Random Rant
Jun. 4th, 2008 11:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
skull_bearerI just finished reading 'The Phantom of the Opera', and wanted to rant a little.The book was great, however it crystallises a problemI have with certain kindsof romance. I have only seen het examples of this, but I can't say I'd like a slash version any better.
Childhood sweethearts becoming lovers.
Note, this doesn't count if the two have grown up entirely together, in fact, I would rate that above most relationships since I like my pairings with a lot of water under the bridge. No, I'm talking about when two children are best friends or even plan to marry as children (extra ick), then are separated, and when reunited fall in love utterly.
The obvious example of this, of course, is Tanis and Laurana, and that's bad enough, but the Christine/Raoul relationship in Phantom is even worse. The characters have not developed beyond their childhood selves. They haven't changed. Laurana hasn't seen Tanis for decaded, but her love for him is never in question, and really, neither is his. They haven't grown, there is no real sense of rediscovery, they don't need time to catch up because they are stock characters with no depth.
(On a totally unrelated note, I'm afraid Marvel is going to take this stance with a new Magneto mini-series, which makes me pig-biting mad. HANDS OFF MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER!)
In Phantom, there is not even a delay. I know it's turn-of-the-C literature, but it's still like nails on slate. I consider Erik/Christine to be healthier to be honest (and I don't like Erik just because he's got Magneto's name! Yes, I am in denial over this)
Often, the characters have very little in common except their shared past, and that's supposed to be enough. the difference between a child and an adult is enormous. Hell, the difference of a few years can sometimes change a person completely. A lack of catch-up in these stories is also common, and even more jarring.
If they stay together afterwards, which they almost always do, it's even worse. At worst, not only have the characters not changed, but it doesn't look as though they're ever going to change, locked in a timeless limbo they can never escape from. Even at best, I get the feeling that the relationship will not last long.
Anyway, this is my rant for the day. Please do not let it put you off Phantom. It's a great book and I loved it, but god, this is becoming a pet bitch.
Childhood sweethearts becoming lovers.
Note, this doesn't count if the two have grown up entirely together, in fact, I would rate that above most relationships since I like my pairings with a lot of water under the bridge. No, I'm talking about when two children are best friends or even plan to marry as children (extra ick), then are separated, and when reunited fall in love utterly.
The obvious example of this, of course, is Tanis and Laurana, and that's bad enough, but the Christine/Raoul relationship in Phantom is even worse. The characters have not developed beyond their childhood selves. They haven't changed. Laurana hasn't seen Tanis for decaded, but her love for him is never in question, and really, neither is his. They haven't grown, there is no real sense of rediscovery, they don't need time to catch up because they are stock characters with no depth.
(On a totally unrelated note, I'm afraid Marvel is going to take this stance with a new Magneto mini-series, which makes me pig-biting mad. HANDS OFF MY FAVOURITE CHARACTER!)
In Phantom, there is not even a delay. I know it's turn-of-the-C literature, but it's still like nails on slate. I consider Erik/Christine to be healthier to be honest (and I don't like Erik just because he's got Magneto's name! Yes, I am in denial over this)
Often, the characters have very little in common except their shared past, and that's supposed to be enough. the difference between a child and an adult is enormous. Hell, the difference of a few years can sometimes change a person completely. A lack of catch-up in these stories is also common, and even more jarring.
If they stay together afterwards, which they almost always do, it's even worse. At worst, not only have the characters not changed, but it doesn't look as though they're ever going to change, locked in a timeless limbo they can never escape from. Even at best, I get the feeling that the relationship will not last long.
Anyway, this is my rant for the day. Please do not let it put you off Phantom. It's a great book and I loved it, but god, this is becoming a pet bitch.
