Paper 2

Kady Newman

Professor Bill Condon

17 March 2015

Paper Two

50 Shades of Grey Areas

How we think about rape, can be proclaimed in many different ways. In fact, it is safe to say that we think about it in 50 or more different ways. Yet, where does the Kairos of rape come from? How is it created? Most importantly, why do certain situations call for different calls to action? There are subtleties in our culture of what is considered acceptable, or not. Of course, every one person stands on their own line, and holds their own specific beliefs. This is what makes rape and the culture around it so hard to decipher. In other words, there are many grey areas involved in the way our society thinks of rape, and how they decide to react to it.

In our present society today, the Kairos surrounding rape has been ever-changing due to risque’ literature and movies. The book and film, “50 Shades of Grey”, by E.L. James is an example of the evolving branch of culture surrounding implied date rape. This form of abuse depicted in 50 Shades, is no longer about violent acts of rape, but subtle implied acts, which push the boundaries of rape altogether. The underlying themes of sex, rape, and abuse in this book and film are romanticized in such a way that deflects the idea of rape. However, what makes this type of story “OK” to readers and our current society, when compared to other real cases of rape and abuse? Why does society allow these types of underlying themes to dominate the box office. Furthermore, do the differences in which rape comes about change the Kairos of rape altogether?  

Dissecting "50 Shades of Grey", was quite an eye opener to myself. For one, I read the book a few years ago but did not think twice about it until the movie recently came out. I understand there is a difference between date rape and violent rape. However, the act of rape is always violent, and an act of dominance. The ways in which rape can come about can vary, and it seems to make a difference in our society. The different ways in which rape can come about has led to where the origination of the million ways we tend to think about rape. This is where the different shades and actual areas of grey come about as well. When looking at a book, such as, “50 shades of Grey”, it can also be portrayed in many ways. It may not fit the exact status of “rape”, yet it certainly shares many themes that could very well be considered “rapey”.

I believe our society is to blame, when it comes to the rape cultures we experience. We have glorified rape to make it seem as though it is something else. For example, disguising the book 50 Shades, as a romance changes the Kairos of it. It then becomes a sort of fantasy, by showing a changing of heart in the “abuser”. In the book, the man Christian Grey, starts out as unattainable, due to a secret of his. Suddenly a young and naive girl, Anastasia Steele comes along and puts up with him and his dark secret. Because of this, Anastasia is seen as a “game changer”, and in the process changes him. The many forms of shady behavior from Christian Grey seem to be thrown to the side, because there is consent from his “submissive”. The many forms of dominance, are then seen as acceptable because it has been turned into a romance.  

One cannot simply agree with the underlying themes of rape and abuse, just because the man has changed his ways. Yet, this is the way society has chosen to depict such a story.

Now to the real question, what makes Christian Grey and what he does so appealing? I believe it is his good looks, and status [wealthy, powerful, etc.]. This story is seen as a fantasy and the fact that Christian Grey has all of these things is the excuse for why his behavior is “OK”. If Christian Grey had none of these things, than would his behavior still be seen as acceptable? It is possible that if he had none of these attributes, and lived the opposite life, than he may be seen in a negative manner. If he were not any of these things or even only one of these things would he simply be considered a rapist? I know that Anastasia signs a contract in the story, yet Christian stalks her, trespasses, and forces himself onto her all the same. At one point he actually assaults her. Is this okay?

In this case, the story is somewhat appealing to the audience for reasons such as romance, lust, and money. The other themes of sexual abuse seem to be overlooked because of this. However, if one considered changing the story, by changing the circumstances of the characters, one will see 50 Shades in a much different light. By doing so, one is able to see why such themes are unacceptable. Also, it goes to show how the different ways [and circumstances] of how rape comes about, really can alter the ways in which we think about rape overall. Therefore, what would it even take to disrupt the themes and Kairos of 50 Shades? More importantly, what would it mean in order to do so? Well, it would certainly change the narrative and story of a situation [or in this case a story].

“50 Shades of Grey”, is an “erotic fantasy”, yet what if the story was different? What if Christian continued his same exact behavior, but had no glorious assets to back him up. Well, he would most likely be considered a sexual offender or an abuser. There may be a romance between the two, yet his other behaviors would no longer be overlooked. Most likely, Anastasia would choose not to stay with him because there is no longer a larger appeal to his character. Once again, what if the character of Christian Grey and his assets stayed the same, but the story differed? What if Anastasia was the dominant figure in 50 shades, rather than Christian? Would this story be considered less "rapey" and more acceptable? The answer is probably. This would change the power dynamics, which if they were more evenly distributed in this story, than Anastasia may have just as much power as Christian. The idea of complete and total authority over the women in the story would cease to exist. This would make the story much more “normal”, in contrast to a fantasy. However, the story would not be as controversial and the themes of rape and abuse would not exist either. Which story would society prefer? The original 50 Shades, the 50 Shades in which Christian has no money and power, or the 50 Shades that contains equal rights and less racey themes. The answer would probably remain with the original, “50 Shades of Grey” by E.L. James. There are a million different ways in which rape can come about, and how society chooses to look upon it. Yet, our rape culture has also picked up on this and can disguise a story such as this one to contain themes of rape, yet cannot actually call it by it’s name; rape.

I wish I could say that the different ways in which rape comes about, has nothing to do with a changing idea of Kairos. However, in our society today it is clear that this has everything to do with it. In our culture, there are degrees as to what is considered right and wrong. This scale is completely skewed and flawed because our culture seems to glorify sex, wealth, power, etc. Because there are so many grey areas surrounding rape altogether, it is hard to spot the exact points between what is considered rape, and what is not. Our culture does not seem to know when a line is being crossed or not, because of this. That is why “50 Shades of Grey”, may be seen as a romance to one, and a tale of abuse to another. In our society, it is important to understand that stories like these are not to be taken literally, and that if this was a real life situation than one should feel condemned to report this type of activity to the police. The one thing our society can really do to combat rape culture is just that: decipher what would or would not be “OK” in real life, and make your own call to action based on your own conclusion.  

Works Cited:

James, E. L. Fifty Shades of Grey. England: Windsor/Paragon, 2011. Print.