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#female agency
Nora Darhk Deserved Better: A Trainwreck of Female Agency
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As a child, Nora Darhk was possessed by a demon, and her father sent her to be raised by a cult where she was trained to be a demon vessel. Her magic, her mind, her body — all being used in someone else’s service, at someone else’s whim. Her autonomy was taken from her at a young age.
Then by the end of season three, Nora isn’t a demon vessel anymore. She’s finally free — free to figure out who she is without a controlling father or being possessed by a demon. That includes figuring out how to reclaim her magic and use it in the ways she wants to. Season four starts to explore this… and then Nora is tricked into becoming a fairy godmother. The key point here is that fairy godmothers’ magic can only be used at someone else’s command. So, basically, Nora had been denied magical autonomy since childhood, and then the demon is removed from her life and she can begin her journey of reclaiming her autonomy (which is an incredibly symbolic journey for abuse survivors and women in general), and then that journey is cut short and her autonomy is taken away again as a fairy godmother. The worst part is that Nora becoming a fairy godmother is used for comedy, with absolutely no acknowledgment of her trauma. Essentially, now her lack of agency is played as a joke.
Granted, season five shows Nora coming to accept her new role and finding joy and meaning in it. That’s all well and good, but the problem is that the decision to cut her character development short and once again remove her autonomy was made in the first place. It also effectively prevented Nora from actually becoming one of the Legends and living on the Waverider with them because she had to be out “doing her job” as a fairy godmother. That also set up Nora and Ray leaving the show.
From a narrative standpoint, the choice to make Nora a fairy godmother was a terrible one. She’s an amazing character, and she deserved to be treated better by the writers.
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HOTD: Season 1 - Thoughts (part. III)
So, the entirety of the Dance is being rewritten as the victimhood of agentless women under the heel of conniving, violent and/or brutal men; a tale of two deeply in love women, who might have in different times been wives, led astray by mere misunderstandings, and the domination and plotting of the men around them.
In making the war a morality tale of the dangers of patriarchy, Rhaenyra and Alicent are robbed of any moral culpability - and thus, also, any agency. 
This is not a grey conflict as presented in the novel, a conflict of two ambitious, ruthless and determined women who led the men around them, morally complex women of strong character. 
This is not a tale of a civil war fought amongst family for power by both ambitious and morally complex women and brutal by morally complex men.
It is a war of literal misunderstanding purely brought about by a dying man’s misunderstood words and the machinations of morally wicked men.
Alicent and Rhaenyra are ultimately good women either manipulated or assaulted or bullied or gaslighted into conflict with one another. 
They are not in any way ruthless nor in any way of ambition. 
Alicent wishes to spare Rhaenyra’s life against the wishes of her male dominated council, and against the manipulations of her father, out of the love she has for her.
Rhaenyra wishes to deny her birthright and her duty to the realm out of her love for Alicent but is pushed, cajoled and assaulted into the conflict by Daemon and the murderous actions of Aemond.
This not a civil war fought by strong female characters. 
It is a war waged on women by the egos of men with the realm as collateral damage.
So much for female agency.
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stelly38 · 2 years
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I have a question, and I’m totally serious about this, and I wonder what others think.  
I watch smut on video (think of that other word people use for this, which I can’t write here because it is verboten).  There is one thing that bothers me about a good amount of the material I see:  The use of these words:  s*ut, (word for a promiscuous woman), and used.  
Let me put them into the context in which they bother me:
“Should I continue teasing her, or f**k her like a sl*t?”  And: “She got used.”
I don’t watch any of the scripted videos, so I’m assuming that what I’m seeing is happening more or less organically (of course, they’re shooting a video, and the presence of a camera changes everything, etc etc.).
The reason these phrases bother me is because the language and the context in which it is used strips agency away from the woman, as though she’s not there, enjoying the act that she arguably just took part in, even if her part was to receive.  Why is she a s*ut if the act is consensual, and she’s enjoying it?
