Part 2 , Chapter 1, The Incitement to Discourse Summary and Analysis

The language of sex and sexuality was codified and restricted from the 17th century onwards; simultaneously the discourse about sexuality constantly increased. For example, confessional manuals regarding sex became continually more linguistically vague, even as the sphere of perceived sexual sin increased in scope dramatically. Instead of only the sex act being sinful, even thinking of the sex act or just dwelling on sensual things gradually became sinful.

During the 18th century, the sexual discourse was fairly monolithic and presented generally in terms of sin; from the 18th century onward, however, sexual discourse gradually transforms into many discourses. This process resulted in the creation and popular consumption of so-called scandal books; fiction or even non-fictional accounts of illicit behaviors and tell-all disclosures. Respectable society refuted scandalous inference but still engaged in...