Forever...

The birth control pill, or “The Pill,” is a powerful symbol in the text representing Katherine’s evolving sexual identity, empowerment, and responsibility. Blume is frank in her explanations of why she wrote Forever…, explaining that she wanted to write a story in which the young adult characters could engage in healthy and responsible sex. As the protagonist who begins the text having never had sex before, Katherine feels a strong desire to have sex but wants to be emotionally and physically prepared. When she goes to Planned Parenthood to obtain birth control, she tells her social worker: “I think it’s my responsibility to make sure I don’t get pregnant” (125). This reasoning illustrates that Katherine understands how important sexual health is, and that it is her responsibility to prevent pregnancy.

As much as The Pill is a symbol of sexual responsibility, it is also a symbol of sexual freedom and exploration. Once on birth control, Katherine and Michael’s sexual relationship evolves and becomes more pleasurable for Katherine. When they first begin having sex, Michael often orgasms quickly, leaving Katherine wondering “if it would ever work out right between us” (140). But the more they practice, using safe sex practices, the more at ease they both feel, and Katherine achieves sexual pleasure from sex: “I moved with him, again and again and again—and at last, I came.