Do men do this unintentionally, or is the patriarchy that deeply ingrained into every facet of our lives?  
The weird thing about it is that the bulk of these videos show, ostensibly, consensual female pleasure: the man acts, the woman receives, climaxes are had, everyone is happy.  Hell, one guy who makes these videos has branded himself--and travels the world--as a sort of squirting-climax-guru/manual stimulation expert (I don’t know for sure if he’s paid by his clientele, but I can’t imagine he’s not), and HE’S one of the men who describe his clients as having been “used.”  Really?  She’s the one having multiple Os, and she probably PAID him to give them to her.  
Do men say this sort of thing because they assume their audience is all male and heterosexual?  
I don’t see this in lesbian videos, which doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist in that world.  And I also know that many folks of all genders get turned on by dirty talk, being called “s*ut” etc.  But the problematic use of these phrases is not during the video--it is found mostly in the in-site advertising for the video, or in the short written description that accompanies the video; sometimes it appears as little headers that have been inserted INTO the actual video, and they pop up at the beginning or end.  Is this marketing done by the videographer, or by the parent website?--I suspect it’s the videographer.  Who the person is that’s adding the descriptors would make a difference, I guess.  Maybe not. 
Thoughts?  And please message me if you don’t want to comment below.
Photo of attractive man to get your attention.  
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blueheartbooks · 21 days
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Sense and Sensibility: A Delicate Tapestry of Love and Society
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Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" weaves a captivating tale of love, resilience, and societal expectations in early 19th-century England. Published in 1811, this timeless classic follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the challenges of life, love, and loss in a society governed by strict social conventions.
At the heart of "Sense and Sensibility" are the contrasting personalities of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Elinor, the epitome of sense, embodies rationality, propriety, and self-control, while Marianne, the embodiment of sensibility, is characterized by her passionate nature, emotional intensity, and romantic idealism. Austen masterfully explores the tension between these two opposing qualities, highlighting the virtues and pitfalls of each as the sisters navigate the complexities of romantic entanglements and societal expectations.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Sense and Sensibility" is Austen's incisive portrayal of the constraints and expectations placed upon women in Regency-era England. Through the experiences of the Dashwood sisters, Austen illuminates the limited options available to women of their social standing, whose futures are largely determined by their ability to make advantageous marriages. As Elinor and Marianne grapple with the pressures of propriety and the dictates of their hearts, Austen offers a poignant commentary on the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society.
Moreover, "Sense and Sensibility" is celebrated for its richly drawn characters, sparkling dialogue, and subtle humor. From the affable and pragmatic Colonel Brandon to the dashing but duplicitous John Willoughby, Austen populates her novel with a cast of memorable characters whose foibles and follies add depth and texture to the narrative. Austen's keen observations of human nature and her sharp wit are on full display as she deftly skewers the hypocrisies and vanities of her characters with a gentle but incisive touch.
In addition to its exploration of love and society, "Sense and Sensibility" is notable for its enduring themes of resilience, sisterhood, and female agency. Despite the setbacks and disappointments they face, Elinor and Marianne demonstrate remarkable strength and resilience as they navigate the complexities of their circumstances and strive to carve out their own paths in life. Austen's celebration of sisterhood and female solidarity resonates with readers of all ages, offering a timeless message of hope and empowerment.
In conclusion, "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its richly drawn characters, incisive social commentary, and poignant exploration of love and sisterhood. Austen's masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human heart make "Sense and Sensibility" a compelling and deeply resonant read that speaks to the universal truths of the human experience. With its enduring relevance and timeless appeal, "Sense and Sensibility" remains a beloved masterpiece of English literature.
Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" is available in Amazon in paperback 18.99$ and hardcover 25.99$ editions.
Number of pages: 478
Language: English
Rating: 8/10                                           
Link of the book!
Review By: King's Cat
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blueheartbookclub · 21 days
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Sense and Sensibility: A Delicate Tapestry of Love and Society
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Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" weaves a captivating tale of love, resilience, and societal expectations in early 19th-century England. Published in 1811, this timeless classic follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the challenges of life, love, and loss in a society governed by strict social conventions.
