Nobody is arguing that she does not say yes at that point. The arguemnt is that she is 13 and therefore not in a position to give consent, and that it is therefore especially problematic that Martin emphasises the consent to such an extent.
I would agree with regards to that scene alone. However, later on it is emphasised that Dany does not enjoy these initial encounters with Drogo (consent or not) and does not do so until Drogo starts to respect her wishes, so her consent may be technically given but she's still not happy about the situation (something that should have been emphasised in the first scene more).
However, whilst it may have been written in modern times and be set in another world, the books are very clearly closely based on the real medieval period (moreso than any other work of fantasy I know of, with the possible exception of Kate Elliott's CROWN OF STARS series) when children were expected to marry and bear offspring of their own, often at exceptionally young ages. The issues of how this clashes with modern sensibilities are very deliberately placed in the narrative. It's meant to be problematic and make readers question the situation. It's also interesting to see how this scene is dealt with by people of other nationalities: in many European countries the age of consent is 14, with informal tolerance of things happening a year or two earlier, and in such cases the scene is regarded rather differently (to the point where the age issue is disregarded and the consent one becomes paramount) from in the UK and USA where it is significantly higher.
As I said earlier, I think that scene is hamstrung by GRRM being unusually timid (perhaps rightfully so given the circumstances) and backtracking a little from the full unpleasentness of the situation. The HBO series definitely handled this scene better, one of the few instances where it is possible to say that.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
13/08/2012 10:48:37 PM
- 8864 Views
Fascinating.
13/08/2012 11:40:22 PM
- 2347 Views
On the Rape issue....
14/08/2012 01:19:35 AM
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Re: On the Rape issue....
14/08/2012 02:02:42 AM
- 2070 Views
Firstly, Camilla is a she. Secondly, though I won't speak for her, regarding the rape in the novels,
14/08/2012 02:23:19 AM
- 2219 Views
Camilla is indeed a she.
14/08/2012 06:18:58 AM
- 2123 Views
Re: On the Rape issue....
14/08/2012 06:17:55 AM
- 2055 Views
How is that a violent rape? At worst it would be statutory rape.
17/08/2012 11:53:44 AM
- 2121 Views
The wedding night is statutory. I would describe the later rapes as fairly violent.
17/08/2012 12:13:26 PM
- 2176 Views
That was her only sex scene, until she induces him to have outdoor sex to get pregnant
17/08/2012 07:20:09 PM
- 2158 Views
It is not necessary to provide a scene
17/08/2012 10:49:20 PM
- 2068 Views
I believe that what is happening here is called confirmation bias *NM*
21/08/2012 06:23:38 PM
- 1169 Views
I think you misread one part
14/08/2012 04:51:34 PM
- 2279 Views
I think that the Rhaegar and Lyanna stuff does look like rape in the first book
14/08/2012 08:10:27 PM
- 2062 Views
"Looks like" is this case meaning "explicitly stated to be that way"?
17/08/2012 11:56:48 AM
- 2019 Views
what a great review. you echo my thoughts quite a bit...
15/08/2012 01:21:38 AM
- 2027 Views
Re: what a great review. you echo my thoughts quite a bit...
15/08/2012 07:39:24 AM
- 2247 Views
philippa gregory co-authored a book "the women of the cousins' war" - it was very interesting
16/08/2012 07:54:50 PM
- 2090 Views
Wait...why would you waste time reading this fluff series when it's out on TV?
16/08/2012 12:10:32 AM
- 2181 Views
I always liked the banners and pageantry - it creates an interesting contrast...
16/08/2012 11:52:40 PM
- 1979 Views
Re: I always liked the banners and pageantry - it creates an interesting contrast...
17/08/2012 06:33:24 AM
- 2148 Views
I think the TV series handles the problematic Dany/Drogo relationship better
17/08/2012 12:20:16 AM
- 2165 Views
Re: I think the TV series handles the problematic Dany/Drogo relationship better
17/08/2012 06:40:12 AM
- 2052 Views
I think it messed it up by showing forced intercourse without the verbal consent Drogo DID obtain
17/08/2012 12:07:14 PM
- 2128 Views
I still find it difficult to read it as anything other than a coerced consent
17/08/2012 01:08:15 PM
- 1976 Views
A perpetrator-less crime then.
17/08/2012 07:26:26 PM
- 2114 Views
Exactly! I'm on board, Cannoli.
18/08/2012 07:45:56 PM
- 1974 Views
You are missing the point.
18/08/2012 11:11:33 PM
- 2085 Views
Re: You are missing the point.
19/08/2012 01:25:30 PM
- 2145 Views
The later books do add more context and change some of this
19/08/2012 12:08:49 AM
- 2022 Views
Jesus Christ another fucking thread about rape and fantasy.
19/08/2012 01:47:43 AM
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Perhaps if reading other people's views makes you so angry, you should avoid reading them? *NM*
19/08/2012 02:37:03 PM
- 1099 Views
Nonsense.
19/08/2012 03:33:39 PM
- 1046 Views
Fixed it for you.
19/08/2012 08:22:18 PM
- 1147 Views
Oh, but that takes us back to snoop being right, and I'm sorry, but I just cannot abide that.
19/08/2012 10:56:10 PM
- 1085 Views
Shake the sand out of your vagina bitch. *NM*
20/08/2012 06:35:32 AM
- 1056 Views
Gosh, this is really turning into something fun.
20/08/2012 07:15:01 AM
- 1202 Views
Here I was about to make a "whee misogyny" post. I never get to have fun. *NM*
20/08/2012 09:09:04 AM
- 935 Views
Huh. I just came to the odd realization...
20/08/2012 08:29:56 PM
- 1140 Views
Don't lock it!
21/08/2012 05:11:34 AM
- 1112 Views
Yes, I'm aware, or I might have locked it already.
21/08/2012 06:17:29 PM
- 986 Views
That is the best written and most insightful review of that book I have read
01/09/2012 05:38:00 PM
- 2051 Views
I forgot that I was supposed to read all threads to watch out for Bad Behaviour.
01/09/2012 11:09:52 PM
- 2254 Views