Sexuality as a theme in HP (long)

[littleleahstill]

No: HPFGUIDX 119632


Kethryn wrote:

If you go with the sexual interpretation and say that Snape 
represents the darker side of sex (I think that's a bit too broad, I 
would narrow it down to say that he represents the darker side of 
desire that he has to fight), then Bella represents a dominatrix. 
And, like all good doms, she plays sub as well, sub to Voldemort for 
sure...maybe sub to Lestrange as well(although I tend to doubt that).

Kethryn who has a calculus final in *EEEK* an hour. I will expand on 
this idea if there is interest.

Leah now:

Kethryn, really good luck with the calculus final. I think that 
seeing Bellatrix as a dominatrix per se, is perhaps trying to express 
the underlying sexual theme too particularly.  I don't see JKR 
saying, 'and here's Grubbly-Plank, she can be a lesbian' for 
example.  This is one of the reasons why I don't agree with the Lupin 
as paedophile suggestion.  (I think the HIV analogy is much better, 
although I think that ties in win the prejudice/discrimination theme, 
not any sexual theme).

However, there are many elements in the description of Bellatrix that 
do suggest a sort of SM perversion (I use the latter word 
deliberately in terms of Bellatrix, who is a deeply 'wrong' 
character).  When we first see Bella, she is chained to the 
chair/throne- this is a powerful and beautiful woman in bondage.  
There are also references to Bella which could be snake references; 
her hooded eyes, her shining hair, and of course 'throne' itself in 
the UK at least has a toilet meaning.  If snake references are also 
phallic references, then there we have a woman referred to in 
masculine terms.  I wonder, if Sirius represents unbridled sexuality, 
in Olivier's idea, and Snape is repressed sexuality, whether 
Bellatrix represents sexuality which has been chained for a 
particular purpose.  We know Bella comes from a family which 
is 'Toujours Pur' and that her sister was expelled from that family 
for making a mixed blood love match. There appears to be no affection 
whatsover between Bella and Lestrange- she has no interest in his 
welfare in the MOM, but it is a lovely pure blood marriage. Pure 
blood sexuality has been dammed along particular approved channels, 
rather than allowed to flow freely. 

Or perhaps I'm being too particular myself here, and Bellatrix is 
something deeper- a particular rejection of femaleness perhaps.  She 
is named as the victor, and her name is also like Bellona, goddess of 
war, Belladonna (deadly nightshade). She is a rejection of the life 
giving qualities of femaleness, she gives death not life.  

I find all the various depictions of femaleness that suddenly crop up 
in OOTP quite odd, and I'd like to post more, but since I've rambled 
on enough here, I'll stop for now.

Leah