At the heart of "Sense and Sensibility" are the contrasting personalities of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood. Elinor, the epitome of sense, embodies rationality, propriety, and self-control, while Marianne, the embodiment of sensibility, is characterized by her passionate nature, emotional intensity, and romantic idealism. Austen masterfully explores the tension between these two opposing qualities, highlighting the virtues and pitfalls of each as the sisters navigate the complexities of romantic entanglements and societal expectations.
One of the most compelling aspects of "Sense and Sensibility" is Austen's incisive portrayal of the constraints and expectations placed upon women in Regency-era England. Through the experiences of the Dashwood sisters, Austen illuminates the limited options available to women of their social standing, whose futures are largely determined by their ability to make advantageous marriages. As Elinor and Marianne grapple with the pressures of propriety and the dictates of their hearts, Austen offers a poignant commentary on the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society.
Moreover, "Sense and Sensibility" is celebrated for its richly drawn characters, sparkling dialogue, and subtle humor. From the affable and pragmatic Colonel Brandon to the dashing but duplicitous John Willoughby, Austen populates her novel with a cast of memorable characters whose foibles and follies add depth and texture to the narrative. Austen's keen observations of human nature and her sharp wit are on full display as she deftly skewers the hypocrisies and vanities of her characters with a gentle but incisive touch.
In addition to its exploration of love and society, "Sense and Sensibility" is notable for its enduring themes of resilience, sisterhood, and female agency. Despite the setbacks and disappointments they face, Elinor and Marianne demonstrate remarkable strength and resilience as they navigate the complexities of their circumstances and strive to carve out their own paths in life. Austen's celebration of sisterhood and female solidarity resonates with readers of all ages, offering a timeless message of hope and empowerment.
In conclusion, "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers with its richly drawn characters, incisive social commentary, and poignant exploration of love and sisterhood. Austen's masterful storytelling and keen insight into the human heart make "Sense and Sensibility" a compelling and deeply resonant read that speaks to the universal truths of the human experience. With its enduring relevance and timeless appeal, "Sense and Sensibility" remains a beloved masterpiece of English literature.
Jane Austen's "Sense and Sensibility" is available in Amazon in paperback 18.99$ and hardcover 25.99$ editions.
Number of pages: 478
Language: English
Rating: 8/10                                           
Link of the book!
Review By: King's Cat
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samw3000 · 2 months
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Archetype Agency
I am Lover. Maiden. Huntress. SageAt every turn, subverting the male gazeIdentify with me insteadThe one being ...VictimizedSexualizedDehumanizedRacialized by the colonyYou will no longer Display meTo suit theHeterosexualManly malePatriarchy I refuse to beScantily cladIgnorant to The power of my sexualityInnocent or child-likeUnless that is who I want to beYou seeFeminism affords meIt makes me…
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jewishcissiekj · 8 months
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Reading The Art of Revenge of the Sith and
Um what
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Why would you leave any of this out
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writingwithfolklore · 1 month
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Do well by your female characters
              Back in film school you wouldn't believe the amount of scripts I read from my (mostly male) classmates that featured the same character; a kind, helpful woman reflective of the male protagonist who showed up when he needed her to offer warm words and support, allowing him to overcome obstacles and go for what he needs.
              I hope she doesn’t sound familiar to you.
              One of them was a coworker, another a train station attendant, another the best friend who lived next door—it didn’t matter, they were all the same character, uninvolved in their own lives, created to help a man get to his goal. Let’s be wary of this trope, and stop robbing our female characters of their own agency. We can do this in a few ways:
1. They aren’t convenient
One confusing fault of the female characters I read in my peers’ scripts was that she was always around right where the protagonist needed her to be. It didn’t matter if he was having a crisis in the alleyway, or by the museum, or in his own house, she’d show up like she’d been summoned.
