In Defense of Fifty Shades by E. L. James: Does It Really Contain Gender-Based Violence?

Abstract

This article presents a response to the harsh criticism expressed against E. L. James’s Fifty Shades. Accusations have been made from many sides that it encourages gender-based violence within a romantic relationship, unjustly stereotyping the female character Anastasia (Ana) as a battered, submissive, weak woman and a “sex slave.” However, as this thorough analysis will argue, Anastasia does not fit the profile of a victim of gender-based violence. Rather, she embodies the traits of an empowered woman. From this viewpoint, it is unfair to consider Fifty Shades as promoting violence against women.

Keywords

• Fifty Shades series of novels
• gender-based violence
• battered woman
• empowered woman
• BDSM