows into her true self. The wonderful yet tragic desire to protect her lovers that ultimately leads to the greatest loss perceivable is interwoven throughout the novel. Stephen is Radclyffe Hall’s explanation of what a lesbian is and what a lesbian endures. And Hall invites all readers to explore this misunderstood personality with warmth that makes everyone fall in love with Stephen, the strong and lovable invert.

An important part of lesbianism that is portrayed in the novel by Hall is the strong magnetism felt by Stephen to have more manly mannerisms. From the start, she is uncomfortable acting weak or passive, especially in physical activities. At the age of 8 her father gives Stephen her first horse as a gift; she refuses to ride sidesaddle. She picks up riding astride with little difficulty. A couple years after picking up riding she decides it is also important to her to be in excellent physical conditions. She lifted weights constantly and learned fencing. Like riding horses, she picked up fencing very rapidly. Mademoiselle Duphot, her tutor watched her fence and remarked “She fence like a man, with such power and such grace.” (Well of Loneliness p.58) That was not the last time that she was regarded by others as manly in appearance or action. Another important lesbian trait that St

Some topics in this essay:
Father” Loneliness, Sir Phillip, Instead Stephen, Angela Ralph, Angela Crosby, Ultimately Stephen’s, Morton Puddle, Lady Massey, Leslie Feinberg, Morton Stephen, desire protect, protect lovers, angela crosby, puddle encourages stephen, puddle encourages, protect mary, father stephen, cut hair, physical activities, father” loneliness, desire protect lovers, novel stephen,