She needed a place to be—a life outside of him. A job, school, hobbies. Sometimes when he needs her—she shouldn’t be there.
2. They have an actual personality
While being warm, kind, supportive, and empathetic are all admirable traits people do have, I’ve never met a real person where that’s all they were. Like building any character, she needs flaws, interests, something to her that isn’t just for other people’s benefit. Consider what traits she has that aren’t just ways she serves others.
Allow her something just for her. Something selfish.
3. They have and work towards a goal
Related to her not being convenient—she’s got her own thing going on. Like any other character, she has goals and objectives, motivations, something to work towards. As much as she supports the protagonist, she also takes from him to fulfill her own goal.
Give her wins, disappointments, a little something going on. Something to gain from her interactions with him.
              What else bothers you about common female character tropes? Or what did I miss?
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sarcastic-clapping · 2 years
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already seeing people who clearly don’t understand that a lot of us who are upset about what happened to marwa in this episode aren’t upset about the characters’ in-universe morality but the real life misogyny and racism in the way that this plot was handled lol
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shorthaltsjester · 7 months
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free my complex female character, she did the same thing as complex male characters but the fandom takes Any analysis of her actions/choices/motivations that doesn’t strip her of all of her agency in bad faith and claims that only misogynists would dare to critique the things that they’ve noticed in her character because she’s a woman, completely ignoring the over-presence of discourse about similarly traited male characters in their fandom.
#exhausted by people categorizing CRITIQUE. not even genuine hate just literally basic analysis of imogen’s character#as a) hate at all but b) misogynistic simply because… they assume the person like caleb and percy uncritically like#i love imogen and i love her because she’s riddled with complexity that gives reason for her to be unlikeable#the shit ashton says makes me want to tear out my hair and i could write analysis on why but they’re still one of my favourite characters#i enjoy caleb but watching him infuriated me because of his self interest which is a coherent trait of his but is a tiring one#similarly with percy of love his pretentious Smartest In The Room shit but sometimes it meant he treated others more poorly than necessary#but i’m not unpacking all of that just so i have some fandom mandated right to say that i think there’s an aspect of a female character#that is imperfect in the human sense#because like. i will continue to call imogen’s self interested until the world burns and the moon shatters. because she is.#the only reason her choice to do good is compelling at all is because the choice to do otherwise is so tangible#it isn’t a Mistake or Fault that she’s self interested. it’s by design#like. she reaches towards the storm in curiosity in her sleep. but then she fights back when she’s awake#that’s it#that’s the dynamic. that’s what’s compelling#but no ur right fandom. let’s instead all agree that imogen is actually just intrinsically good#and take away all agency and complexity and humanity from her#and instead slap a sticker of Morally Good and enjoy the caricature of her where she’s made to fit into the imagine of#the latest aesthetic ad for diarrhoea medication#imogen temult#critical role#inspired as always by dumbass twitter posts that i’m subjected to because of school n work#the worst part is i do like the laudna n imogen dynamic in the stagnancy where it is but so much of that fandom is so clear in their erosion#of both characters actuality to suit the picture of Ship Tropes#like fuckin. so much of imogen’s fanart in imodna making her fat which as a fat person great love to see it#not so much when it’s clearly to make her short n stout against laundas tall n lanky.#anyway
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famwhy · 1 year
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I can’t get enough of the Yandere Dazai content like this is at least the 5th time I’ve read Realisation and Pt2 Headcanons 😍😍😍
Can you imagine Kunikida seeing the relationship and being too nervous to strangle or confront Dazai over it? Or Ranpo knowing and dropping hints to the others to try and get Dazai to back off a bit? Like
Ranpo: hey Yosano, don’t you think Y/N is better with _______ than Dazai?
Yosano: *agrees in protective aunt figure
Dazai: *realizes what’s going on and tries stopping it without Y/N noticing
Haha, thanks so much for the support you give me ❤
I really love this ask, it gave me instant inspo.
