[fic ramble #20983409]

[reenka]

I think this post by worldserpent verbalizes my confused feelings about the two approaches to literature (quality vs. entertainment, or 'status' vs. 'contract'), and why one has so much more dominance in fandom. More specifically why the search for 'quality' and 'ICness' in fanfic is basically futile, like,
    people adopting extreme Status attitudes (oh noes, why do people ignore this great work even if it's in a genre/pairing they have no interest in; fanfiction is insufficiently citius altius fortius (faster higher stronger); writers are not sufficiently into busting the dominant paradigms! Also all of the meta which seems to have a subtext of "eat your peas."
    Also, so correctly: a broken Contract induces rage. Exhibit A, crazed Harmonians.

I'm sufficiently humbled: I'm very sorry if I've ever seemed to imply people should eat their peas (as I fear I have). Honestly, I hate peas. I just want my favorite cake, but realize I should bloody well make it myself. Well, I tried, though in the end it was just kind of glum having a party of one.


Anyway, the point was that this quite natural focus on 'contract' drove her in particular to stop reading fanfic-- and I think that's what it's done to me too. I -love- fanfic for the way it approaches writing (communal, multi-layered, nonlinear), but I can't stand wading through the dreck and having my own personal 'contract' broken so repeatedly. In the end, I'm no better than a 'crazed Harmonian' with all my ranty rage about fanon!Draco, people not writing 'serious' H/D and so on and so forth. I mean, sane people just stop reading fic, and I guess that's what I did in the end-- but at first it really feels like such a -betrayal- that no one's writing what -I- want to read; it's ridiculous, and a clear sign I'm reading for 'contract' (my own entertainment) moreso than quality, and should really try harder not to confuse the two, even if it's true I read for quality first (I thought).

Actually, I don't think I do; I'm mainly a (fantasy/romance) genre reader, and I have no great interest in reading 'great' works of literature just because they're great. It's always been that way. With my family being old-school intellectuals, I'll probably never get over the guilt with that, but fact remains I've always read for pleasure first and I basically don't care how 'good' the book is if it's boring. On the other hand, I'm incredibly picky about the things I like, and become extremely focused and narrow in what my 'contract' is. Even so, I don't think I'll ever narrow so far as to read for 'status', because that's just joyless, and to me reading is joy.

Actually, I read for quality in the -beginning- of fandom much more-- just a different sort of quality, perhaps. I used to be nearly 100% style-centric, and now I'm probably something like 85% content-centric, which is ridiculously high & hard to meet. It's all rather contradictory but such is (my) life.
~~

Also, I reread this old post on how all women love a fascist (ie, an 'Alpha Bastard' and/or Byronic Hero) and it struck me in relation to my recent post on Tsukasa from Hana Yori Dango, who's pretty classic in that respect. There was a comment on that saying that they prefer 'the witty, dangerous, heart-on-his/her-sleeve rogue'.

It made me think that this too is a very old literary/romance type, though usually not the one who Gets the Girl (when he does, like in the shoujo manga `Mars' or, well, in Robin Hood), I think I'm somewhat surprised, but usually this is also explained by there being a lack of the brooding Dark Knight. The girl -always- picks the Dark Knight in traditional romance, at least.

I was also thinking that my attraction to the Dark Knight is very different from liking them because they're such fascist bastards, even though I like to keep harping on their angsty bastard qualities with a sort of glee. I certainly like people's dark sides, but I suspect this is why more reasonable people than I dislike them or even hate them. And often enough, the girls who like this 'bad boy' character will say they'll dump them if they turn 'good' or 'gooey' or vulnerable (like the William bits in Spike), whereas my approach is totally different. I think the 'wounded boy' parts in this archetype are the most vital and interesting parts, and without them you wouldn't have a real person. At the same time, I'm not in favor of the girl 'taming' or totally (unrealistically) changing them but rather them finding some measure of self-acceptance or peace through loving & being loved, which isn't all that far-fetched.

Basically, I think inside every 'fascist Alpha Bastard' Byronic type there's a wounded, rather pathetic little boy who needs love. Believe me, I'm saying this with a total straight face, too. I'm not saying they're cuddly bunnies on the inside, I'm saying they're wounded, damaged people, usually messed up sometime in their childhood. I don't think a properly empathetic lover would be delusional to think they can help. Though I have to admit most romances written about this are highly unrealistic in execution.

