Abstract
This study analyses the novel Beauty’s Kingdom (2015), written by Anne Rice – a novel that presents BDSM (Bondage/Discipline, Dominance/Submission, Sadism/Masochism) relations through voluntary sexual submission. The volume chosen was published in 2015, four years after the publication of Fifty Shades of Grey (2011), a novel responsible for the popularization of erotic literature for a female readership. The main objective of this research is to look for BDSM representations that go beyond the existent debate on pro or against the practice and present possibilities to rethink such practices, as proposed by the scholar Margot Weiss. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47295/mren.v9i1.2192
Highlights
Erotic literature has been published for a long time, and its significance has changed throughout different moments in society
While the genre remained on the margins, erotic literature written by women suffered from an extensive repression; not because it was considered impure or subversive, but due to the repression of women’s sexuality itself
As an example of such privileges, the author Robin Bauer discusses the uses of terms such as “master” and “slave,” pointing out that among BDSM practitioners, mainly white people, there is no politicization of such terms; issues such as gender and class are constantly addressed in BDSM scenes, while race is put aside and depoliticized, which Bauer claims to be “a white privilege not to concern oneself with one’s racial status and history when playing as slave” (246)
Summary
Erotic literature has been published for a long time, and its significance has changed throughout different moments in society. As an example of such privileges, the author Robin Bauer discusses the uses of terms such as “master” and “slave,” pointing out that among BDSM practitioners, mainly white people, there is no politicization of such terms; issues such as gender and class are constantly addressed in BDSM scenes, while race is put aside and depoliticized, which Bauer claims to be “a white privilege not to concern oneself with one’s racial status and history when playing as slave” (246). It is important, and necessary, to discuss and problematize BDSM practices. Not everyone could be a sex slave in the kingdom of Bellavalten, only the “young royalty.” The BDSM scenario and the presence of sex slaves are not a reality in the whole fictional world of the Sleeping Beauty Trilogy; there are other villages and kingdoms that do not follow the example of the kingdom of Bellavalten
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callSimilar Papers
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
