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AnnaOfAramis -> RE: Code d' Odalisque (10/12/2009 9:09:36 PM)
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Greetings All,
Whew!! I just read this entire thread. And for what it's worth, I will endeavor to put down all the thoughts that crossed my mind regarding the various responses, but this is going to be off the top of my head, because no way I'm going back and rereading this! OK... so first of all, my Master and I live a lifestyle that is loosely eastern in practice, and I am considered a pleasure slave. We aren't into sado masochism, so on the surface one would think that Code d'Odalisque would fit us. But I have read it in depth -the whole thing. And I have LOTS of problems with it- for me personally- in terms of the ways it simply doesn't fit with the type of slavery in which my Master holds me. Much of the code focuses on "play." While I acknowledge that many people here do play and seek play partners and there is nothing wrong with that, it does not fit my lifestyle. My life is not play. I live my life as a slave because that is simply the way I respond to my Master. I can't turn that on and off, it is who I am all the time. I also have issues with the whole forbidding the "odalisque" to do any other work. (and thank you to the several folks who pointed out that an odalisque is a chamber maid!) I can understand that in the grand harems of the orient, when there were many other servants in the palace, but this isn't very practical in our life. I serve my Master in whatever ways he needs. I may be a pleasure slave, but I am still laying out His clothes, cooking, helping with His business, what ever needs to be done and I like doing those things for Him. I find the code too focused on the nitty gritty- positions, ritual, rules and things- rather than having much underlying principle. In short, I find it superficial. To me, slavery isn't about all those things, and as someone pointed out, the Master is going to determine those things based on what works for Him. For me, living as a slave to a Man is about our life together, about the type of Man He is that makes me need to follow Him. It is about honor and truth and certain core beliefs that we share. Brava, BarelyNAngel! I totally agree! I do find sexuality is not something to be dismissed lightly when talking about slavery. When people say "it's just a sex thing" and somehow imply that therefore it's not real slavery, I think there is a distinction to be made. There is sex on the superficial rubbing-of-body-parts level, there can be a spiritual level to sex, and then there is the primal sexual need that drives us. Rubbing body parts, no there really isn't anything particularly slave-like in that by itself. But what compels me to my knees in the face of a dominant man, what makes me want to serve Him? My sexual programming on a primal level to submit. (I know not everyone is wired like me, but that is how it is for me). So basically what I like about the Code is that it offers an alternative for service that does not involve the sado masochism and dungeons. But, there are a number of others who also do not focus on sadomasochism- Goreans for one. And I don't know enough about 50s Lifestyle or Taken in Hand, but I suspect that could be true for them too. I also adore the Orientalist paintings, but beyond the aesthetics, I find the Code d'Odalisque falls short. I think living as a slave has a lot deeper significance to me than what the Code reduces it to. For us, we live our life and focus on our beliefs about life and men and women, and truth, and what seems right to us. We happen to prefer an eastern ambience, but that is really just aesthetics- like the decor in one's house. It's icing, it's not the cake itself.
OK, I hope that ended up somewhat coherent;)
regards,
anna
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