It
seems my post back on Tuesday, 13 January 2015 has generated a heck
of a lot of interest – even though I neglected to provide it with a
title (something I have today rectified – not absolutely necessary
I know, but I'm a stickler for detail). OK most has been in the form
of emails to me personally, but nevertheless, there is obviously a
LOT of interest out there in the unjustified, undeserving punishment
and discipline of the quiet, shy introverted bookworm type.
I
have been hunting around for a while now – ever since that original
posting in fact – for a suitable illustrative example of the type I
envisage (easy enough, you may think), but pictured within the right
sort of context. I think the look is captured quite nicely in this illustration by that great,
great, CP-orientated artist, Hardcastle originaly for Janus magazine
back in the 1980s (although for an entirely different kind of storyline). But if you can think of any better examples
please feel free to share them here (by sending in via email) or
posting a link / description or what have you.
The
consensus from the emails I have received seems to be that the more
sheltered, pampered and privileged the girl's upbringing has been,
the more unassuming, good-natured, quiet and modest she is, the
better and the greater the impact – and thus the frisson to be had,
from the reader's point of view – when the disciplinarian is
introduced into her orbit. And the girl's isolation from her
previous existence as soon as practically – and plausibly -
possible seems a prerequisite of story development from that point
on, as does the unbridled and undisguised enjoyment of the
proceedings by the disciplinarian her (or him) self as he or she
imposes ever more austere and restrictive conditions.
Another
theme coming to the fore is one of favourite pastimes, interests or
ambitions becoming twisted and turned against the hapless young thing
in the hands of the draconian authority figure to the point of
becoming punitive, hated and loathsome. Thus the once-joyful piano
lessons that become a mindless detested – even feared –
repetitive chore (see this illustration I found - on Tumblr; where else?).
I
can think of few better ways for summing all this up than by ending
with this contributed piece sent in as a comment by 'Chris' and
repeated here for no other reason than to illustrate the fact to
those (and I'm often an offender myself) who don't always bother to
open the 'comments' sections of blogs to do so more often – you
never know what you may be missing out on! Now read on:
A Contribution by Chris
“I
too much prefer that such a woman be placed in charge of a quiet,
socially-conforming, bookworm. I too like the total contrast, 'the
use of the iron bar to break the butterfly’s wings.'
This
girl is not in need of any disciplinary regime, she is a high
achiever at school – sure the atmosphere is relaxed, no uniform,
lots of social activities, but she still works hard and gains 'A'
passes; she has never been a cause for concern, no boys, no drinking
or smoking, a conformist in all respects. She enjoys the outdoors and
loves her horse-riding, excelling in this too, with many ribbons to
adorn her walls. Life is a pleasure….
Then
the governess is appointed, [and the girl] can’t understand the
dramatic change to her world. She is now to study for twelve hours a
day, wear a strict and uncomfortable uniform, perform hard physical
household chores for a further four hours each day, and have no
further contact with her host of friends. The final straw is when
her governess, a woman - if she may be termed so, for she is barely
two years her senior - informs her that her favourite showjumper, a
horse she trained from a foal to A-grade, dotes on daily, and is now
worth a great deal of money; has been given away.
In
tears, shaking with grief, frustration, disbelief and resentment -
this is so totally undeserved - she calls her governess, ‘a cruel
monster’. After all she is a perfectly [well] behaved girl, she
would never swear, or raise her voice in anger [nor] lash out.
[Imagine] her total shock when her governess calmly advises, her tone
implacable, “Little girls need to learn obedience and respect their
superiors. Your behaviour is quite unacceptable and will be dealt
with appropriately. Please remove all your clothes in preparation for
your punishment.”
She
can hardly believe her ears, this young governess is talking to her
like a little child. Worse follows as she is lead into the punishment
room where she sets eyes on the gym horse with its leather restraints
and the vicious cane placed alongside. It is obvious this is going to
be a severe thrashing. It is undeserved, who would not have reacted
similarly, or worse, in the circumstances?
She chokes back the
tears in disbelief, shock, her mouth dry, her stomach churned up as
her whole body trembles in dread. She breaks down and sobs, pleads
for forgiveness and mercy, she will never disobey again, apologises
profusely for her behaviour.
Her
governess looks on dispassionately. The girl has never heard a raised
voice before, she has been pampered and, in truth, spoiled all her
life; yet this martinet looks at her without pity. She beseeches:
“Please…
forgive me, just this once, I promise I will be so so good from now
on…… so good. I am so sorry…. Please… I will never call you
names again. Please don’t hurt me, I’m begging you… forgive me,
just this once?”
Her
pride is long gone, she barely believes her own words as she trembles
before this young woman barely older than she; yet worlds separate
them. It is all so unjustified, so undeserving… so extreme a
penalty. All she has known before was love and caring compassion; a
quiet word of warning, at most, if her behaviour had ever warranted
correction.
Her
words fall on deaf ears as her governess simply advises, “Bend over
the horse, now… and if I hear another word from your mouth, I will
double your punishment.”
The
girl [feels utterly] defeated as she bends and finds herself secured
to the horse, no option but to bear her punishment. Yet - as her
governess viciously slashes the cane in practice, the evil hiss
causing her to cringe in absolute terror - she cannot help but ask,
her voice a tremor, “Please, just this once, spare me…..”
The
cold emotionless response of her governess breaks her completely,
“You just doubled your punishment - thirty-six strokes.”
Great stuff! Eh, folks? More, please. Chris!
Am I the only one who thinks there is
something about the sheen on the fabric of the dress the women is wearing in
this scene (left) that somehow makes it ‘work’ despite so much else being so
‘wrong’ about it? I mean… sure, the
nappy’s ok as far as it goes, but all that jewellery and make up on the
girl? And the background is just horrid,
in my opinion, even in a domestic setup.
Even in a fairly modest home I would have thought it possible to set
aside a small box room (as we’d call it here in the UK), kit it out in an
appropriate manner – obviously depending on one’s taste but, security always
being paramount, surely with bars on the window and a sturdy lock on the door
as a bare minimum requirement. I don’t
know about you but I just think all those toys lying around in the background
aren’t just a distraction, they also threaten to send the wrong message… 
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