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The Role Of Sexuality In Margaret Atwood's Rape Fantasies

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When I first opened the short story rape fantasies I was taken aback. Rape fantasies, how could something that controversial even be discussed, let alone in a five page short story? Would I be strumming through pages of narratives women who have a strange addiction to being anxious and terrified, and need to relieve that feeling in some twisted fantasy? Instead I came face to face with a story that discussed two issues which are hardly ever approached in any form of media- sexuality and power- specifically women's sexuality and power. Now you're looking at me strangely, what do you mean it's hardly a topic approached? There are plenty of female characters in current media who flaunt their sexuality and their power. Personally I can think …show more content…

Sexuality isn't just a topic talked about, it's a leeway into a full spectrum of desires, beyond sexuality, and this is all done in a discussion of what each character experiences in their sexual fantasies. Rape Fantasies a short story by Margret Atwood about a woman named Estelle who along with the rest of the Filing employees gets approached by a co-worker Chrissy to discuss her rape fantasies, and to see if anyone agrees with her. Throughout the narrative we get to see just exactly what each of woman wants, by her description of her rape …show more content…

What they imagine is scenario one would see in a porn, someone who is unexpectedly approached with a situation involving sex in a mundane setting. These participants may not be willing at first, but aren't opposed to it when it occurs. It is the direct opposite of what a real rape would be like, relying on intimidating the victim with violence, and forcing them to participate to have sex with someone they find either unattractive or someone they have no desire in having sex with. But Greta’s and Chrissy’s rape fantasy consists of a sexual situation, without them able to protest but to be subjected to sex. They never scream or directly protest in their fantasy, because the rape fantasy is a sexual fantasy. As I’ve outlined already, in the story the rape fantasy is never about the rape, but more of the desire of the individual, manifesting itself in a situation, where the person has to directly confront these desires. Gretta’s and Chrissy’s desires are to be romantically and sexually involved with men, so they are given a space to have

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