MovieChat Forums > The Beguiled (1971) Discussion > Martha in love with Edwina?

Martha in love with Edwina?

posted 14 years ago by SampanMassacre
7 replies | jump to latest

I know Martha and her brother had a few romps, but Martha seemed to also be in love with Edwina. The fantasy girl-on-girl threesome sequence at first seems it could be a male (clint's) fantasy, but turns out to be Martha's: she's dreaming of being kissed by, and kissing, Edwina. Also, in the end, the intensity to save Edwina: from death, and from going off with a man. Edwina was, before Clint "opened her up," per say, a virgin who despised men. I'm sure this worked well for Martha. Then Edwina fell for a man: and Martha ended that quickly.

I realize that Martha's reason for killing Clint was attributed to Clint not having sex with Martha, but... I think this is something to consider: That Martha loved Edwina.

[–] klules664 14 years ago

I wondered the same thing. Although they didn't push that out as part of the storyline it would've made for an interesting twist if Martha killed Clint to keep Edwina from leaving her

"Oh Blanche? You know we got rats in the cellar"

[–] intofilm 13 years ago

You could see in the early scene where Martha hugs Edwina that there is an attraction there on Martha's part.

[–] DarthBill 13 years ago

It's entirely possible that they had a little 'Brokeback Mountain' thing going on.

[–] mazeppa1968 13 years ago

I think you're absolutely right. I think she wanted Clint (for man co/ck, obviously) AND Edwina, but Edwina was her true 'love', and woe betide anything that threatened to take that away. I bet it was a common thing in those days too, and it's a common thing still in any one-to-one teacher student situations (as this virtually was = small school). As a male piano teacher of various aged girls I know this feeling only too well! Also, I'd bet my house that a lot of my crusty, ostensibly upstanding lady colleagues feel the same way about their pupils!

[–] lobotomyboy63 13 years ago

Of course, she could simply be bisexual. Or it could be the "prison scenario." A lot of men were off at war so if you're limited to the same gender yet you still have sexual urges...?

Brother, female student, union soldier. I hadn't thought about it but maybe the unifying thread here is that they're all "forbidden." Some people are excited by the danger of being caught or the thrill of being bad/naughty/whatever. All three may represent a turn-on for her. Add in the notion that people monitored women closely to make sure they were "pure" or whatever, and a liaison with a female under her own roof, sure, could go completely undetected. Enemy soldier---if caught, she could claim rape and Southerners, who already hated Yankees, would believe it.

I like it from the appearance vs. reality point of view. Here he is, a Union soldier. You could imagine he's fighting to free slaves or keep the union together or for other noble causes. But ah, he isn't a saint by a long shot. And here she is, to the casual observer a prim and proper Southern school mistress. Behind the veneer though? Forget the charm, elegance, and etiquette she teaches the girls...she sure brings on the vengeance.

[–] 13 years ago

[deleted]

[–] toycoon-too 11 years ago

I think Martha's dream fantasy with McB and Edwina confirms that she had an attraction to Edwina. This movie was so good!

"The most important thing is being sincere, even if you have to fake it." - Cesar Romero