(no subject)
The Visions of the Daughters of Albion tells the story of a young woman named Oothoon. Oothoon decides that she will be liberated sexually, and goes off to sleep with Theotormon. Whilst on her way she is accousted by Bromion who rapes hers. The story focuses on the reactions of all three after the event. Oothoon accepts that it has happened, and wants to move on. But Theotormon is devasted by the rape, he feels that his love, Oothoon, has been tainted by Bromion's touch.
Blake writes that "Bromion rent [Oothoon] with his thunders" (Line 16). In 'The Argument' Blake also writes from Oothoon's perespective
"I loved Theotormon
And I was not ashamed.
I trembled in my virgin fears
And I hid in Leutha's vale!
I plucked Leutha's flower,
And I rose up from the vale;
But the terrible thunders tore
My virgin mantle in twain"
Now those last two lines certainly don't sound like Oothoon was a willing particpant in the sexual encounter with Bromion.
Oothoon was raped.
There is no question of this, if you read the story. Even if you somehow misinterpreted the story, the notes in our textbook below the story it clearly state that Oothoon was raped, and that Bromion was the rapist. Plus in our discussions in class we all established and agreed that Oothoon was raped by Bromion.
Ok. Now that I have clearly established that Oothoon was raped, let me start my review.
I am reviewing a post by katie_h which can be seen here.
In this post, Katie has written a poem that she believes Oothoon should have spoken to Theotormon. Katie precedes this poem with the following "I would have liked a little guilt on [Oothoon's] behalf!"
I was disgusted by comment.
Oothoon was raped.
Yet Katie is saying that Oothoon should feel guilt for being raped.
Why should Oothoon feel guilty? Why should she be apologising to Theotormon? She was raped!!!
Is Katie blaming Oothoon for being raped???
I'm really angry about this. How can anyone blame the victim of rape? This is the prejudice that society has been fighting for years. I was of the belief that we were finally overcoming this horrible mentality, but Katie's posts have proved that it still exists. I find that scary that this prejudice exists in a female, who is well educated and who had been brought up in Australia.
What I find scarier is that this prejudice has come from someone who is studying to be a teacher! Is this the type of mentality we want our kids to be exposed to, that a woman who is raped is responisble for what happened?
I think William Blake must have rolled over in his grave when Katie wrote this post. Blake was a strong supporter of women's rights, and this type of thought was exactly what he fought against.
I can't fathom how someone could read Blake's work, and think that he was trying to blame Oothoon.
Now, I would also like to comment on another post that Katie wrote, which can be found here.
In this post Katie lends her support to Theotormon, stating that "I feel really sorry for the guy. He is pining over this cold hearted woman, who cheated on him, and feels pretty much no guilt."
Now I’m confused by this statement. Is Katie saying that Theotormon sees Oothoon as a cold-hearted cheater who doesn’t show enough guilt? Or is Katie herself calling Oothoon a cold-hearted cheater who doesn’t show enough guilt?
In light of Katie’s first post, I am inclined to believe the latter. However, I have been advised to give Katie the benefit of the doubt.
So Katie please explain your comments a little more clearly. And if in fact you are stating that you think that Oothoon is a cold-hearted cheater who doesn’t show enough guilt (even though she was RAPED) please justify your reasons for believing so.
How do you justify saying that Oothoon should feel guilt for being raped in your first post?
Blake wrote the Visions of The Daughters of Albion in the hope that it would open people's eyes to the unfair and improper treatment of women in his society.
It is very sad that his story is still relevant to our society over 200 years later.
The above picture is of Tegan Wagner, who was gang raped at 14. Tegan fought hard to have her rapists convicted for their actions. After they were sentenced to gaol (four years after the rape), Tegan spoke to the press to show other rape victims that it is important to stay strong, and to take their attackers to court, even if they are faced with prejudice from members of the community. You can read more about Tegan's courage in the face of prejudice here.
Blake writes that "Bromion rent [Oothoon] with his thunders" (Line 16). In 'The Argument' Blake also writes from Oothoon's perespective
"I loved Theotormon
And I was not ashamed.
I trembled in my virgin fears
And I hid in Leutha's vale!
I plucked Leutha's flower,
And I rose up from the vale;
But the terrible thunders tore
My virgin mantle in twain"
Now those last two lines certainly don't sound like Oothoon was a willing particpant in the sexual encounter with Bromion.
Oothoon was raped.
There is no question of this, if you read the story. Even if you somehow misinterpreted the story, the notes in our textbook below the story it clearly state that Oothoon was raped, and that Bromion was the rapist. Plus in our discussions in class we all established and agreed that Oothoon was raped by Bromion.
Ok. Now that I have clearly established that Oothoon was raped, let me start my review.
I am reviewing a post by katie_h which can be seen here.
In this post, Katie has written a poem that she believes Oothoon should have spoken to Theotormon. Katie precedes this poem with the following "I would have liked a little guilt on [Oothoon's] behalf!"
I was disgusted by comment.
Oothoon was raped.
Yet Katie is saying that Oothoon should feel guilt for being raped.
Why should Oothoon feel guilty? Why should she be apologising to Theotormon? She was raped!!!
Is Katie blaming Oothoon for being raped???
I'm really angry about this. How can anyone blame the victim of rape? This is the prejudice that society has been fighting for years. I was of the belief that we were finally overcoming this horrible mentality, but Katie's posts have proved that it still exists. I find that scary that this prejudice exists in a female, who is well educated and who had been brought up in Australia.
What I find scarier is that this prejudice has come from someone who is studying to be a teacher! Is this the type of mentality we want our kids to be exposed to, that a woman who is raped is responisble for what happened?
I think William Blake must have rolled over in his grave when Katie wrote this post. Blake was a strong supporter of women's rights, and this type of thought was exactly what he fought against.
I can't fathom how someone could read Blake's work, and think that he was trying to blame Oothoon.
Now, I would also like to comment on another post that Katie wrote, which can be found here.
In this post Katie lends her support to Theotormon, stating that "I feel really sorry for the guy. He is pining over this cold hearted woman, who cheated on him, and feels pretty much no guilt."
Now I’m confused by this statement. Is Katie saying that Theotormon sees Oothoon as a cold-hearted cheater who doesn’t show enough guilt? Or is Katie herself calling Oothoon a cold-hearted cheater who doesn’t show enough guilt?
In light of Katie’s first post, I am inclined to believe the latter. However, I have been advised to give Katie the benefit of the doubt.
So Katie please explain your comments a little more clearly. And if in fact you are stating that you think that Oothoon is a cold-hearted cheater who doesn’t show enough guilt (even though she was RAPED) please justify your reasons for believing so.
How do you justify saying that Oothoon should feel guilt for being raped in your first post?
Blake wrote the Visions of The Daughters of Albion in the hope that it would open people's eyes to the unfair and improper treatment of women in his society.
It is very sad that his story is still relevant to our society over 200 years later.
The above picture is of Tegan Wagner, who was gang raped at 14. Tegan fought hard to have her rapists convicted for their actions. After they were sentenced to gaol (four years after the rape), Tegan spoke to the press to show other rape victims that it is important to stay strong, and to take their attackers to court, even if they are faced with prejudice from members of the community. You can read more about Tegan's courage in the face of prejudice here.