Line #5 Main/RapeAsDrama

Context Main / RapeAsDrama

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1	In many works, as in RealLife, RapeIsASpecialKindOfEvil, an appalling crime that brutalizes the victim and can destroy lives, or [[FateWorseThanDeath worse]]. While some other works play rape for sexual fantasies or [[BlackComedyRape laughs]], these treat it soberly, for a dramatic purpose.
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3	That doesn't necessarily mean that it's treated tactfully. All too often, it's a case of the DisposableWoman becoming the DamselInDistress (or even getting StuffedIntoTheFridge) to [[ItsPersonal motivate the male vigilante]]. If multiple rapists were involved, expect the vigilante (or, occasionally, the victim) to go on a full-bore RoaringRampageOfRevenge. Male examples, outside of the BoysLove, are [[DoubleStandardRapeMaleOnMale rarely]] [[DoubleStandardRapeFemaleOnMale played]] for [[NotIfTheyEnjoyedItRationalization drama]].
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5	It is also used to make an otherwise unapproachable woman or man into a needy one. Like for love...except someone ''else'' provided the rape. It is also used to [[RapePortrayedAsRedemption motivate]] an [[UnfortunateImplications overly independent or promiscuous]] bad girl or bad boy to [[HeelFaceTurn change his or her ways]].
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7	Horrifically overused in FanFic, for a number of reasons. Most often, it's just as a cheap shock in [[RapeAsBackstory backstory]] without bothering to explain it any further than a sentence. Sometimes it's used in a case of DieForOurShip, in which [[{{Demonization}} the character the writer hates is the rapist]], and the rape is used as a device to [[HurtComfortFic get the two desired characters together]] (usually after the character the writer wants to "win" the ship war kills the perpetrator). Sometimes it's just used to make a [[TheWoobie Woobie]] out of the writer's desired CanonSue, or to pair the author's MarySue or MartyStu with the victim in a HurtComfortFic. It's arguable that less than 1% of FanFic actually uses this trope effectively, as most of the 10% of "good fics" that SturgeonsLaw claims there to be avoid using rape entirely.
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9	Like {{Blackmail}}, to list all the variations and permutations of this trope here would probably be an exercise in madness.
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11	See also AttemptedRape, PrisonRape and RapeAsBackstory. Contrast BlackComedyRape for when it's PlayedForLaughs and GotOverRapeInstantly when the rape is ignored and the victim immediately shows romantic or sexual interest.

Context Main / RapeAsDrama