My client Dana Cameron has a terrific story in Boston Noir called Femme Sole. It was pubbed last month and as part of the promotion and marketing Dana's been out at several events talking about her story.
She's been getting some interesting questions that she details over at her post at Femmes Fatale today.
I was very struck by this line late in the post: “It's just that good female rage. Everyone's afraid of it.”
I agree. I think people are afraid of angry women because it triggers a primal fear: angry mothers can kill us.
It's the reverse side of the old cliche: don't get between a mother and her children.
I think we're hard wired to be afraid of this kind of anger; it makes survival sense.
Which brings up an interesting question: how do we deal with this fear in books? I'm always interested in the other side of cliches but I'm not sure I can think of a novel right now that explores rage. Maybe I just haven't read widely enough.
Any suggestions?
18 comments:
How do I deal with this fear in books? Well, as a reader, I thoroughly enjoy it. Not in some sociopathic kind of way, though those closest to me might beg to differ. But because it is in fact a primal instinct, and I find it most educational to see how the writer has portrayed it.
That said, as I writer, I love to use it. I use extensively in my current novel. Not just the fear, but the outcome of the prolonged coexistence with said fear. I find it molds people (and characters) in ways that defy the nature vs nurture debate that plagues the many schools of thought.
Am I twisted for delving into these subjects? Probably. Is maternal fear fascinating? Hell yeah.
My brain immediately went to When Sophie Gets Angry...Really, Really Angry.
Oh, that's a good question. But in some ways, the issue all by itself is so powerful, it becomes more of an archetype than a modern story. (What else do you think all those wicked witch stories are about in fairy tales?)
Of hand, I can think of more movies that use it than book. Jealous woman stories are about this. Even things like "Psycho" go back to the fear involved.
Jamaica Kincaid! Jamaica Kincaid! Jamaica Kincaid!
It's been interesting to see how many of our readers assume we are male. Although that might also be because we are pretentious.
This: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnDH-RXCptY
Stick around for the 'Wild Women' bit.
I would love to read a good Fem Rage novel by an author who understood sociopathic behavior (not equal) righteous rage.
Janet, I am curious. Do you think this is an untapped theme in the current market?
I dunno. When I started working on my P'd-Off MC, all the women critiques warned that if I pushed the envelope too far, I would risk alienating an otherwise sympathetic MC. Janet seems to be suggesting (I think) that's just what the world needs. Anyway, I just found it interesting that women were sensitive to crossing some line that I couldn't see.
I think Carrie would be the most obvious example of this. Maybe that was such a hit that authors have tended to avoid the theme since.
Yup to Jonas. I'd also include THAT scene in Misery, you know the one I'm talking about. If that isn't a really horrific take on 'Mom knows best' then I don't know what is!
I don't think I've read a female writer who has dealt with it, but I bet Lionel Shriver would do a good job.
This is a provocative and layered question.
My immediate thoughts go to Tiger Woods and Elin. So many in the media are making fun of Elin smashing the rear window. I feel like the only one who doesn't think this is funny. She's got a lot to lose. With a high-profile marriage like that, I'm sure their lives are all about him. It's a huge betrayal, and her reaction was "female rage." But I think society wants to put a different frame around it (ie make it humorous) because otherwise it's just too uncomfortable.
I'm wondering if "female rage" could be handled/received by a wider audience in a YA book, where the female character doesn't have to worry about the husband/kids etc. Maybe the frame would be around "teenage anxiety," but still, the exploration might be more raw and honest.
Interesting post...
Chris' comment made me think of the YA I recently read, Jay Asher's THIRTEEN REASONS WHY. The MC is already dead when the novel opens, having turned her rage inward and killed herself, but the walk through her thirteen reasons why reveal a tremendous amount of rage she can't express until after her death. And it is "female rage" over an undeserved bad reputation.
Interesting topic. I think we females are taught to sublimate our rage, and when it does inevitably seep out, society is shocked.
I'm what you would call a lurker but this post has inspired me out of my corner. The best novel I've ever read that explores female rage is THE WOMEN'S ROOM by Marilyn French. In fact, I would make it required reading for high school seniors. Generation RX needs Marilyn French's poignant novel.
Mine. When it's finished.
"angry mothers can kill us". This is awesome. I find it really inspirational, makes me want to write a short story out of it. Thanks!
Medea comes to mind, no?
I went to a women's college, where pretty much the first thing I learned is that female rage is terrifying, impressive, and usually gets the job done...
So interesting you should mention this. I recently submitted a full manuscript to an agent at your very own Fine Print, who rejected my manuscript (with lots of helpful advice that I'm grateful for), and told me my female protagonist was too harsh and selfish.
It must be a very fine line to create a female protagonist who can explore her rage without offending. I've done a full revision since the agent's advice, attempting to soften the protagonist's anger. It seems like maybe that's the only way I can sell the book.
This may sound strange, but I feel sort of like I've betrayed my own protagonist. (LOL!)
I must reiterate, though. I was very grateful for feedback. That's hard to come by, when agents are so bogged down with their general duties.
The Iliad is about Rage.
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