Recently, feminist critics have identified the disguised lesbian erotic imagery in her work; for example, Stein often used the word “cow” to mean “orgasm”. Works such as “As a Wife Has a Cow: A Love Story” obviously become differently meaningful if read with this in mind. |source|
But that's so abstract. Here's an MP3 of former Senator Jesse Helms reading "As a Wife Has a Cow: A Love Story".
Actually, that recording is pretty abstract too.[1]
Addendum: I don't know why I didn't mention it when composing the post, but the feminist interpretation of "having a cow" is not entirely uncontroversial. Publishers Weekly had this to say:
Apparently, Stein's many references to "having a cow" ("As a Wife Has a Cow a Love Story," etc.) have a meaning other than the orgasmic connotations that many Stein scholars have attached to them. Indeed, they are Stein's imprecations for Toklas to have a bowel movement. Those scholars and readers who have focused on the butch/femme identities of this famous lesbian couple may be shocked to discover that Stein's theories of "bottom nature" may boil down to those who are regular and those who are not. |link|
I don't know about you, but I have a preferred reading.
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1 If you happen to be the sort of person who's into provenance (and really, who's not?) then maybe you should follow this link.
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