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Debate No. 6
Debate Part 6 - A few pointers
As usual, thanks to the usual suspects, Miranda, Laura
and Morgane, a special thanks to Elora (she knows why!) and Silvia, and
everybody who actually bothers to read my stories and various ramblings...
SEX:
As I read, "it was bound to
happen", and indeed, there are now many Berubara "sexy" stories, and quite
a few (including mine) which, without being solely sexy, include more or
less graphic or implied elements of sex. I am not going to start
saying that I disapprove, especially since sex is a vital part of the original
story! As you may have noticed, I am all for exploring the many aspects
of the story and the human relationships inside it. To me, involving
sex is just a natural step and should not be seen as "degrading the characters"
or anything of the kind. They HAVE sex in the original story, and
any writer is, therefore, just rewriting how this happened with more or
less success. Sex is not anything writers or readers should fear,
as it is the logical conclusion of a loving relationship... or the conclusion
of a sordid relation of powers. It would be "missing the point",
I think, to create a deep story while passing on the sexual details.
The base of the story being the conflict of Oscar, raised as a man to deny
any feminine impulse, is a sexual one from the start, and this "conflict"
or confusion (although Oscar does not want to act on it) should not and
has not been ignored!
There is, however, a point that
was quite rightly pointed out to me: in many stories, when Oscar
does go with her feminine instincts and loses her virginity, this is in
most cases accompanied with the loss of hymen and blood. As I was
told, and I thought about it myself, but ignored it (shame on me!!!), the
fact that she does many physical activities, rides, got herself out of
dangerous situations by extraordinarily demanding physical acts, there
are indeed great chances that, even though she is a virgin, she had lost
that delicate membrane to one of these activities.
So I will give you the same
explanation I already gave: for me, the loss of hymen is taken as
a symbol of virginity. Losing it also means that she embraces
her feminine side, and this needed to be noted in a more dramatic way than
by just some pain the next morning! It also depends on the ardour
or the passion (or violence) of the act, the age and the circumstances.
Another thing that was pointed
out to me and that I always viewed as accurate is how the story is hardly
"easy" or a "light romantic tale" (Fleur bleue, as we would say!).
It is, on the contrary, a serious, often harsh, thought provoking story,
extremely hard in places. Far away, in fact, from the romantic "ideal"
love story many people enjoy. This is why it has fascinated me from the
start, and this is also why I could imagine such dark atmospheres for my
stories. It also evokes themes which are hardly "childlike" and this
adds to the challenge. Many people were shocked, offended, other
simply didn't understand.
Basically, what I am trying
to say is that all subjects are worth being dealt with, it just matters
how well you do it! I have to admit that there are some constants
and some values, the ones that make Berusaiyu No Bara what it is!, that
I wouldn't touch, and that I think should be respected because they are
fundamental to the story. I don't think anybody has actually "attacked"
the integrity of the story that way, they have just been bringing their
ideas, point of view, and talent to keep us enjoying this extraordinary
tale.
AN ADDICTION? BUT IT IS ONLY NATURAL!
To all people who have read
my page, I would like to give sincere thanks. To those who share
our devouring interest, and gave me their opinion, thank you thank you
thank you!
Somebody asked me why I did
this, and why I wrote about it in the first place. Well, the answer
is: I cannot get it out of my head if I don't! I have always enjoyed
reading tremendously, and, since Berusaiyu No Bara never got out of my
head in years, I was always looking for sites, and especially fictions
related to my heroes.
I have to admit that I was never
disappointed. There are plenty of very clever and talented writers/artistes
around here. And then, as I think many people who read our pages
have experienced, you just need to read more. You have to read the
final chapters of THAT story, and you remembered that piece and you are
wondering if the author in question has written another one...
Well, I do think this "addiction"
is nothing but normal. If you are sincere and interested in a subject,
isn't the best way to learn about it to read as much as you can about it,
in as many forms as possible?
The only reason why Fanfics
exist in the first place is because people cannot get the characters or
the events of a series out of their heads. And, since this is for
an artistic purpose (writing IS an art), it should be viewed in a positive
way. I remember when somebody seemed shocked that I read Fanfics
about an ANIME... surely an animation is not worth THAT effort? Well,
imagine her face when I told her that, not only do I read what is written
on the subject as often as I can, but I instigated my own site to put forth
my writing... After we talked about what is mainly an act of creation,
and of cure (try to have story lines stuck in your heads for days!), it
is all for the better.
I am sure all readers of Fan
fictions can appreciate this.
And yes, I mentioned it was
a "cure". Well, there wasn't much of an illness to start with, because
an illness would be quite negative. Rather something that is in your
head and creeps up all over you, quite like a virus, and that you have
to expel using your trusty pen and paper. It is tiring, it is annoying
when you cannot express exactly what you think, it is obsessing sometimes,
but it is always better than to have no heart or brain. If you are
suffering from the same symptoms... enjoy! You can always rest afterwards!
