No Sympathy for Elizabeth
Jul. 24th, 2006 06:23 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
qosI cross-posted my Norrington fic over at ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
_norrington, where it's been getting some positive feedback. I know it's the particular audience, but there's not a lot of sympathy for Elizabeth over there, especially on the subject of how she promised Norrington she would marry him if he rescued Will, and then reneged.
I empathize with that position. On the other hand, Norrington was a bit of a fool to accept her bargain in the first place. Someone who offers marriage as a reward for saving their beloved is likely to either find some reason not to go through with the marriage, or not be someone you want as a spouse.
There have been several requests for "more" from the group, so I will continue with the story. An eager audience can be an effective muse.
_norrington, where it's been getting some positive feedback. I know it's the particular audience, but there's not a lot of sympathy for Elizabeth over there, especially on the subject of how she promised Norrington she would marry him if he rescued Will, and then reneged.I empathize with that position. On the other hand, Norrington was a bit of a fool to accept her bargain in the first place. Someone who offers marriage as a reward for saving their beloved is likely to either find some reason not to go through with the marriage, or not be someone you want as a spouse.
There have been several requests for "more" from the group, so I will continue with the story. An eager audience can be an effective muse.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-24 03:34 pm (UTC)I can't fully speak to the Elizabeth resentment over there... but I have to say that the complexities of stepping into a fantastic, powerful female character, then experiencing her in a submissive role, is very alluring. How much of that is a desire to be "punished" for admiring/wanting to be a strong woman, and how much is a deeper understanding of the paradox of owning one's power enough to truly give it away, I couldn't tell you.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-07-24 11:53 pm (UTC)As for the rest. . . I'll be interested to find out what your opinion is after seeing the second movie. It made a big impact in how I felt about Elizabeth, and it shows Norrington in a new perspective as well, so even though my story doesn't have spoilers, it is informed by DMC.
I'm not the kind of woman who is interested in seeing myself or other women 'punished' for being strong and complex. If anything, my story is about Elizabeth reaping the consquences of being impulsive, short-sighted, and emotionally confused. I'm not saying that she deserves what I have Norrington doing to her, but I think that there is a very simple -- even primitive -- emotional cause-and-effect at work.
Also, although this may be splitting hairs semantically (one of my favorite hobbies!), I don't consider the Elizabeth in my story to be 'submissive.' She's a prisoner, and helpless at the moment, but to me submission is about surrender to the will of another (voluntarily or under duress). This Elizabeth has not surrendered.
And I don't know yet if she's going to.
In any case, I appreciate the thoughtful feedback, and look forward to your comments on the new movie!
Boo, Hiss.
Date: 2006-07-25 05:11 am (UTC)Re: Boo, Hiss.
Date: 2006-07-25 12:57 pm (UTC)I knew you'd probably take exception to my comments.
Agreeing to disagree is definitely the best choice in this case.
We'll see what we both think after #3.
And I'm definitely interested in any comments or feedback you have on the fic.
Speaking of which: did you ever have a chance to read the "Marriage Morning" piece I sent home with you and