The (sorry to be so blunt) "Rape" Plot

[hopelesslydevoted]

Ok I wasn't sure where to put this, so I'm sorry if this thread ended up in the wrong place...but I have a question that is BOTHERING the heck out of me

But I suppose I should put a warning...This topic has the potential to get mature...so I'll try to censor and hope everyone does the same

Ok, this whole " OFC gets raped by Socs ( in public may i add) plot" is really starting to get to me...I don't think the Socs would risk their reputations like that...

So, First Question:

If a writer feels this awful occurrence is absolutely necessary, wouldn't it be more realistic to have it be more of a date-rape scenario where some GREASER takes the girl-in-question out, makes her feel good (compliments, etc) and she feels so comfortable she lets her guard down and he takes advantage of that...and you can guess what happens...

I guess my next question, or thought rather, is that I really don't feel that rape is something an uninformed/green writer should mess around with...I really don't see why THIS plot line is so common and used ( usually poorly and inconsiderately) to make a reader feel bad for these characters...and so their love interest in the gang can save them...

And I think I'd have to say my next question is this : Is this plot line acceptable when used properly and not solely to get our, and the boys', sympathy?


Sorry, this was botheringgg me beyond belief...I had to ask for opinions...

[Nittanylizard]

Don't worry about being blunt, this is a site for writers and readers. We like bluntness and honesty .

I think some writers try to use rape as a plot device to get the reader (and the canon characters) to feel sorry for their original character. Then, rather than deal with the consequences of the rape, they move right on to have the character develop a relationship with one of the greasers. Maybe they think this is a good quick way to have their character rescued by the person they want her to be paired up with. I think inexperience has a lot to do with it - not realizing yet how to develop a character in subtle ways and drawing the reader into the story.

I agree, the stories that plug the Socs in as the shallow bad guys don't come off as realistic for the reasons you mentioned. They hinge a plot point on characters that just don't feel real.

I think it's absolutely an acceptable plot line. In fact, I think a lot of the plot lines out there that have been executed poorly can be done very well. We just get so used to seeing the same thing done badly over and over, it starts to seem like it's the premise that is a problem, rather than the writing.

An example, off the top of my head - A writer on FFnet recently asked for story ideas using the plot of either Ponyboy or Darry dying. It wasn't much to go by, but one reviewer made a general comment along the lines of either choice was terrible and would amount to literary failure. I disagree. While that one writer might not have been able to pull it off, and she might not have had any other reason for killing off the character than to get an emotional response from the reader, there have been writers in the past who did a great job with the subject of a canon character's death:

printandpolish's Going Home Again (and its even got a sister! ):
www.fanfiction.net/s/2615396/1/Going_Home_Again

Okay, there's another one that I thought was on my favorites list, but it's not there. Maybe it was taken down. But anyway, you get the idea. I think anything is possible in the right hands.

[murderofcrows]

definitely depends on the author. rape is a difficult subject to deal with, it's not something that should be dealt with lightly, but with a good beta, it can be done. [even by a soc... maybe in a not-so-public place...like on a date, like you suggested]

[ash]

To tell you the truth if done to lightly and it goes into very shocking, over done detail. I'm probaly not going to read it anymore.

[Tensleep]

I'm pretty critical on the subject - probably why I didn't comment when this was posted so long ago.

I just don't read these stories. They never portray the seriousness of it, and rape is no joke. Plus, with so many OCs being in the 14-17 age range, it's all rape of minors, and I just don't even like to think about ruining a character that young, let alone read it.

Hopelesslydevoted said it best. The Socs were the bad guys in the novel, but they're social figures. Beating up kids no one cares about is one thing. Sexually assaulting a girl is another. Not saying it didn't happen, but male greasers were probably more common for this, especially with the stereotype they fit into in this world (JD, hood, noaccount...)

Liz is right, too. Rape in fan fiction is very often used to bring in an OC and the author often skips all the fall out. In an ideal world, yeah. In fan fiction, apparently. But I find it lacking the dose of reality that makes it credible.

So in short, I think a seasoned writer could make it work, but if it's a sloppy joke, just don't post it.

On a lighter note, 2005 was big for these stories in our section over at ff.net. I introduced a male sibling that year and remember reading a review asking if I was going to have him raped in lieu of a sister. Sadly, I chuckled. But it gives you an idea about how many were floating around at the time.

