What does Bodily Fluid represent?

Bodily fluid is symbolic of Elio’s initial shame about his sexual desire and his growing comfort with his own body as the narrative continues. Initially, Elio is ashamed of his bodily fluid, such as when his semen leaves a mark on his shorts or when he gets a nosebleed at the dinner table, because it acts as a public marker of the intensity of his sexual desire for Oliver. After consummating his relationship with Oliver, Elio’s feelings about his body change, as do his responses to the appearance of his bodily fluid. Whereas earlier, he sought to hide the semen stain on his shorts from Oliver, later he openly shows Oliver the peach containing his semen. Whereas he rushes to stem the flow of blood from his nose earlier in the novel, he freely allows himself to vomit with Oliver’s assistance later on.