I also ended up spending a little too much time on Ranpo. Oops. He's my favourite, I can't help it.
(These headcanons are related to this post.)
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♧ When you and Dazai first arrived to the ADA, you were a total mystery to all the members.
♧ The only thing they knew about you two was that Dazai was your mentor before joining them.
♧ Well, that's all everyone but Ranpo and the Director knew.
♧ The Director had to know of your past to give you approval to join the agency in the first place, so that was a given.
♧ Ranpo though?
♧ Well, he knew at first glance of course.
♧ He was (no, is) the greatest detective known to man, after all.
♧ He also knew about your little relationship with Dazai...
♧ It was... a cause for concern, to say the least.
♧ However, the detective decided to give Dazai a chance to redeem himself, he had turned over a new leaf after all...
♧ ...except that- no; no he didn't turn over a new leaf.
♧ He continued being forceful with you, feeding you with so much unwanted affection that you would burst from the seems.
♧ He, by no means, made it obscure that he had some sort of relationship with you that didn't lean towards platonic.
♧ How else was he supposed to lay claim on you with such a new threat to his place?
♧ You see, the Agency members slowly grew more fond of you as time went by.
♧ You would always help Kunikida with organising his schedules whenever Dazai ruined them again.
♧ You would go on a supply run for medications Yosano asked you to get and sweets Ranpo desired almost 24/7.
♧ You would also go out with the siblings and Kenji whenever you found the time to.
♧ A total sweetheart.
♧ Unfortunately for Dazai, that meant many inconveniences.
♧ Unlike the Port Mafia members, the ADA members don't know how to mind their own business.
♧ Ranpo was always tugging on you whenever you had some alone time with the brown-haired male, demanding you for your attention and even going as far as to ask for cuddles.
♧ Cuddles!
♧ Who the hell does he think he is?! Your boyfriend?!
♧ HE'S NOT!
♧ DAZAI IS!
♧ And damn does it boil his blood when that stupid man-child goes up to his equally-as-stupid best friend and asks her that same damn stupid question.
♧ "Hey Yosano, wouldn't Y/N make a better match with me than Dazai?"
♧ Like hell you would!
♧ It's so goddamn annoying not being able to strangle members of your Agency.
♧ Don't even get him started on that dumb doctor.
♧ Always narrowing her eyes at him when you were nearby, watching him like a hawk and having the audacity to call it being protective over you.
♧ Now, Ranpo noticed the little tics that would overcome Dazai whenever things like these would happen.
♧ The way his teeth would grit when you were approached for a conversation longer than 2 seconds.
♧ The way he would bite the back of his pen in agitation when you would offer to help someone that wasn't him out.
♧ They way he would casually wrap an arm around your waist when someone even thought of tapping you on the shoulder.
♧ It was very concerning behaviour.
♧ As someone with a strong moral compass, he couldn't just sit by and do nothing.
♧ He also couldn't necessarily challenge Dazai face-to-face.
♧ While the ex-mafia member may not have been as smart as him, he certainly beat him in terms of athletic prowess.
♧ Ranpo had to go about this smartly.
♧ Luckily enough, 'smart' was his middle name.
♧ Unluckily though, Dazai wasn't exactly an idiot.
♧ He knew Ranpo was provoking him and trying to get him to lash out so the Director could get him locked up.
♧ He knew.
♧ So he kept quiet.
♧ After all, actions speak louder than words.
♧ All he needed to do was a bit of a tug on your arm towards him and you, being the good girl he trained you to be, instantly returned to him.
♧ All the while, being completely oblivious to what was going on around you.
♧ As always intended.
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silverskye13 · 25 days
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nonbinary helsknight is so funny to me. i think that welsknight was their trans awakening not in a gender envy way but in a “whatever gender this guy is i am Not that one” way
CANON
Helsknight popped into the world and said, "You know what? No, actually." His first decision for himself was gender, his next decision was to fight Wels, the rest is history--
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Based on this prompt by my beloved @puddleslimewrites <3
Hero didn't shrink under Superhero's gaze. They stared back, expression firm. "I know I messed up. But I did what I could to fix it and no one got killed."
