Rape and revenge in SF: Difference between revisions
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'''Rape revenge''' is a frequent device that authors give to their female characters. Female characters are often triggered into heroism, vigilantism, or activism by seeking revenge for a rape. (Male characters may be triggered into the same by seeking revenge for the rape of one of their family members or loved ones.) | |||
Rape and Revenge (R&R) represents a theme in SF/F that came to prominence in the 60's/70's when more female protagonists began to appear. The basic theme is that the main character is a victim of rape and goes on to seek revenge on her attackers which provides the catalyst for her emergence as a hero. Often carries thwe whiff of sexism when rape is used as the only reason for female empowerment, playing to stereotypes that belie any idea of a woman as wanting to be a hero. Note that like most themes this can be done with respect and done well. | |||
==Examples== | |||
* [[Mercedes Lackey]] | * [[Mercedes Lackey]] | ||
* Numerous stories in [[Marion Zimmer Bradley]]'s ''[[Swords and Sorceress]]'' series, as well as in ''[[ | * Numerous stories in [[Marion Zimmer Bradley]]'s ''[[Swords and Sorceress]]'' series, as well as in ''[[Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine]]'' and anthologies | ||
* [[Naomi Kritzer]], ''[[Freedom's Gate]]'' and sequels | |||
* [[Suzy McKee Charnas]]' ''Motherlines'' series generally | |||
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* [[Rape in SF]] | * [[Rape in SF]] | ||
* [[Rapability]] | * [[Rapability]] | ||
==Discussions, criticism, analysis== | |||
* [http://blogs.feministsf.net/?p=312 The Fantasy of Rape: The Use of Rape as a Catalyst on Female Protagonists in SF/F], Naamenblog + comment thread on FSFblog, and relatedly, [[rape in SF]] and [[female protagonists who did not experience sexual assault]] | * [http://blogs.feministsf.net/?p=312 The Fantasy of Rape: The Use of Rape as a Catalyst on Female Protagonists in SF/F], Naamenblog + comment thread on FSFblog, and relatedly, [[rape in SF]] and [[female protagonists who did not experience sexual assault]] | ||
* [http://blogs.feministsf.net/?p=189 Feminist SF! the blog] for discussion of use of this plot in one set of novels. | |||
[[Category:Sexuality themes]] | |||
[[Category:Violence themes]] | |||
[[category:Themes and tropes by name]] | |||
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Latest revision as of 10:28, 8 June 2010
Rape revenge is a frequent device that authors give to their female characters. Female characters are often triggered into heroism, vigilantism, or activism by seeking revenge for a rape. (Male characters may be triggered into the same by seeking revenge for the rape of one of their family members or loved ones.)
Rape and Revenge (R&R) represents a theme in SF/F that came to prominence in the 60's/70's when more female protagonists began to appear. The basic theme is that the main character is a victim of rape and goes on to seek revenge on her attackers which provides the catalyst for her emergence as a hero. Often carries thwe whiff of sexism when rape is used as the only reason for female empowerment, playing to stereotypes that belie any idea of a woman as wanting to be a hero. Note that like most themes this can be done with respect and done well.
Examples
- Mercedes Lackey
- Numerous stories in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Swords and Sorceress series, as well as in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Fantasy Magazine and anthologies
- Naomi Kritzer, Freedom's Gate and sequels
- Suzy McKee Charnas' Motherlines series generally
- counter works
See also
Discussions, criticism, analysis
- The Fantasy of Rape: The Use of Rape as a Catalyst on Female Protagonists in SF/F, Naamenblog + comment thread on FSFblog, and relatedly, rape in SF and female protagonists who did not experience sexual assault
- Feminist SF! the blog for discussion of use of this plot in one set of novels.
- This article is a SEED, meaning it is tiny and needs lots of work. Help it grow.