Comments | akashathekitty: Symptom of Rape Culture?

akashathekitty

Symptom of Rape Culture?

Dec 03, 2010 15:34

I'd really like as many as possible to comment on this, if you have the time/inclinations/a lot of feelings, okay?

It's about this story of mine. It's also available here if you aren't a member of H&V. In the Darkness, All Cats are Grey.

I just received a PM about that fic. Rather than summarize it, I will copy it in its entirety, leaving out who ( Read more... )

dub-con/non-con, my thoughts on yaoi, discussion, rape culture, intent is magical, in the darkness..., i have a lot of feeeeelings

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eevilalice December 3 2010, 18:10:06 UTC

Thanks for opening up this discussion. Let's see if I can organize some of my thoughts.

Of the work you've written that I've read, this story is actually my least favorite, primarily due to reasons along the lines of those mentioned in the PM you quoted. At the time, I don't think I could articulate the issue, but I think it may have been that I do find the story to be non-con instead of dub-con (as others have noted, this can be a fine line in fanfic, and each reader has her understanding of the terms).

I believe you're overstating Hermione's awareness or suspicions regarding who she's with. I just reread the story, and it seems to me that, though she does note that assumed-Ron (Draco) is being different in several places, and even thinks to herself it would be hot to pretend it's a stranger, she still assumes it's Ron. She only thinks that it's easy to imagine that it's someone else. She's shocked when she discovers it wasn't actually Ron when she speaks with him later. You also make every effort to show that, yeah, Draco ( ... )

akashathekitty December 3 2010, 18:42:25 UTC

I believe you're overstating Hermione's awareness or suspicions regarding who she's with.

I may very well be. I read a lot into the details myself. I recall when I wrote it, I was actually concerned about whether it was too subtle but my beta (at the time) didn't want me to add more. No, I'm not saying that anything is my beta's fault, but I remember that so clearly that it's very possible my goggles are different than any of my readers' goggles. It's just a bit odd to me that in almost three years nobody ever made the observation that it was more non- than dub-con if more than a handful of people feels that way.

The story didn't "trigger" me or anything, and I'd never ask you to change it (or even the warning if the summary does an adequate job outlining the scenario).

I'm still iffy about calling it straight-up non-con (as that has different connotations with more far-reaching consequences to me) but I'd be willing to make an extra note or addition to the summary that more clearly states the scenario if it's lacking.

As far as ( ... )

eevilalice December 3 2010, 19:05:26 UTC

I think Draco's behavior feels condoned to me because of the way in which it's repeatedly made clear how concerned he is about forcing himself on her physically, about hurting her, even when it comes to his little internal comments regarding her pleasure and how Ron seemed less concerned with that given Hermione's reactions and comments. In short, you don't make Draco much of an asshole when it comes to his interaction with Hermione except for the issue of his not caring that she doesn't know it's him, and that's made to feel like such a minor thing in comparison. I think that may have been what bothered me most. It's like, "Aw, Draco's so considerate, he's always secretly wanted Hermione, and he's giving her more pleasure than Ron, her boyfriend."

I don't agree that everyone perpetuates rape culture, though I would say that most cultures are rape cultures (if that makes sense)?

akashathekitty December 3 2010, 19:13:51 UTC

In short, you don't make Draco much of an asshole when it comes to his interaction with Hermione except for the issue of his not caring that she doesn't know it's him, and that's made to feel like such a minor thing in comparison. I think that may have been what bothered me most. It's like, "Aw, Draco's so considerate, he's always secretly wanted Hermione, and he's giving her more pleasure than Ron, her boyfriend."

That's valuable information. I don't condone Draco's behaviour or even his ideas about Ron's skills, but he is an unreliable narrator and I may have assumed too much from the reader in the "of course he's an asshole, duh! He's Draco Malfoy!" respect. The fact that he's concerned with hurting her physically is actually rather ironic when coupled with how he easily convinces himself that it's all right to trick her into having sex with him.

I don't agree that everyone perpetuates rape cultureOkay, I'll grant that not every individual does, but far too many people think it's perfectly fine to be concerned with how women ( ... )

eevilalice December 3 2010, 19:19:07 UTC

I mean, it's amazing how likable you make Draco in the story and in this situation! I think that's part of why the story is so well-liked and why no one's raised the issue before now.

akashathekitty December 3 2010, 19:27:08 UTC

Like I said in another comment, fandom allows some stupid shit to fly at times and that's why discussions like these are valuable. I'm not sure I would actually have written Draco much differently, but I could have made sure to disclaim better. And also have reconsidered some of the subtleties in the story.