Also, this made me think of a color classification system of sorts for the dominant male romance archetypes, where the Brooding Byronic Bastard would be the 'black' type (ie, Snape & Harry), the Dashing Dangerous Wit would be 'red' (ie, Sirius and James, probably Draco) and then there's 'silver' for the Brilliant but Shy Gentleman (ie, Remus). (Alpha/beta/theta??) There are probably others I can't think of at the moment. :>


    And I feel I should mention that these types are rather fluid and often cross over in terms of actual characters. For instance, you can't say that 'violent temper' is a property of the 'red' type alone (I think the brooding 'black' type is just more likely to uh, hold on to grudges, perhaps). Similarly, brilliance can be a characteristic of any type of personality, it's just that it defines the 'silver' type's behavior most heavily, in the sense that they tend to be more passive or non-emotional in a different way that the 'black' type would be-- meaning they're not cold (and repressing their red-hotness, mmm) but rather -cool-, if that makes sense. Though the cool 'silver' type is just repressing things differently a lot of times, etcetc :D

EDIT - Anyway, because I felt I did need to elaborate on the types beyond just a few examples, here:
    Black = the 'bitter', neurotic, angsty type. Given to outbursts of anger/rage/violence if pushed but generally controlled and/or distant. Possibly bored or disillusioned with either most people or life in general. Usually v. intelligent but not quite intellectual per se. Very dominant to the point of being near-sociopathic in interactions with others, though capable of putting on a good show; it's more natural to just intimidate people, though. Has very few (to none) good close friends; is generally overly close/attached to some childhood female figure and/or has a complex. Is not talkative and represses quite a lot of emotion. May be sexually promiscuous but in a desultory way-- generally avoids too much contact. Without 'help' or intervention, can become psychotic and totally separated from humanity-- sadism kicks in. With help or someone to lean on/let off steam with/talk with, can gradually soften and become more of a leader, someone who actually wants to take care of/protect people. One might say that overall, this type is just repressing the fact that he's 'red' on the inside, so to speak, but that's what gives him that somewhat mysterious quality.
    To be quite disgustingly meta, you could say he would be a manifestation of Ego; of Will. His willfulness and stubbornness define him.

Red = the witty, charming yet often violent playboy type. Tends to hide his emotions a lot better while also wearing his heart on his sleeve in a more obvious fashion-- meaning, you can see his moods pretty well, but you can't get really close very easily either, and he has a ferocious temper that's pretty easily triggered. Does tend to have a group of close friends and a whole slew of acquaintances, and treats women very well as a rule and likes to be treated well in return. Tends to have a style of 'no commitments & no attachments' & yet is so charming and funny he gets away with it. Likes to affect a happy-go-lucky attitude that hides a darker side which is slow-moving and intense, which even he may not be aware of. Is very hard to catch off-guard and will swear that being loyal and devoted is completely out of his nature, but it is actually his true nature, it's just that he's more multi-focused and genuinely interested in people than the 'black' type. Pretty addicted to danger & excitement of all sorts, and tends to have a very good way with words.
    Is definitely representative of Id on a very meta level; I like to associate this archetype with Mars lately. The god of War.

Silver = harder to define, as it is a rarer and more elusive type of character. Tends to be quiet and keeps to himself, generally observing and not causing a scene. Is the 'calm one' whom many dismiss and don't treat as a danger (wrongly). Can be rather manipulative and casual about it, but is generally dedicated to whatever ideal/ethical system he follows. Won't let himself be seen or understood very easily, but doesn't bluster or bluff with coldness or violence. Is polite to a fault & can smile insincerely in many different ways; is a master of insulting you so subtly you don't know you've been insulted.
    Rather manipulative and generally emotionally weak, but thinks he's more mature than everyone around him. Tends to fall for fiery, emotional types that drive him insane, but also get him to open up and be more spontaneous and genuine. Another characteristic is a tendency to give things up easily and forgive too easily while really keeping a score on some level at the same time. Is a gentleman on principle rather than any sort of desire to impress or be liked by everybody-- he often wants to be liked by those he finds worthy, and the rest just to fall into place and not bother him. Has the ability to get along with anyone and makes few enemies, but when he does, it's forever.
    Might be seen as a manifestation of the superego in some ways. Sort of.
~~

I just read this blog entry which gave me an interesting bit of perspective, being a tribute to all the 'nice' girls out there and the guys who complain that all the girls want mean guys & not them, whereas really they don't give the nice girls the time of day either. And I always feel chagrined when I remember this basic reality of existence, and how I always pair the nice ones with the mean ones and don't blink twice, and how that's just perpetuating the cycle of misunderstanding & misery in real life, because people have these sorts of unrealistic expectations of their actual love-lives.
    And all I can say is that I -know-, of course I know (being a nice girl myself, mostly) that it's not just the mean and tortured ones that need love, and of course I don't think being closed-off and emotionally immature should mean you can get away with anything (ie, emotional abuse). Life isn't fiction, as they say.

