Times Square Blue - Samuel Delaney

Story Summary:

Times Square Blue by Samuel Delaney uses personal anecdotes to argue that the former existence of sexually liberating establishments in New York fostered healthy social relationships, and that their disappearance further encourages class separation.

Reflections:

In Times Square Blue, physical appearances are strongly linked to one’s position of power within society. While this statement may seem somewhat self-evident, the relationship between power and beauty is a complex one; it relies upon both how others view a person’s beauty as well as how a person views their own beauty. On the other hand, while possessing physical beauty often puts a person in a position of power, it can also objectify them, as they are viewed as a sexual object rather than a human being.

It is obvious in Times Square Blue that Delaney was not choosy when he selected sexual partners, suggesting that physical attractiveness is not a power factor for a person. However, there is a clear relationship between beauty and power evident throughout his anecdotes. Delaney tells an anecdote about Kevin, a man who was “an exemplar of male beauty that still, in memory, remains powerful for me” (41). Later, Kevin becomes homeless and is seen digging through garbage cans, at which point, “The power was gone… Why this one should be sadder than the other, I’m not sure” (42). The reason Delaney “was not sure about” can be pointed back to the man’s physical beauty and it’s loss; Kevin lost his beauty, and therefore lost his power. It’s no mystery that beauty gives a person power; for example, Arly “was attractive enough—and big enough—that he could afford to be choosy.” (51). Possessing beauty is an asset that can afford a person several benefits the less attractive lack, and yet it also has a downside.

One of the anecdotes early on describes an extraordinarily attractive young man at a pornographic movie theatre. Many men approached him to offer sex, to which he politely turned them away. Here we see power; the man has his choice of partners, but refuses. This is not a new concept. And yet, while the boy is given power, he is also somewhat stripped of it; people in the bathroom made comments such as, “‘That straight kid over there—beating off? He’s gorgeous. Why isn’t anybody doing him?’” (21). These comments objectify the boy; because he is beautiful, he is assumed to be sexually available. This idea is also evident with Arly and his “wife”; Arly says, “She don’t speak no English, but she loves to take care of me… almost as good as you used to. Isn’t she beautiful man?... Isn’t she the most beautiful woman in the world?” (55). Although Arly’s unnamed wife is also described by Delaney as beautiful, Arly believes her to be the “most” beautiful, due to the fact that she caters to his every need and desire. It could be assumed that the girl’s intense beauty would put her in a position of power, and yet she is painted as more of an object than an authoritative and strong woman.

Furthermore, a person who is unaware of their beauty cannot exercise their full amount of power. Hoke tries to hide his hands, “‘Cause they’re so big and ugly,” but Delaney tells him, “I think you have the most beautiful hands I’ve ever seen” (100). While Delaney places Hoke in a position of power, evident by his intimidation of him and fear of rejection, Hoke is oblivious to the power his beauty gives him, and therefore does not capitalize on it. Hoke believes himself to be unattractive, which would strip him of power instead of providing it. This is seen in the anecdote about Ana, who says, “‘Well… I was scared to death!” … “The people weren’t as pretty as I thought’” (30). Similarly to how people with beauty also possess (a form of) power, people who lack beauty not only lack this power, but are seen as frightening, which strips their power down even further. Hoke was an interesting case, because he believed himself to be unattractive, therefore lacking power, but he was perceived as attractive, therefore giving him power.

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