guardians_song (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
guardians_song) wrote2013-09-20 10:43 pm
guardians_song) wrote2013-09-20 10:43 pm
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Let's Read: Carmilla [Interlude]
I've decided there's just no way I can handle the discussion of Chapter 7, due to dubcon [symbolism]. The interpretation I would be forced to use, by the Internet canon, is that Laura may be enjoying it but of course she doesn't want it, heavens no, and she's so very violated... And, well, the text does not support that interpretation. Therefore we will be discussing The Appeal of the Supernatural Dubcon Fantasy instead.
Imagine, if you will, that you are a mature, sensible person of sound judgment and adequate morality. You have been taught all your life that your needs must come second to the will of society and the frailties of others. You have been taught all your life that your desires - not your actions, but your desires - must conform to a certain predetermined pattern of desires which it is moral to have, and if your desires were to not fit this template, even if you never acted upon them, then you would be a twisted abomination. You have been taught that no matter how badly you desire something, you must bring all your powers of rationality and moral judgment upon the issue, and if you determine that it is not optimal for you, you must shut that desire behind a locked door and never let it see the light of day.
And now there is someone you desire so much it hurts, that it occupies your every waking thought, that it begins to make the morality slip away from your waking fantasies and the good judgment slip away from your private desires - and you know it is wrong, but you can't or won't make yourself stop. You want them on levels you didn't even know you had. And their mere presence heals wounds in your soul you'd taken always for granted, but still you're greedy, and you want more...
So it isn't your fault. It never was. It's their supernatural magnetism. It's natural and right that you would feel this way towards them. Anyone who was in your particular situation would feel the same way. And for some reason, they notice you back. By heaven and all the saints, they notice you. And even if you won't make a single move towards them, because you're a moral and good person, they will do anything to have you.
And, because this is fantasy, they have everything you're supposed to desire. They're rich. They're beautiful. They're powerful. They're mighty - mightier than any mortal. Even a sensible person like you should desire them. Your only reason for shying away from them is something that would never occur in real life - again, the supernatural aspect. It's just your silliness - a silliness they'll overrule. And for once in your life, you'll hear what you've been craving to hear all your life - that your better judgment is wrong, and that you can reach out to take everything you desire, because not only is it within your grasp, but it's all right to want it. That, in fact, you have no choice in wanting it. That they will give you no choice in wanting it.
It's not your fault. It's never your fault. It's not because you were immature and impulsive. It's not because you lost your senses of your own will. It's not because your judgment failed you. It's not because your morality gave way in the test. It's because your maturity departed you, your senses deserted you, your judgment forsook you, and your morality abdicated and left you bereft.
And so, because you are their innocent and hapless victim, you will live the inner life of a saint and live the outer life of a person who would burn cities to receive everything that you desire.
Fight it all you like - it will serve only to confirm your moral piety. They do not care. They will breach all your barriers and silence all your protestations to give you what you want.
And, under all your panic and dismay, you'll feel nothing so much as a tremendous sense of relief.
...I don't care if that doesn't reflect Random Person #349's experiences. It's an observation. And it's not something that necessarily always appeals. Only if it hits the right cues, obviously.
At any rate, I think the Carmilla Let's Read will continue with Chapter 8. See you whenever that is!
Imagine, if you will, that you are a mature, sensible person of sound judgment and adequate morality. You have been taught all your life that your needs must come second to the will of society and the frailties of others. You have been taught all your life that your desires - not your actions, but your desires - must conform to a certain predetermined pattern of desires which it is moral to have, and if your desires were to not fit this template, even if you never acted upon them, then you would be a twisted abomination. You have been taught that no matter how badly you desire something, you must bring all your powers of rationality and moral judgment upon the issue, and if you determine that it is not optimal for you, you must shut that desire behind a locked door and never let it see the light of day.
And now there is someone you desire so much it hurts, that it occupies your every waking thought, that it begins to make the morality slip away from your waking fantasies and the good judgment slip away from your private desires - and you know it is wrong, but you can't or won't make yourself stop. You want them on levels you didn't even know you had. And their mere presence heals wounds in your soul you'd taken always for granted, but still you're greedy, and you want more...
So it isn't your fault. It never was. It's their supernatural magnetism. It's natural and right that you would feel this way towards them. Anyone who was in your particular situation would feel the same way. And for some reason, they notice you back. By heaven and all the saints, they notice you. And even if you won't make a single move towards them, because you're a moral and good person, they will do anything to have you.
And, because this is fantasy, they have everything you're supposed to desire. They're rich. They're beautiful. They're powerful. They're mighty - mightier than any mortal. Even a sensible person like you should desire them. Your only reason for shying away from them is something that would never occur in real life - again, the supernatural aspect. It's just your silliness - a silliness they'll overrule. And for once in your life, you'll hear what you've been craving to hear all your life - that your better judgment is wrong, and that you can reach out to take everything you desire, because not only is it within your grasp, but it's all right to want it. That, in fact, you have no choice in wanting it. That they will give you no choice in wanting it.
It's not your fault. It's never your fault. It's not because you were immature and impulsive. It's not because you lost your senses of your own will. It's not because your judgment failed you. It's not because your morality gave way in the test. It's because your maturity departed you, your senses deserted you, your judgment forsook you, and your morality abdicated and left you bereft.
And so, because you are their innocent and hapless victim, you will live the inner life of a saint and live the outer life of a person who would burn cities to receive everything that you desire.
Fight it all you like - it will serve only to confirm your moral piety. They do not care. They will breach all your barriers and silence all your protestations to give you what you want.
And, under all your panic and dismay, you'll feel nothing so much as a tremendous sense of relief.
...I don't care if that doesn't reflect Random Person #349's experiences. It's an observation. And it's not something that necessarily always appeals. Only if it hits the right cues, obviously.
At any rate, I think the Carmilla Let's Read will continue with Chapter 8. See you whenever that is!