You (one whole person) asked for it (slash excerpt) and here it is:
[...]Many of the reasons why fans write and read slash blur the personal and the political. Personally, slash fiction offers active engagement rather than passive consumption, an outlet for sexual fantasies formed around the characters of the original text, and a way to fill in gaps the consumer feels detracts from their enjoyment of the original text. Some writers also feel a political sense of empowerment through subverting the original text to their own agenda. The exploration of seemingly gender-equal relationships is also a powerful draw for writers dissatisfied with the presentation of heterosexual relationships in television and other media (Lee 2003; Macdonald 2006). [....However] Ultimately, gender stereotype is not actually transcended through gender blending because stereotypes from both genders are necessary in order for something meaningful to occur or to be recognized as unique. According to Busse (2002), the love between two such gender blended male characters could be more “equal” with feminine and masculine aspects of each male character open to exploration. Most slash involves two otherwise “straight” characters that are drawn together, despite their normal preferences, out of an ideal of love and friendship. This ideal is realized in each other and transcends physical/sexual objectification. But the possibility of “equal” relationships through this supposed transcendence cannot be achieved because of the necessity of stereotypically feminine and masculine constructs. Because of this fallacy, Woledge cautions to not look to gender blending stories for “…a feminist success story in which gendered assumptions can be transcended” (2005:62) and to realize that “…they leave unquestioned our culture’s stereotypical association of homosexuality with feminine traits” (2005:63). Lynne Joyrich (1996) also posits that slash is an unrealistic portrayal of the gender dynamics in a homosexual relationship because of assumptions about equality based on gender blended characters made by predominantly heterosexual, female writers. Etc, etc.
Does this make sense to anyone? I'm leaving a lot out so it may seem sort of confusing. Anyway, all that's left now is the class presentation - woohoo! In other news - I just watched a squirrel for 10 minutes and recorded its activities at every 30 second interval. It was actually kind of fun in a soothing way. Squirrels - they likes their nuts and blossoms. Love, Sam.
[...]Many of the reasons why fans write and read slash blur the personal and the political. Personally, slash fiction offers active engagement rather than passive consumption, an outlet for sexual fantasies formed around the characters of the original text, and a way to fill in gaps the consumer feels detracts from their enjoyment of the original text. Some writers also feel a political sense of empowerment through subverting the original text to their own agenda. The exploration of seemingly gender-equal relationships is also a powerful draw for writers dissatisfied with the presentation of heterosexual relationships in television and other media (Lee 2003; Macdonald 2006). [....However] Ultimately, gender stereotype is not actually transcended through gender blending because stereotypes from both genders are necessary in order for something meaningful to occur or to be recognized as unique. According to Busse (2002), the love between two such gender blended male characters could be more “equal” with feminine and masculine aspects of each male character open to exploration. Most slash involves two otherwise “straight” characters that are drawn together, despite their normal preferences, out of an ideal of love and friendship. This ideal is realized in each other and transcends physical/sexual objectification. But the possibility of “equal” relationships through this supposed transcendence cannot be achieved because of the necessity of stereotypically feminine and masculine constructs. Because of this fallacy, Woledge cautions to not look to gender blending stories for “…a feminist success story in which gendered assumptions can be transcended” (2005:62) and to realize that “…they leave unquestioned our culture’s stereotypical association of homosexuality with feminine traits” (2005:63). Lynne Joyrich (1996) also posits that slash is an unrealistic portrayal of the gender dynamics in a homosexual relationship because of assumptions about equality based on gender blended characters made by predominantly heterosexual, female writers. Etc, etc.
Does this make sense to anyone? I'm leaving a lot out so it may seem sort of confusing. Anyway, all that's left now is the class presentation - woohoo! In other news - I just watched a squirrel for 10 minutes and recorded its activities at every 30 second interval. It was actually kind of fun in a soothing way. Squirrels - they likes their nuts and blossoms. Love, Sam.
posted by Tatterdemallion at 4:28 PM
2 Comments:
Hey, I like my nuts and blossoms as well, but am still flattered that you've referred to me as "one whole person". Thanks for the excerpt from your slash fiction essay. It does make sense, (and it's really well written) but I'm still sorta perplexed by the practice, the idea of having to fill in gaps or empowering oneself through suvberting original texts. It just seems so... too much time on your hands, you know? I just can't imagine thinking one day "I know, I've got a spare two hours, why don't I write a raunchy novella about Luke and Obi Wan". OK, the "Ew!" factor is quite potent there, but you know, you've got to wonder what happens right before fingers hit keyboards with these things. Thanks for posting the excerpt, very brave!
Thanks for your compliments - I'm glad it made sense. Sorry it took me so long to publish them and now get back to you. I switched from unmoderated to moderated and thought that I would receive an email if there were comments... Anyhoo, I think raunchy Star Wars novellas are just a passion for some people. Can't say I'm enthralled with the Luke/Obi Wan pairing myself (or that I've ever even read any of it). I'm more a Garak/Bashir or Jayne/Simon kind of girl ;).
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