Follow TV Tropes

Following

History PlayingWith / HappinessInSlavery

Go To

OR

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* '''Played For Drama''': Bob was brutally broken until he accepted his status as a slave and considered himself unable to be anything else.

to:

* '''Played For Drama''': Drama''':
**
Bob was brutally broken until he accepted his status as a slave and considered himself unable to be anything else.else.
** Carl brainwashes his slaves into his "perfect servants", convinces them that he loves them more than anything, and that they'll never be good enough to be anything more than slaves.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Bob feigns unhappiness because he likes to be flogged.

to:

** [[TooKinkyToTorture Bob feigns unhappiness because he likes to be flogged.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob's life before he was enslaved was even worse than it is now. At least as a slave, he knows he won't starve to death.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob is in fact not a slave at all and it is all a ruse concocted together with his supposed "master" to stay beneath notice.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** The reason why Carl got Bob in the first place was because Carl saw how Bob’s previous owner treated him like absolute garbage and Carl felt sorry for him, so he bought Bob from his cruel master so he could give Bob a better life. Even if Carl can’t free Bob for whatever reason, at least he deliberatly goes out of his way to treat Bob much more nicely than his previous master to ensure that he’s happy.

to:

** The reason why Carl got Bob in the first place was because Carl saw how Bob’s previous owner treated him like absolute garbage and Carl felt sorry for him, so he bought Bob from his cruel master so he could give Bob a better life. Even if Carl can’t free Bob for whatever reason, at least he deliberatly deliberately goes out of his way to treat Bob much more nicely better than his previous master to ensure that he’s happy.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** The reason why Carl got Bob in the first place was because he saw how Bob’s previous owner treated him like absolute garbage and felt sorry for him, so he bought Bob from his cruel master so Bob could have a better life. Even if Carl can’t free Bob for whatever reason, at least he deliberatly goes out of his way to treat Bob much more nicely than his previous master to ensure that he’s happy.

to:

** The reason why Carl got Bob in the first place was because he Carl saw how Bob’s previous owner treated him like absolute garbage and Carl felt sorry for him, so he bought Bob from his cruel master so Bob he could have give Bob a better life. Even if Carl can’t free Bob for whatever reason, at least he deliberatly goes out of his way to treat Bob much more nicely than his previous master to ensure that he’s happy.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** The reason why Carl got Bob in the first place was because he saw how Bob’s previous owner treated him like absolute garbage and felt sorry for him, so he bought Bob from his cruel master so Bob could have a better life. Even if Carl can’t free Bob for whatever reason, at least he deliberatly goes out of his way to treat Bob much more nicely than his previous master to ensure that he’s happy.
** Carl isn’t actually a slave-owner by choice, and he’s actually hates slavery in general. Bob was basically forced on him without his consent (either via some kind of unbreakable MagicallyBindingContract or some other unusual circumstances), and neither him nor Bob had any say in the matter whatsoever. Because of this, Carl feels really guilty about being a slave owner, even an involuntary one, so he goes out of his way to make sure that Bob is treated really well, because he feels responsible for Bob’s well-being.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Dewicking Stockholm Syndrome per TRS


** Bob has developed StockholmSyndrome.



** Bob refuses to be happy until he has his freedom, because he doesn't want StockholmSyndrome setting in.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob is content with being an ExtremeDoormat and having all his choices handled by someone else.

Added: 308

Changed: 397

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Bob and Carl come from a society with [[DeliberateValuesDissonance very different social mores]] and [[BlueAndOrangeMorality morals]]. What seems horrifying and awful to us is relatively normal to them.
** The slave system isn't as oppressive at it seems: despite being bound to work Carl's lands, laws mean that Bob does have some rights and freedoms. It is more akin to feudalism that straight up Atlantic-style chattel slavery.

to:

** Bob and Carl come from a society with [[DeliberateValuesDissonance very different social mores]] and [[BlueAndOrangeMorality morals]]. What seems horrifying and awful to us is relatively normal to them. Their perception of freedom and rights would also be very distinct from what a Westerner thinks.
** While the term "slave" has nasty connotations for us, its meaning is a bit different in Carl's society. While Bob is technically a slave, it could easily be, in practice, some kind of indentured servitude.