DESTINY/FATE:
I am sure all of view have
actually seen the parallel between the unfortunate love of Marie and Oscar,
and their realisation, even if this is twisted by Fersen being the object
of the attraction for both women. Fersen seem to be destined to be
with Marie-Antoinette, and Andre with Oscar, even if the road is long and
painful.
I would like to point out the
similarities of the fate of those two couples, who are condemned to be
suffering from their love (they can only enjoy it for a short period of
time), and ultimately, they meet their horrible Deaths.
What seems interesting is that,
when I mentioned "sex" in the previous part, it also came to my mind that,
as soon as the relationship is consummated, then the fate of all characters
is sealed and they are bound to die. They have sex very close to
the end of the story. Maybe Antoinette and Fersen did a little while
ago, but, even in the original story, this was treated as a gossip, and
there was no proof to it.
There is a compelling parallel
as well as to what the fact of consummating their relationships leads to:
A Change of destiny, or the following
of a life that was destined to end that way? In both cases, having
sex represents the acceptance of the character's destiny. Once they
commit themselves, their destinies are sealed.
Having sex leads to Death, as the
ultimate escape for this impossible love in real life. Whether it
is a warning about the dangers and implications of sex (this is, after
all, a shoujo Manga), or an ideal way to reunite the characters and to
mark that "Once you have achieved the perfect communion with your loved
one, there is nothing else more beautiful to do", either way, the achievement
of love is shortly followed by Death (eve if Fersen might have to wait
a bit longer, there were no more affairs and he did die not too long afterwards
in horrible circumstances...).
That's what I liked so much about
the story as well, this desperate, tragic tone. because you knew
there was only one way it could finish (Of course, it is easier with the
Historical Characters! I was talking about Oscar and the other fictitious
characters).
FERSEN
I have been told many things
about this character: That he would have been a good match for Oscar
(not too sure about that one), that he was a Gentleman with good values,
a great heart and not to repulsive himself. Noble, he would be the
perfect designated love interest for Oscar...
Well, maybe so, since Ryoko
Ikeda did think so herself. But there is just one thing: he
is SO perfect: young, noble, good looking, full of virtues, not too full
of himself, romantic, etc... and so BORING!
I always was dubious about a
man who always seem so perfect in all situations. As Fersen is.
Also, the way the character was developed -or not developed enough- made
him a very bland person indeed. Lacking the fire of Oscar, or the
insouciance of Marie, or even the quiet determination and desperation of
Andre, I am not too sure he would have been perfect for Oscar, had she
had his heart rather than him falling for Marie-Antoinette. She probably
would have fallen asleep and never woken up.
Now, I a not being mean to a
character who, even if this is not my favourite, I do not dislike.
On the contrary, I think he is a good character... and this is the problem!
I think, in order to make all turmoil's all the more apparent, as well
as the events happening, the character of Fersen could not be that developed,
and he was not the one who should expose his feelings. But he was
extremely useful as a tool to help reveal to Oscar her feminine feelings,
and make pain and jealousy rise in Andre.
But I have to say that, unlike
Oscar, I never thought he was that fantastic. What about you?
GIRODELLE (Continued/developped in Debate
Part 9)
I just noticed something a
bit strange but, in all the sites I have visited, there is basically nothing
(especially not sound files) related to our pour Victor Clement de Girodelle!
I think this is a shame, because I like the character, for various reasons.
As much as I found Fersen a boring, easy to read as an open book, predictable
sort of character, I feel Girodelle is so much more of an enigma, maybe
even a bit tortuous, at least, this is the rendition of the character in
the Anime. Which doesn't surprise me that they turned him into a
depraved adept of Sade in the horrible movie I will not mention, and this
is quite a shame, because I strongly feel that he deserved better than
that!!!!
Poor Girodelle seems destined
to be ignored, but he is capital for the direction of the story:
When he precipitates Oscar's Destiny by talking the King into offering
the position of Captain to Oscar (he doesn't do a thing in the Manga, but
he does much more later on in the story that it balances it out) or when
he constantly reminds Andre he should shut up and remember his rank and
place. He is always there, always efficient, always with white
gloves (the guy is a living advertising campaign for Dry Cleaning), always
discreet but always in the background...
When he asks Oscar in marriage,
he also offers her her way out: he won't pursue her, since he knows
her feelings, but, should she consider to get married for herself and her
safety, he is ready to offer her this comfort (and of course he fell in
love with her, I refuse to think he is heartless!), and this seemed to
me like the ultimate gesture of a Gentleman. In the Manga, he even
shows her the way when he declares "You can't give orders to Hearts", and
this is this argument which will made Oscar decide what to do next, for
herself.
