Compelling Engagements: Feminism, Rape Law, and Romance FictionAfter decades of rape law reform, it is still being argued that the criminal justice system fails rape victims, that too few cases are prosecuted and too few prosecutions result in conviction. Compelling Engagements is a ground-breaking work which investigates the narratives of rape law and of romance fiction, and explores the outmoded and strikingly similar depictions of their normative female subjects. These are women who are not only vulnerable but also evidently worthy of the protections or rewards promised: punishment of the rapist or the hero's love. Larcombe's analysis explores: the definitions of "rape" in the criminal law and "romance" in Harlequin Mills and Boon fiction; the feminine subjects represented in the texts of rape law and romance fiction; the feminised subject positions the texts produce: the rape complainant and the romance reader; particular fictionalisations of the rape complainant and the romance reader: the false rape complainant and the ideal romance consumer; and how these fictionalisations serve the interests of the criminal justice system and the romance publishing industry. Larcombe shows how the legal construction of gender and subjectivity in rape law is still working to disempower victims. She suggests feminism's failure to accommodate women's investment in heroines of romance fiction has limited their effectiveness in transforming rape law. Compelling Engagements is an original and engaging analysis, and fascinating reading for anyone who deals with rape as part of the criminal justice system. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 36
Page 4
... example , that the construc- tion of normative femininity in rape law works to disadvantage and disqualify the vast majority of women rape complainants . The construction of normative femininity in romance fiction , on the other hand ...
... example , that the construc- tion of normative femininity in rape law works to disadvantage and disqualify the vast majority of women rape complainants . The construction of normative femininity in romance fiction , on the other hand ...
Page 7
... example , in romantic fantasy ) . Similarly , certain strands of feminist literary criticism have been limited by their insistence that the construction of gender within romance fiction is just part of a female - authored fantasy , and ...
... example , in romantic fantasy ) . Similarly , certain strands of feminist literary criticism have been limited by their insistence that the construction of gender within romance fiction is just part of a female - authored fantasy , and ...
Page 10
... example , K Weeks ; McNay ; Prokhov- nik ; Lurie ; Ussher ; Butler Gender and Bodies ) . It is in the context of such understandings of subjectivity as constructed , performative and over- determined that romance fiction and rape law's ...
... example , K Weeks ; McNay ; Prokhov- nik ; Lurie ; Ussher ; Butler Gender and Bodies ) . It is in the context of such understandings of subjectivity as constructed , performative and over- determined that romance fiction and rape law's ...
Page 16
... example , can no longer be directed to the effect that " consent may be hesitant , grudging or tearful " ( Ibbs 95 ) . To be absolutely clear that inactivity or lack of physical resistance is no longer to be equated with consent ...
... example , can no longer be directed to the effect that " consent may be hesitant , grudging or tearful " ( Ibbs 95 ) . To be absolutely clear that inactivity or lack of physical resistance is no longer to be equated with consent ...
Page 19
... example , Anne Edwards and Melanie Heenan 213 ; McSherry " Lack of Consent " 40 ; Mack " Conti- nuing Barriers " 329 ) . While I don't doubt that social and cultural norms and practices with respect to sexuality play their part in the ...
... example , Anne Edwards and Melanie Heenan 213 ; McSherry " Lack of Consent " 40 ; Mack " Conti- nuing Barriers " 329 ) . While I don't doubt that social and cultural norms and practices with respect to sexuality play their part in the ...
Contents
13 | |
Desire and Love Gendering Subjectivity | 34 |
The Fortitude of Heroines | 59 |
Heroines and the InSecurity | 78 |
Fear and Hope | 97 |
Preferred Readers and Other Romances | 115 |
Compelling Engagements | 135 |
Index | 161 |
Common terms and phrases
accused appeal argue attempts Australian basis become changes chapters complainant's consent consequence construction consumer contemporary continue conviction course criminal law critics cultural defence desire effect engagements evidence example experience explains fact false false complaint fantasy female feminine subjectivity feminist gender genre Harlequin hero hero's heroine heroine's heterosexual exchange ideal individual interests issues judges jury knowledge law and romance law's limited means mind narrative nature non-consent normative object particular person pleasures political popular romance position practice Press problem produced promises prosecution provides publishers questions rape complainant rape law rape victim reading reason reform relations relationship representation represented reproduce requirement resistance respect romance fiction romance reader satisfaction satisfied sense sexual assault sexual penetration social specific standard story successful suggest takes testimony texts true understand victim violence woman women women's romance Writing
References to this book
Choice and Consent: Feminist Engagements with Law and Subjectivity Rosemary C. Hunter,Sharon Cowan No preview available - 2007 |