Snowflake Challenge 11: Favorite Tropes!

[yelp]

I feel a bit self-conscious posting this, because I know my favorite trope can be a controversial and problematic one. Please help me out and skip reading this entry if these topics may be uncomfortable for you!

I’ve always wanted to write a “trope manifesto” someday, maybe with recs and/or some kind of annotated field journal classifying all the many subgenres of this trope I’ve encountered, but today is not that day! Instead, today’s challenge inspired more of a quick armchair self-psychoanalysis of why my id might crave these things so much…

 

So, I primarily love reading stories about fear and mercy. Experiencing the depth of tension and terror through a fictional character, and accordingly receiving an equal measure of relief at the resolution—all in a controlled, textual environment—it’s very soothing to me. I find that slavefic (slavery AUs) tend to be an excellent source of this dynamic. Being entirely at someone else’s mercy, being conditioned by past abuse to expect more of the same, only to be surprised when someone for once doesn’t take advantage of their position? It’s a wonderful dynamic, from either point of view.

 

There is a lot of fear and anxiety in life, and I enjoy that when reading from the enslaved character’s POV, all that fear is concentrated onto a single person. Not some intractable force or nature, some indifferent masses, some fickle fortune—but one person, that could be reasoned with, that could choose to spare you the thing you’re dreading. I’m kind of a people pleaser IRL, and feel a lot of demands on me to keep up my various responsibilities. In these stories, there’s only one responsibility, the stakes are much higher for pleasing this person, when your entire life is at their whim. Messing up is part of it too; expecting to be punished for some infraction, only to find out your crimes really aren’t so bad (you’re not so bad) as you think. Knowing to your deepest core that some dreadful judgment lies in your future, but instead being rescued, reprieved, forgiven.

 

From the master's perspective, part of the appeal is the idea that you could be a monster, could do or be the worst possible thing to someone, and still be loved? Maybe there’s some wish fulfillment in having someone at your service, utterly attentive to your whims and desires—but there’s also the aspect of choosing to be better than they expect you to be. Being the only one who can help this person in need, who has never known kindness before, and showing them the gentleness they’ve been deprived. I absolutely love when a character is aware of the power they hold, the fear they inspire, and rather than taking advantage, instead holds themselves to a higher standard of behavior because of it.

 

The whole dynamic plays into some of my favorite other tropes too! The forced proximity and intimacy of having someone new in your space all of a sudden, and how your life is changed by it. The loyalty and familiarity the characters develop, being thrust into this stressful and intense situation. I also enjoy the social dynamics—a difference in station, background, position in society—and how it can cause misunderstandings and discoveries between the two characters. At the end of the day, to me these are stories about connection, absolution, and doing your best to be better than what society has conditioned you to be.

Comments

[vriddy]

Oooh a trope manifesto sounds fantastic :D I love how you described this trope and its appeal!!

At the end of the day, to me these are stories about connection, absolution, and doing your best to be better than what society has conditioned you to be.

Great stuff! It sounds so cathartic.

[makamu]

I really enjoyed your entry (and I'd read that trope manifesto, just saying). Your reflections on punishment and mercy really made me see a new angle of Slavery AUs - which I also like - that I hadn't considered before. Thank you for the food for thought!

[cornerofmadness]

Thanks for sharing. Power dynamics can be endlessly fascinating

[shipperslist]

Master/slave dynamic is one of the few things that tend to make me feel uncomfortable but your post made a lot of sense, thank you for writing!

[scytale]

My first thought, reading all of this, was, "Xiao??". ;p

I really love your analysis here of the tension and catharsis -- you explain the id appeal so clearly and eloquently!

At the end of the day, to me these are stories about connection, absolution, and doing your best to be better than what society has conditioned you to be.

Ooh, yes, that sounds lovely. <3 <3 <3

(Also, I may have book recs for you -- may, because I'd have to check if they're what I remember -- if you want them!)

[silveradept]

I appreciate the entry and the explanation as to why the trope appeals to you. I wouldn't have considered that particular trope to be about being better (or at least not as bad) than what is expected of you before reading this.

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith]

>>I’ve always wanted to write a “trope manifesto” someday, maybe with recs and/or some kind of annotated field journal classifying all the many subgenres of this trope I’ve encountered<<

Go for it! May I recommend marchmetamatterschallenge and meta_warehouse.

>>So, I primarily love reading stories about fear and mercy. Experiencing the depth of tension and terror through a fictional character, and accordingly receiving an equal measure of relief at the resolution—all in a controlled, textual environment—it’s very soothing to me.<<

That's exactly the same pattern that draws some people to practice kink.

>> I find that slavefic (slavery AUs) tend to be an excellent source of this dynamic. Being entirely at someone else’s mercy, being conditioned by past abuse to expect more of the same, only to be surprised when someone for once doesn’t take advantage of their position? It’s a wonderful dynamic, from either point of view.<<

I find slavefic to offer an interesting range of options, especially if the author has studied slavery anywhere other than America (which had a pretty warped version). So for instance, historic eunuchs were often technically slaves but in practice they could hold positions of influence, even luxury. Rome had a tendency to stuff all new conquests under the bottom of its social pyramid but then tell people how to work their way up if they wanted to. There can be so many different dynamics, before you even get into fantasy or SF versions. I've seen some very erudite renditions of house elf dynamics, for instance.

>>I’m kind of a people pleaser IRL, and feel a lot of demands on me to keep up my various responsibilities. In these stories, there’s only one responsibility,<<

Hence why some bosses are also extreme submissives. Being in charge is exhausting.

>>Knowing to your deepest core that some dreadful judgment lies in your future, but instead being rescued, reprieved, forgiven.<<

I had one character fall completely apart over the being forgiven part. It was a bad match to begin with, discipline-wise, but they were honestly trying to make it work. Not slavery, but kink in a professional context.

>>Being the only one who can help this person in need, who has never known kindness before, and showing them the gentleness they’ve been deprived.<<

Tempting.

>> I absolutely love when a character is aware of the power they hold, the fear they inspire, and rather than taking advantage, instead holds themselves to a higher standard of behavior because of it.<<

I agree. Gentleness is controlled strength.

I touch on some of this with Loki and Clint in Love Is For Children. "And You Became Like Coffee" has a comment thread about their relationship. It's so messy and so fraught, yet so beautiful.