The Cathartic Function of Reliving / Retelling of Rape: Cody McFadyen’s Smoky Barrett and Winnie M Li’s Vivian Tan

Abstract

The undeniable fact is that rape – perceived as one of the most common shapes of brutality in the cultural history of humankind – has been, as it is asserted by Georges Vigarello, the social phenomenon whose proper assessment in history changes depending on the dominant paradigm of power and on norms thereto related. Historically, the Spanish conquistadors were motivated to beget children by indigenous women; Edward the Longshanks is famous for reinstating jus prima noctis in Scotland so as to warrant an unvarying admixture of English genes to the Scottish bloodlines; slave owners were permitted to legally breed slaves by raping women they possessed. Moreover, throughout history, war rapes have been perceived to be a standard rather than an abnormality.