"There are three civilians in critical condition in the hospital. You don't know no one got killed yet."
"What else do expect me to do? I did my best to make it right."
"I expect better from a hero of the agency!" Superhero tried not to raise their voice. They and Hero were standing in one of the agency hallways, this argument was far too public.
Hero crossed their arms and glared back at Superhero. "I never even wanted to be a hero! This is what you wanted. I did what you asked of me and look where it got us."
"You mean where you got us. Do you understand how much damage control I'm going to have to do with the press because of this? And with the agency and city officials?"
"Is that all you care about? The mess I made that you have to clean up? Don't you even care how this might be affecting me? Or I don't know, can't you at least be proud of me for taking responsibility and trying to fix it?"
Superhero sighed like they were dealing with a disobedient child that refused to go to bed. "I don't have time to hold your hand right now, I have the agency to deal with."
"Oh my god can you not be Superhero for one fucking minute and just be my mom?"
Superhero pinched the bridge of her nose. "We'll talk about this later. Just go home."
"I'm not a little kid you can just send to my room for timeout anymore. You-"
"[Name], go. home." Superhero shot her child a warning look. Hero held her gaze until she turned and started walking down the hall.
Hero resisted the urge to yell at her as they turned the opposite direction and stormed out.
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mrpsychokiller · 4 months
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tex red vs blue is insanely transgender but im the only one who sees it that way because im crazy in the head.
what if there was a past version of yourself. a woman, a wife, a mother, with long hair and a sweet smile. and she died long ago. and you are her. but you are not her. you're nothing like her, but the people who knew her desperately want you to be her, want to preserve the memory they have in their minds of the woman they loved through you. but you never asked to be her, never asked to carry the burden of someone else's expectation of who or what you should be. you have a new name. you prefer to go by this one. people remark on how weird it is that it's a guy's name. sometimes the people who loved [the past version of] you call you by your old name. they are not referring to you when they say it. you live in the shadows of someone who's long gone, and you're something different now, but you don't feel like you're ever allowed to define yourself on your own terms, to be your own person, to control your own life, because you exist solely through the memories people had of you. and the longer she has been gone for, the more desperately people try to get her back, the less you resemble her and the less you know who you are, or if you ever even got to be anything at all. what i mean is that transition could have saved him
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rayes-rain · 1 month
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Fans who dunk on kataang as a ship because Katara was written flatly post OG series really grind my gears. As if her marrying Aang and having a family with him was the root cause of the LoK writers sidelining her when her peers still got to be way more invloved in the story.
I will be the first to admit that Katara's initial goals and characterization got quite lost post OG series. In a way, she was only reduced to a healer and her accomplishments outside of mothering children with Aang and banning bloodbending are not shared with the audience. For the first season of LoK, I think this is fine. This is not Katara's story anymore and her speech to Korra at the beginning of the season is her passing the torch to the next Avatar to have her own adventures. Katara at that point is basically a nice cameo. We're not supposed to think that this sliver of her life which Korra sees is all that's important about her.
This does not hold water in future seasons when it's revealed that Toph and Zuko are still alive and both have more active roles in the plot, whereas Katara did not have an active role in plot lines she should have been more involved with (water tribe civil war, for example). To some fans, this reduces the little that we do see of Katara's character in LoK to only being those parts, rather than just pieces of a more realized elder from the perspective of someone younger (Korra) who doesn't know her whole story.
The way that people blame her marrying Aang on the way her overall character was handled is so baffling to me. Do these fans honestly think she would have escaped that fate for certain if she had married Zuko or someone else, or stayed single?
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rukafais · 2 months
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Reading pulp fantasy and understanding how it shaped the fantasy genre is extremely fascinating because its like "oh, that's why every Strong Female Character heroine of the 80s-90s fantasy boom was Like That, huh"
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