Even rejected, after trying
to kiss her at the ball where she was supposed to show herself as a woman,
to which he came and didn't make a move or a sound, they, with Oscar, speak
as friends, and this is Girodelle himself who directs the conversation
to Andre (after he received the content of a glass in his face for being
mean with Andre; he knows fully well the feelings of the latter) to get
her to think about it. Then he kisses her hand and leaves, knowing
he will never have her heart, but the gesture is just beautiful!
I find him very surprising in
places and very interesting. What a shame the character is so under-estimated!
(I give him his own Debate
in Part 9).
THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MANGA AND THE ANIME
I already spoke a bit about
the main differences between the Manga and the Anime before: The
Manga shows the characters as more "human" (there are more conflicts, Oscar
seems more relaxed, she doesn't hesitate to laugh her head off or cry because
she got hurt!), and this is a bit more "romantic" (ah, the scene where
Andre is about to poison Oscar, or the one where they are both sitting
on that little Sofa as Andre is reading a letter to her and she lets her
head fall on his shoulder and he cannot hold his tears...). Well,
this is the aspect that is totally romantic, but, there are also many more
intense conflicts inside the characters: Oscar has real trouble with
dealing with the interest of women towards her, and Andre, if he never
seems to shut up, is very cute, whereas he becomes more and more silent
in the Anime, but he is also a lot more passionate in the Manga...
The Anime doesn't show that
excess, and the characters seem a lot more "sober" and serious. Versailles
seems a lot less impressive than in Ikeda's drawings. This is not
either good or bad, but represent simply a different interpretation of
the story. This is where I felt this atmosphere of "unease" and unhealthy
feelings, even something quite perverted. The way the characters
appear, the places, the way the action is paced and set-up, and especially
the way the Court is described is very much more "brutal" (and probably
more accurate) than in the Manga. Sometimes in various animations,
you can feel that lack of means and capital prevent them from giving an
accurate rendition of a Manga. Here, the minimalism, either by choice
or by lack of money, probably both! renders the atmosphere more "heavy"
and makes this version a very distinct and personal one. I remember
this atmosphere really impressed me at the time.
And what about the voices?
I watch the Anime in French, because it is great to hear the language it
was supposed to have taken place in, and the French dubbing is absolutely
stunning, congratulations to all the voice artists! I still remember
Oscar and Andre...that was just a fantastic work! So much more accurate
than the English version (I am told! do confirm this if you know!).
THE INFAMOUS EPISODE 28
I don't think there is a single
Fan who did not remember or was not stunned by this episode! I was!
I was quite young at the time, but absolutely into the story, but I think
I did not "get it all" immediately. I kept thinking "No, this can't
be what you think, they would not have put that in a cartoon!". That
was my first reaction: denial! That tells you how shocked I was!
That looked so much like the primal instinct that it totally overwhelmed
me! Especially coming from Andre, who was suffering in silence and
was quietly falling into despair! Basically, this total change in
role (Oscar losing control to Andre, on all points) was necessary -it is
the turning point of the story- but this is all the rage previously held
and the flow of feelings which made it magical...
When I read the scene in the
Manga, I found it already a lot more romantic. Was it because I already
knew the outcome and the effect of shock had finally worn off? (I
still don't think I got over the shock, even right now!). Andre talks
a lot. He tells her of his undying love in beautiful words.
He is holding her and crying in her arms, and this is terribly romantic!
They land on the bed because she attempted to escape his hold, it is more
of an accident. And the act of tearing off her shirt, even though
it is of a rare violence, doesn't have the same shock effect as in the
Anime. Moreover, if Oscar is upset about this, she still can't forget
to care when she enquires about his eye at the end of the scene, reducing
the impact of what Andre just did to something forgivable.
In the other hand, in the Anime,
where Andre, usually so talkative (always the correct reassuring word!),
turns into that silent stranger, it is a side we didn't know, and therefore
it is immediately more scary. Then, he refuses to even answer her,
which is something he has never done in the past, and savagely kisses her
WITHOUT telling her of his love. Then he PUSHES her onto the bed
(whereas this is mostly an accident in the Manga), this is a deliberate
act. Is he thinking that the realisation by Oscar of her condition
goes through her being degraded? On top of the terminal hormonal
case, that may be an hypothesis.
To say the least, the scene
is much harsher because, if Andre does tell Oscar about his feelings, he
still, at that time, doesn't show them much, since there is nothing loving
or tender in his gesture. But it is primal and lusty...
Berusaiyu no Bara; Lady Oscar: All Rights Reserved Ikeda Productions 1972-1973, Tokyo Movie Shinsha Co. 1979-1980.
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