The Genie declared that in his time and place there were scientists of the passions who maintained that language itself, on the one hand, originated in 'infantile pregenital erotic exuberance, polymorphously perverse,' and that conscious attention, on the other, was a 'libidinal hypercathexis' -- by which magic phrases they seemed to mean that writing and reading, or telling and listening, were literally ways of making love.
In John Barth's book "Chimera," the character of the Genie discusses a controversial theory proposed by certain scientists regarding the origins of language. These theorists suggest that language is deeply rooted in the primal and playful sexual energies associated with childhood, describing it as an emotionally charged and intimate exchange. This perspective implies that communication, whether through writing or speaking, can be viewed as a form of erotic expression.
The Genie's commentary points to the intertwining of language and human desires, indicating that the act of engaging with words carries a significant emotional and possibly sexual weight. By framing reading and storytelling as acts of love-making, the Genie provokes thought on how deeply interconnected our modes of expression and emotional lives are, shedding light on the profound impact of language in shaping human relationships and experiences.
