November 30, 2007
Rescue Me?
There is a theory that occasionally makes the rounds of Romancelandia. So please bear with me while I play devil’s advocate for a moment… 
The theory is that the idea of Romance—and Romances as a literary genre—are little more than thinly-veiled rescue fantasies.
Now, before anyone jumps on their gender-defensive high horse (as I did), let’s consider it.
How many romances have you read in which the hero saves the heroine from mortal danger?
Rescue.
Or he snatches her from the jaws of a routine existance, introducing her to sexual excitement, a purpose in life, or the promise of a better future?
Rescue.
Don’t most of us heave even a little sigh when the hero bends her backward, his lips forcing her surrender, saving her from her poor, dull self? Or feel ourselves go all smooshy when he sweeps her off her feet and carries her away?
Rescue.
Even the unsuccessful rescue can move us. Sure, maybe the bad guys got their hands on the heroine…but not without the hero risking life and limb to prevent it. And if he should shield her with his body, or sacrifice something that was important to him for her sake? Sometimes just the THOUGHT of it—a warrior who’ll shield her from harm? Does it make your heart flutter, make you heave a little sigh?
Rescue.
Now, I know what some of you are thinking…
“Yeah, but what about the stories in which she saves HIM, or the gritty new heroines who are more likely to step up and kick ass than stand on a hillside, frock blowing in the breeze as they scan the horizon for their hero?” 
The ‘anti-rescue’ heroine. She’s become popular in action/romance, films, and tv—most likely because she’s been something of a rarity in the past, whose very existence is a reaction to those predecessors who needed…rescuing?
There’s no judgement implied in this post. Chances are the damsel in distress supplies something that’s lacking in the hero. And heroic men would, no doubt, be attracted to women in trouble. But it does provide food for thought.
Are the romances you’re reading/writing really “rescue fantasies”, and would the idea of that bother you?
NO problem here…I like a little resueing now and then.
Me likes a good strong man.
In the present WIP, they take turns.
“Are the romances you’re reading/writing really “rescue fantasies”
An old mechanic’s cliche fits here, Raine: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. :)
Yes, they are….all the way back to the dame you have pictured above—though I think the Brothers Grimm are probably rolling over in their proverbial graves by now.
I see nothing wrong with that. To me, reading and writing “rescues” my sanity more times than I can count and as Bernard said, if it aint broke . . . .
Now that you’ve mentioned it my fourth book is a rescue story. But I say the only twist is that the heroine depends on no one at the beginning of the book. She’s so I can do it all myself it’s sickening. She has to learn to ask for help when things become overwhelming.
And really what’s wrong with being naked and chained to a rock when you know a man is coming….no pun intended.
Most of them are “rescue” books. We tend to read romances to be swept away, a few hours to get away from our own problems. In that form, the book itself is a “rescue” book. Things are getting so bad, that if a man were to come by and “rescue” me, I’d let him - how is being a cold, hungry and broke feminist going to help me?
Jennifer Crusie’s book “Getting Rid of Bradley” - the heroine rescues herself, much to the heroes consternation. But it’s still a “rescue”.
I like to think they’re rescuing each other. She uses her magic hoochie to heal emotionally stunted soul, heating the cockles of his cold never-been-in-love-like-this-before heart.
Vanessa, it has already been termed Glittery Hoo-Ha.
Jaye
I guess my issue with it all is that it’s not real life. And sure we read for escapism but but but I find myself reading more and more outside romance and I think this might be a big part of the reason why. IRL no one’s going to save your ass….color me jaded.
Or find the damn remote to the TV for you
Love is all about rescue anyway, so I don’t have a problem with it at all.
In fact, I’d say lovers really rescue each other.
Well I’ll be damned.
Everybody AGREES, lol!
“color me jaded”
Way ahead you there, Cece. Got it tatooed on my ass.
While I love the rescue concept in romance novels. In real life it’s probably more about supporting, or lending strength, or challenging towards growth, etc., than rescued. I’m more about two wholes coming together as a pair (enhancing strengths and offsetting weaknesses), than two (incomplete) halves coming together as a whole.
But I think I just got off topic there…
Melissa, I forgot about JC’s Glittery Hoo-Ha. (maybe cause I’ve lost a lot my sparkle over time…. ha! Good thing tinsel’s on sale this time of year. (somebody stop me. *g*))
I like the emotional resue stories. The ones where there’s a wounded hero or heroine, and they find emotional salvation with the other.
Not to say I don’t like the physical kind too, cuz I love them, but it hink whta makes a rescue truly heartwrenching is the emotional ones. Am I making sense? i just woke up and haven;t had any caffiene yet.