The Power of O

I had the Story of O, the book, in the late 1970's and it was one of my first intros into kink. It didn't take quite then, possibly for reasons that I will get into here..but then also I was only in my late teens and in the 70's kink was seen more as a joke then a serious lifestyle by the vanilla population. besides in 1978-79 what did a 18 year old know about Domination and submission? (Of course while today's youth may have a more extensive technical knowledge of it due to the internet, I contend that they still don't know shit about the true depth of BDSM no matter how extensive their clinical knowledge)

Of course the snobs purists will say that since I only ever read the English translation and not the original French, so I missed the subtleties and nuances that can only come from a ..blah blah blah.

Now this rumination will come on the heels of my viewing of the 1975 film version that I saw in French with English subtitles, and I fully realize the differences and inherent pitfalls of any film derivation from any printed work, how ever I feel confident enough to say that the memories of repeated readings was sparked enough by this recent viewing and the same themes popped up in my mind so the thrust of my observation is still valid.

Also the seeming avant garde/indifferent French attitude that permeates the works of that era are also similar enough to not warrant comment to any noted difference.

So, who is the most dominating character of this story? Rene? hardy..he is seemingly helplessly in love with this woman. Yet, instead of sending her off for this training for his own selfish needs, he is somehow convinced he can only prove her devotion to him by pushing her upon others, yet pining painfully and with undue French moroseness as she is is whipped, fucked and used by who ever wanders by as she looks helplessly and confusedly at him, yet taking her "punishments" and even enjoying them, for him.So no through out this tale Rene is nothing but Sir Stephens other bitch.

So how about the trainer Pierre? surely he is a strong dominate character right? Wrong, he too helplessly falls for O and even though she craves it, he tells that he will only pretend to whip her so as to not harm this beloved creature.

Perhaps a case could be made for Anne-Marie however she has a matronly caring aspect for all her girls and does not always take an active hand but dictates her will through her charges.

A stronger case is made for Sir Stephens maid and woman Friday who seems to take the greatest pleasure in whipping O, yet is only a hand of Sir Stephens.

And what of Sir Stephen hi self the man for whose benefit all this seems to be orchestrated? He certainly has Rene on his leash even if Rene won't admit it.He is practically in love with his older step brother and willingly gives up the object of his desire in O.
Sir Stephen also seems to think the only way to prove his control is to have O submit to others, and yet at one point we see his own selfish longing hinder this "goal" when he must leave O to Ivan and can no longer watch her being fucked by this groping clod.

In the end O is sent off to a party as a bird of prey, by her own choosing this guise, the hunted no longer, but the proud, the center of attention at this party in her Owl mask..seeming to look down upon those who gawk and admire her in her nudity which now stands as a symbol of control of those about her, she knows that desire for her is the true power that she holds, and so in this we see it is her who has always held the power this entire time..O.

An interesting tidbit from the films end (I can not remember if this was in the book)O asks Sir Stephen is knowing what he knew now and knowing his love (which he proclaimed would never be given, as if love was a weakness) for O, would he go through even a fraction of her ordeal for her as she did for him?
He says he would and stoically holds still as she takes his cigar and burns his hand revealing a symbolic "O" scar aside her O ring asking the question, who really is O? the quiet beautiful slave or the seeming master?

It is said in the kink community that the slave holds the real power, in O, everything that is done to her is done to her is only done with her consent, in fact her "permission" is constantly sought and asked.

Today's equivalent is the safe word, meant to be used in distress it is also a way for the submissive to control the action. so except in Gor lifestyles there is a loving component and the slaves well being is strictly watched for. D/s is not about abuse or pain, it is about surrender and freedom.

It is about the slaves power, the Power of O