Lisbeth Salander vs. Christian Grey
--The Idea of a Safe Space in Fiction--
I have read both series. I loved the Millennium books. Lisbeth is a heroine that’s right up my alley, joining other long held favorites. I picked up the Fifty Shades mostly because of all the mocking thrown its way, and at its readers. I found those books amusing in parts, troubling in others, overall an entertaining read in a genre that is definitely not mine.
In the wake of its success, there are uncounted series with
a similar theme--a dominant male character, a--more or less--submissive female
one. The media’s reaction was swift, and perpetuating the same old: Women like
to submit. I’m not satisfied with that
simple “explanation”, even if some of the reviews seem to point in that
direction. “He can have me!” one reader joyfully exclaimed about another book
whose excerpts made me cringe.
Then again, that might be just me. I have my own ideas about
what’s hot, and what’s not. Each to her own, right? Besides, we are all so used
to judging women based on their preferences, in the bedroom and out in the
world. I wanted to take another, more careful look.
The thriller genre, by the way, isn’t safe from criticism
either--and I find it remarkable that I read from most female writers that they
have been criticized for scenes containing violence against women. However,
there’s more to that theme.
When I pick up one of my beloved thrillers featuring
Lisbeth, Lindsay Boxer, Jane Rizzoli, Micky Knight, or, since recently, Rainey
Bell, I know that in the end, the woman brave enough to step into the path of
patriarchy represented by the women-hating murderer, will win. It might be a
temporary victory, but it makes me feel good. Sometimes, it’s a saving grace
when reality seems too daunting, not only regarding what happens to real women
every day, across the globe, but in the way many people react to it and ignore
or deny the underlying connection.
I dream of a world in which all the aforementioned ladies
team up and form some sort of Avengers team. Hey, that’s my fantasy! I know, I
know, the long term solution can only be to educate your sons and daughters on
the pitfalls of patriarchy, and the benefits of a society based and common
sense and kindness. Meanwhile, I want to see women get ahead, and succeed in
the real world. I’m looking at 2016 with excitement.
Back to Christian and Anastacia.
Clearly, he’s a man who crosses lines and feels entitled to
do so. There is of course the history of abuse which I’m taking into
consideration--however, it can only be an explanation for borderline abusive
tendencies in a person, never an excuse. My problems with the series lay mostly
in the moments where he interfered with her career, and also Anastacia’s
outlook at the women he’d previously dated. Then again, there is a fair amount
of negotiation the terms of their relationship, and they meet--and eventually,
marry--somewhere in the vague middle.
This is where I imagine lies some of the appeal, a man who’s
actually willing to listen to and consider the woman’s terms. He’s a
billionaire, and good-looking--the world is practically screaming at him that
he doesn’t have to. I’m torn. I also think that every woman has the right to
read and enjoy whatever rocks her boat, even if the specifics mystify me.
Maybe, the relationship of Christian and Ana, to another woman, means the same
Lisbeth and her fictional sisters represent for me--a safe space in fiction
where the horrors we hear about in the news every day, don’t win. Whatever
keeps us sane and going, and further dismantle the idea that women don’t
deserve exactly the same (protection from laws, access to health services,
authority of their bodies and lives, and so on), is fine with me. I want to say
this though:
Christian, don’t be a jerk. Lisbeth is watching you.
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