A Positive Romance

A thoughtful evening in turn-of‑the‑century New York becomes a platform for lively debate when two friends return from the opera. Their conversation drifts from the public adulation of a celebrated soprano to a deeper inquiry about why men tend to idolize women while women’s affection remains more grounded. The dialogue weaves philosophy, gender dynamics, and the lingering influence of artistic reverence, inviting listeners to ponder whether such worship stems from innate instinct or from broader cultural forces.

The discussion takes an unexpected turn when one friend reveals a long‑kept secret: a brief, intense conversion to the Positivist “Religion of Humanity” during his college years. He hints at a pivotal encounter with a charismatic French professor, a moment that left a lasting, enigmatic imprint on his life. As the conversation unfolds, the listener is drawn into an intimate intellectual exchange that balances humor, curiosity, and the subtle complexities of belief and desire.