Line #8 Literature/Affinity


1	%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
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3	[[quoteright:148:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/affinity-1573228737-L_1573.jpeg]]
4	''Affinity'' is a novel by British author Creator/SarahWaters, first published in 1999. It explores a dark period in the lonely life of Margaret Prior, a youngish spinster from a wealthy English family. Margaret begins visiting a women's prison as a means of escaping her own ennui and in the hopes of being a positive role model for the inmates. There she meets a young prisoner, Selina, with whom she becomes infatuated. But it is unclear what the mysterious inmate's motives are...
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6	A [[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1116182/ film adaptation]] followed in 2008.
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8	!!Examples:
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10	%%* AdaptationalAttractiveness: Margaret.
11	* AnachronicOrder: In the book, entries from Margaret's diary are mixed with entries from Selina's; the latter predate the former by about two years.
12	%%* {{Angst}}
13	%%* BatmanGambit: [[spoiler:Selina and Ruth]] run one.
14	%%* BitchInSheepsClothing: Again, both [[spoiler:Selina and Ruth Vigers.]]
15	* ButchLesbian: [[spoiler:Ruth Vigers, who successfully passes herself off as Selina's male spirit guide in order to seduce and/or sexually abuse young girls at seances. This also qualifies her as a variant on the PsychoLesbian trope - Waters (obviously) isn't arguing that lesbianism is evil, but this particular lesbian definitely comes across that way.]]
16	* CanonForeigner: Margaret's fiancé only exists in the adaptation.
17	%%* DarkAndTroubledPast: Most of the characters in the story.
18	%%* TheDitz: Pris, Margaret's sister.
19	* DrivenToSuicide: A year before the novel begins, Margaret attempts a fatal overdose of sleeping medicine after learning that her female lover is planning on marrying her (Margaret's) brother. [[spoiler:Margaret's narrative ends with her about to attempt suicide again after she learns that Selina has betrayed and deceived her. This second attempt is implied to be successful.]]
20	%%* EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette: Margaret is one.
21	%%* TheFarmerAndTheViper: Mrs Jelf's kindness is wasted on [[spoiler:Selina.]]
22	* {{Gayngst}}: The primary source of Margaret's depression is over her homosexuality, following her ex-lover's marriage to Margaret's own brother.
23	%%* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: Selina. [[spoiler:Or so it seems. Eventually subverted.]]
24	* HeroicBSOD: Margaret has this reaction when [[spoiler:she learns that Selina's been [[UsingYouAllAlong Using Her All Along]].]]
25	%%* MyBelovedSmother: Mrs Prior towards Margaret; not so much towards her other children.
26	* OldMaid: Margaret, who is twenty-nine, is considered past her prime for marriage.
27	* PsychicPowers: Selina works as a psychic medium, and claims to commune with [[OurGhostsAreDifferent spirits]].
28	* QueerRomance: There are romances between Margaret and Selina and Margaret and Helen. [[spoiler:Also Selina and Ruth, and (depending on your interpretation) Selina and Mrs Jelf]].
29	%%* TheReveal: "Selina's maid, Ruth Vigers".
30	* SpookySeance: Selina works as a spirit medium before being sent to Millbank.
31	* StalkerWithACrush: Margaret realizes she's become this when she tries to steal Selina's hair and is struck by the sudden understanding of how creepy it actually is.
32	%%* UnwittingPawn: Margaret and Mrs Jelf.
33	%%* VictorianLondon

Context Literature / Affinity