[ash]

That is just...sick . Why would you ask "is your character going to be raped?" I feel sorry for the person that had THAT horrible thing happen to them then have everybody treat it like it's nothing.

[murderofcrows]

people don't understand what it does to you, both physically and mentally. they just don't get it.

me, i unfortunately have personal experience with it, so all of that fluffy rape stuff just disgusts me because it's all put so lightly. where's the post traumatic stress disorder? the panic attacks? the anxiety?

i guess it also puts me into a position where i can write it well, because i know what is realistic and what isn't.

to be quite honest, "soc" or "grease" has NOTHING to do with a tendency to rape. rapists come from ALL walks of life, ALL social levels. their social class has NOTHING to do with the fact that they can be a rapist. also, just because someone is already a criminal, or a "no-account hood", does NOT make them more likely to rape. in prisons, sexual offenders have to be separated from regular offenders, because the regular offenders would either kill or seriously beat the living shit out of them. i really shouldn't have to elaborate that last statement, i'm sure you can draw your own conclusion.

[ash]

Amen!! I'm sorry that happened to you and I didn't know that other prisoners would kill the sexual offenders if given a chance.

[murderofcrows]

it's strange, i know...it's like "honor among thieves" or something like that. you could kill a man and you're fine, but you rape a woman or a child and you're screwed. *shrug* no one ever said it makes sense but, like ponyboy once said, "it just is"

that's also why i volunteer for pervertedjustice.com, to prevent it from happening to someone else.

[missmouse]

Jul 27, 2008 21:56:55 GMT -5 murderofcrows said:

where's the post traumatic stress disorder? the panic attacks? the anxiety?

Don't take me wrong here, I'm not saying that they shouldn't portray this side of it, and I'm definitely not saying that they should have the typical story of 'Yay, I was raped yesterday and I'm just peachy today because Darry hugged me <333' or anything.

BUT! I'm not going to say, either, that they necessarily have to write the PTS, and panick attacks. Not everyone who goes through the ordeal suffers from that immediately (although most do have anxiety...) It can take years and years for panic attacks, PTS, etc. to appear. It's not unheard of for girls to start only feeling panicked years afterwards, and to act like they're just peachy.


On a similar but slightly different note... Has anyone read a story where the rape plot was written from a different POV? I don't mean the er, raper, but a friend, brother, parents, etc.?

[murderofcrows]

true, it doesn't always manifest right away, if it doesn't the person is usually in denial, trying to forget that it ever happened. but, it's also important to remember that ptsd doesn't just involve panic attacks and outbursts, there are many manifestations of symptoms

good information here: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000925.htm

regarding your question...i'm sure i have but i can't think of any right off the top of my head

[murderofcrows]

i just found this page, rather randomly, it's a bit more concise and user-friendly than the link i previously posted:

www.hopeforhealing.org/ptsd.html

*edited to add link...brilliant there, moc!*

[paisley51090]

I agree, a lot of the rape fanfics i read don't seem realistic as far as characters go. I mean, it'd be more realistic if the rape wasn't in a public place and it took the character a long time to atleast start feeling better. I also think new writers shouldn't be writing about something so serious due to lack of experience. I think they should stick to what they know for the time being. There's plenty of time for them to write about more serious matters. There's so many other things they can write about, the list is endless. The plot doesn't have to be so complicated or overused.

To answer your final question, yes, i think this plot is acceptable when it's done right, and preferably someone who's had experience (either experience with the subject matter or writting experience.)

[ash]

(Gives you crown of reason .) Very good points. They could also try fade to black thats strongly suggested. Ex: "He came closer and the last thing I saw, was the cross on his necklace." Hope that was okay.

[greasergirlheart14]

O.o

i'm actually glad I ran into this thread...

because in my Dallas sis-fic/Pony love story I had my OFC be raped (for lack of better wording :S). I feel it was nessacary (sp!) to her character and parts of my story... and I tried to be sensitive (lack of better word..?) and didnt go into very much detail at all.... but I would appreciate help with the scene.

Unfortunatley the scene comes sooo much father on in my story than I have actually written, though I have the chapter written.... if anyone would be willing to view/edit/help me with this scene... msg me and I'll send you it in docx on ff.net?

pls?