Essay Questions

Explain the connection between the subject of the novel and the birth of the word masochist.

The world masochist became known world-wide after the publishing of the novel. In fact, the word masochist is even derived from the author's name. Venus in Furs is named as being among the first writings to ever discuss the possibility that a man may want to be dominated by a female. Leopold von Sacher inserts himself in the novel as the narrator thus admitting that he is among those who want to be subdued. Soon after the publishing of the novel, psychology began to look deeper into these types of urged and classified this sexual tendency as masochism.

Why did the main characters travel to Italy?

The action of the story begins in one of the central countries in Europe, either Germany or Austria. When the novel was published and written, namely in the 17th century, central Europe was extremely religious and put a great accent on the traditional roles a woman and a man should have. These societies were extremely strict and engaging publicly in the type of behavior described here would most likely make the person in question an outcast. Florence on the other hand, or rather Italy, was much more permissive. Even though the country was religious, the atmosphere was a lot more relaxed and sexual promiscuity and even homosexual behaviors were not as frowned upon. Thus, these may be some of the reasons why the characters decided to move to Italy.

Who was based on Wanda's character?

It is believed that Wanda was based on a real-life woman named Fanny Pistor who was involved with the narrator in a long-term relationship when the novel was written. Fanny was an emerging writer and just like Severin and Wanda in the novel, the author and Fanny entered a mutual agreement in which Fanny would act as a master to the author and Leopold would behave like a servant. The relationship between the two did not last for a long period after the two returned back to Austria and Leopold eventually returned back to his wife.