In fantasy (THE LIBRARY message #1757)

In fantasy

REPLIES - POST REPLY - THE LIBRARY - FAQ - HOME - Q

Posted by Erin on October 14, 1997 at 18:52:48:

In response to This all bothers me a lot, too, Kate, written by Amy on October 14, 1997 at 16:28:40

Kate: What is it about that hint of suppressed violence which women sometimes find fascinating? Is it ok to like this in fictional characters knowing that in real life such characters may be the ones who beat up their wives?

Amy: I do Rochester, but I don't like liking him. I'm gonna have to think about this some more. Some women have rape fantasies, too. It's a subject almost too dark to think of.

On some level cruelty possesses sexual appeal. But the idea of this cruelty is acceptable only when it is not a part of our real world. I think we can entertain the idea of being with such men (ie., find them attractive) only because it is not our day-to-day reality. It's not a realistic option most women would choose; for I contend that this tendency toward cruelty is manifested in concrete existence as emotional and physical abuse. It would seem that a Sadist (or a variation thereof) would be the only type of woman who would consciously choose a cruel mate.

...except where the man has been altered otherwise, as in the case of Rochester. His power is extenuated, thereby making the grounds of his 'cruel' (distant) nature unsecure, or obsolete.

I think Rita was on to something when she asked how we would react to Darcy (on P&P2), --think about how one would interact/treat Rochester? When I'm faced with such a question in this case, I find that my interest diminishes.

Erin

REPLIES:

Bronte men! Rita 13:07:21 10/15/97 (0)
Good way to look at it Amy 21:42:59 10/14/97 (20)
- Amy, we want some more! Rita 13:15:44 10/15/97 (0)
- amy.... Kate 22:36:50 10/14/97 (18)
  - No, silly... Amy 06:21:31 10/15/97 (17)
    - Dear Marianne... Helen 12:41:48 10/15/97 (13)
      - More Amy 22:03:41 10/16/97 (3)
        
        More serene Helen 11:00:09 10/18/97 (2)
        
        Serene dilema Hil 06:03:26 10/19/97 (1)
        
        Very sensible... Helen 13:37:36 10/21/97 (0)
      - Beautiful -- and helpful Amy 14:58:38 10/15/97 (0)
      - well said but there's more Sherry 14:05:57 10/15/97 (7)
        
        Ethos of suffering Erin 21:17:32 10/15/97 (6)
        
        re: mild objection Sherry 11:27:33 10/16/97 (5)
        
        Spillage Erin 20:40:03 10/16/97 (1)
        
        It's a good thing! (nfm) Martha Stewart :-) 07:08:59 10/17/97 (0)
        
        Suffering Cassia 13:59:52 10/16/97 (2)
        
        re: I'm suffering Sherry 15:10:40 10/16/97 (1)
        
        No but... Cassia 14:18:10 10/18/97 (0)
    - It's hard not to though Erin 12:39:09 10/15/97 (0)
    - a little poem Sherry 09:08:04 10/15/97 (1)
      - Yes Amy 12:19:50 10/15/97 (0)

Posting followups to old messages is disabled; instead go to the main index and post a new message which mentions this one.