I was
reading a book about a woman. She was
being hunted by a psychopathic killer.
Police wanted to put her in protective custody, to which she responded
(in summary), “I don’t like the thought of being watched over like a child, but
I’ll do it.” My reaction:
reading a book about a woman. She was
being hunted by a psychopathic killer.
Police wanted to put her in protective custody, to which she responded
(in summary), “I don’t like the thought of being watched over like a child, but
I’ll do it.” My reaction:
WTAF?!
And this
is a common response in suspense and thriller books. Strong, female character is being stalked for
some random reason by a killer. The
would-be murderer is almost successful in killing her, but she narrowly escapes
usually leaving behind a trail of ancillary dead characters. A hero of some
sort, FBI agent, cop, private investigator, insert authority figure here,
offers to get her protection. She either resists the protection or begrudgingly
accepts it only to disregard her security for “noble” reasons.
is a common response in suspense and thriller books. Strong, female character is being stalked for
some random reason by a killer. The
would-be murderer is almost successful in killing her, but she narrowly escapes
usually leaving behind a trail of ancillary dead characters. A hero of some
sort, FBI agent, cop, private investigator, insert authority figure here,
offers to get her protection. She either resists the protection or begrudgingly
accepts it only to disregard her security for “noble” reasons.
Here’s my
issue. I get the desire to have a
strong, independent heroine who doesn’t need to be saved by a man. I am all for that. But, seriously??? Someone, sometimes a lot of someones, is
trying to kill you. You were almost dead
already. You’ve been shot at, or
strangled, or assaulted, or whatever, and you aren’t happy to be surrounded by
armed guards?
issue. I get the desire to have a
strong, independent heroine who doesn’t need to be saved by a man. I am all for that. But, seriously??? Someone, sometimes a lot of someones, is
trying to kill you. You were almost dead
already. You’ve been shot at, or
strangled, or assaulted, or whatever, and you aren’t happy to be surrounded by
armed guards?
If this
were me, I would say, “Yes, please! Thank God! Is it possible to get the Secret
Service to surround me? There have to be some bomb shelters around here, right? OR maybe let’s invent a bullet proof bubble
until the trained law enforcement officers catch the crazy person. Either way, I will gladly accept your safe
house, with 24/7 surveillance, and possible steamy love interest (depending on
what genre the book is). Thanks again!”
were me, I would say, “Yes, please! Thank God! Is it possible to get the Secret
Service to surround me? There have to be some bomb shelters around here, right? OR maybe let’s invent a bullet proof bubble
until the trained law enforcement officers catch the crazy person. Either way, I will gladly accept your safe
house, with 24/7 surveillance, and possible steamy love interest (depending on
what genre the book is). Thanks again!”
Why can’t
a woman admit to needing help while maintaining her strength? Admitting you’re not equipped to deal with a sharp
shooting serial killer can’t be weakness, right?
a woman admit to needing help while maintaining her strength? Admitting you’re not equipped to deal with a sharp
shooting serial killer can’t be weakness, right?
Wonder
why women feel they can’t ask for help……
why women feel they can’t ask for help……
I can’t
be the only person who gets annoyed with this plot device, am I?
be the only person who gets annoyed with this plot device, am I?
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