** The slave system [[NobleDemon isn't as oppressive at as it seems: seems]]: despite being bound to work Carl's lands, certain laws mean that Bob does have some rights and freedoms. It freedoms despite being technically property. Bob's status is more akin to feudalism that straight up being a feudal peasant than a straight-up Atlantic-style chattel slavery.slave.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob and Carl come from a society with [[DeliberateValuesDissonance very different social mores]] and [[BlueAndOrangeMorality morals]]. What seems horrifying and awful to us is relatively normal to them.
** The slave system isn't as oppressive at it seems: despite being bound to work Carl's lands, laws mean that Bob does have some rights and freedoms. It is more akin to feudalism that straight up Atlantic-style chattel slavery.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Carl doens't ''own'' Bob, but is a BadBoss and gives Bob little freedom. Bob is okay with this.

to:

** Carl doens't doesn't ''own'' Bob, but is a BadBoss and gives Bob little freedom. Bob is okay with this.

Added: 430

Changed: 185

Removed: 22

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* '''Exaggerated''': Bob ''thanks Heavens'' for being MadeASlave. He feels so good, he can't possibly think of a life as a free man.

to:

* '''Exaggerated''': '''Exaggerated''':
**
Bob ''thanks Heavens'' for being MadeASlave. He feels so good, he can't possibly think of a life as a free man.man.
** Bob is very horribly treated, but still loves to be a slave anyway.



* '''Inverted''': Carl is happy to be a slaver.

to:

** Bob's particular line of slavery is something he loves doing.
* '''Inverted''': '''Inverted''':
**
Carl is happy to be a slaver.slaver.
** Bob hates being a slave, even if his treatment isn't all that bad.



* '''Implied''': Bob doesn't get much characterization, but seems pretty happy about being a slave in the few moments he's seen.



%%
%%* '''Implied''': ???

to:

%%
%%* '''Implied''': ???
%%
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob knows that Carl is a fairly good master, but [[SlaveLiberation he's still helping with the OTHER slaves' revolt.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob believes that it's his duty to serve others, so of course he'll carry out that duty for Carl.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob formerly belonged to a cruel master and was treated horribly. Carl bought Bob and treated him decently, knowing that it would make him less likely to rebel or escape.

Added: 228

Changed: 139

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


* '''Invoked''': [[EngineeredHeroics Carl sets up a situation where he gets to save Bob's life]], thus making Bob more willing to repay him by serving him.

to:

* '''Invoked''': '''Invoked''':
**
[[EngineeredHeroics Carl sets up a situation where he gets to save Bob's life]], thus making Bob more willing to repay him by serving him.him.
** Bob has himself sold into slavery to Carl, because that's what he wants out of life.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Bob is being brainwashed by Carl to be happy.

Added: 62

Changed: 19

Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Unlike typical slave masters, [[NiceGuy Carl treats Bob nicely]], therefore Bob develops a positive feeling and devotion to Carl.

to:

** Unlike typical slave masters, [[NiceGuy [[BenevolentBoss Carl treats Bob nicely]], therefore Bob develops a positive feeling and devotion to Carl.


Added DiffLines:

** Bob was born into slavery and can't imagine any other life.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None

Added DiffLines:

** Carl doens't ''own'' Bob, but is a BadBoss and gives Bob little freedom. Bob is okay with this.


Added DiffLines:

** Bob was ConditionedToAcceptHorror.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
fixed a wick for a split trope


* '''Played For Laughs''': Bob is [[WalkingDisasterArea disaster prone]] and so willing to serve Carl that he won't listen even when he yells StopHelpingMe. HilarityEnsues.

to:

* '''Played For Laughs''': Bob is [[WalkingDisasterArea disaster prone]] and so willing to serve Carl that he won't listen even when he yells StopHelpingMe.[[UnwantedAssistance Stop Helping Me!]]. HilarityEnsues.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


** Bob would be murdered [[AFateWorseThanDeath or worse]] if he fought his slave status. Carl, while technically his owner, is actually an abolitionist and they are allies, waiting for the opportunity to free Bob.

to:

** Bob would be murdered [[AFateWorseThanDeath [[FateWorseThanDeath or worse]] if he fought his slave status. Carl, while technically his owner, is actually an abolitionist and they are allies, waiting for the opportunity to free Bob.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Reconstruction is not double subvesion.


* '''Deconstructed''': Carl begins to take Bob's willing service for granted and starts bossing him around, thus ruining their relationship.
* '''Reconstructed''': ...Until Carl has a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment and apologizes to Bob, thus restoring the status quo.

to:

* '''Deconstructed''': Carl begins to take takes Bob's willing service for granted and starts bossing him around, thus ruining their relationship.
relationship and making the service less willing.
* '''Reconstructed''': ...Until '''Reconstructed''': Carl has a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment and apologizes takes care to Bob, thus restoring the status quo.appreciate Bob's willing service.

Top