Comments

...and their...toys sounds better than neuroses

[yourpoison.livejournal.com]

Hee, it's so cool how the things we like are so similar, but with small yet significant differences! :> I'm totally with you on the ravishment thing-- the stereotypical appeal of bodice-rippers, how sad-- and on the need for huge good points to set off any lameness-- though I think I'm just particularly sensitive to the pathos of characters like Shion or even, um, the Red King in Basara. I think overall, I probably see it because I -want- to see it, not so much wanting to pity them as-- understand their outlook. I think it's that whole animus fascination thing, for me. I totally realize how they'd be more attractive as people if their vulnerability (or doofusness, whichever, ahaha) was more tangible, but basically I'm just willing to work for it and pick up those crumbs as a sort of challenge or adventure or something.... er. -.-

I'm totally there with you on the difference between sympathy & pity, seen through the whole Snape & Draco vs. Harry & Sirius thing. Though I think that's if you -give- sympathy to characters like Harry, which people who like characters like Snape or Draco often don't, 'cause you know, they're 'the Man' and have too much power/influence which they misuse or because they're too mean to the underdog or etcetc metameta, ahahah. I think most people either like Draco in a nurturing/motherly way or they identify or they fanonize him out of his patheticness. There is only me, the lone ranger of actually not pitying Draco and still trying to like him and diss him only sometimes. He-- and pathetic characters in general-- seem to really polarize reader response, somehow.

I think you're right that Shion gives off a coded 'cool' vibe in a different way than Tsukasa, who can never -quite- pull it off, though-- allowing Tsukushi more real power than Mokuren, for all the emotional submission you have with both of them, and I admit I like these sorts of cases better even though they're rarer. That is, the girl is more -obviously- emotionally dominant, I guess, like with Buffy&Spike...? Or at least she's given the opportunity early on. Though... when someone who's normally prideful and dominant is obsessively in love with you, if you -realize- it and accept it, anyone would have the power, ahahah -.-;; Though not Mokuren/Alice, perhaps-- she's too nurturing and accepting, though I love PSME partly because I identify with her so much. *sigh*

Usually, though, I love stories most where the girl is spunky and strong-willed herself, and doesn't take any of the guy's shit, so that allows me not to dislike him too much when he acts like a total asshole like with Tsukasa allowing her to be harassed that time. It's also really great like in Basara, where he's mean to her and persecutes her and stuff, but thinks it's her twin brother, ahahaha. -.- Anyway, I suspect this emotional strength of the other character gives it the 'ravishment vs rape' effect in that it -looks- abusive but is actually just really rough courtship. Maybe :>

Remus really is a wet piece of toast, though. That's why I like him with Sirius, partly-- these guys need someone so outrageous as to drive them insane enough to snap. Because I do think the toast thing is something of an act-- not that he's secretly cool somehow, but he showed by his increased demandingness in OoTP that he'd been toning himself down for the Marauders, still.... Though most fangirls... er, yeah.... All they see is the gentlemanly thing, the wild-wild-beast thing and possibly the chocolate obsession, I dunno :>

Re: ...and their...toys sounds better than neuroses

[cellia.livejournal.com]

Anyway, I suspect this emotional strength of the other character gives it the 'ravishment vs rape' effect in that it -looks- abusive but is actually just really rough courtship. Maybe :>

See, I don't even really see it as courtship, but as chasing/begging. He just, uh, managed to halfway "catch" the object of their affections as they chase. But, of course, it's only a physical catch, so really, the physical control/interaction only shoves it more blatently to the forefront that they are still so far behind their goal and utterly unrequited.

Though... when someone who's normally prideful and dominant is obsessively in love with you, if you -realize- it and accept it, anyone would have the power, ahahah -.-;; As soon as the chick realizes/accepts the dymanic is different. Because she's somehow reciprocating now. She's joined the dance. It's become courtship (of whatever type). Rough courtship is fun, but not quite the same zing for me as ravishment. Of course I like best when the story segues from one to another. Ending, naturally, with him wrapped firmly around her little finger, but not so firmly so he's still grr male and a handy guy to have around (and worth having wrapped around one's little finger).

Remus; can I just say he sucks and leave it at that? I mean, I could have a deep discussion citing from the books and all. But. Remus. bleh. >.

Re: ...and their...toys sounds better than neuroses

[yourpoison.livejournal.com]

Eh, you're right-- you seem to have all the stages worked out way more precisely than I~:)) I think if you broke it down any more, we'd have 85% of a surefire romance plot, ahahaha. I'm so... almost tempted :>

But yeah, um, I should've realized that the 'realization' is a major stage in an of itself-- like with all that stuff Aja likes to say about how Harry has to 'see' Draco-- it's similar, perhaps. Perhaps this is the problem-- what with top!Harry, it'd be difficult to get him to ravish Draco before he 'saw' him. Ahh so... needlessly complicated, somehow. Y'know, when I think about that stuff with the little finger & the wrapping-- I never thought I was the kind of girl who was into that (I'm all about equality! and partnership! and liberation! I thought!) but looking back, I totally do go for it, though I go for struggle/balance-among-equals as well. What I really -hate- is when both the physical & emotional power goes to the same party. I just start twitching and wanting someone (in the fic) to die pay :>

Ahahah, I've never particularly liked Remus, but... sometimes certain authors do write him both sympathetically & in character. Usually somehow it helps me that he's hopelessly in love with Sirius & can't do a thing about it. But that's just me :>