Discussions
American Gothic
Posted by Stillthinking • 9/23/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: fiction, goths, politics, Stereotypes
Hi everyone!
I am dabbling a bit in fiction now and have posted a short story on my blog. I guess you could call it a fish out of water story and also a story where no one is quite what the others assume them to be.
"I pushed the door open and walked into the classroom, stomach tossing nervously. I flashed a wary smile at the small group gathered within and froze when I took in their unfriendly glares. I stood self-consciously in my white sundress with pink cardigan, cringing under their scrutiny. For an endless minute, they studied me in my Midwestern, plain-Jane preppiness, and I surreptitiously studied them in all of their Satanic glory. The room was a motley survey of punk style from the past 20 years from vintage pin-up girl to pierced eyebrows and tattoos. A youngish man with flat-ironed, cobalt blue hair and black, studded cuffs on his wrists refused to look at me.
I dubbed him Emo."
Come have a read and be sure to leave me lovely comments encouraging my dabbling.
www.unefilleamericaine.com
So, I also have a question for you.
What situations have you been in your life where you have misjudged or been misjudged based solely on assumptions based on appearance?
User Comments
-
I started to read it when you spammed twitter with it, but I fell asleep. It could have been that it was late, so I tried reading it again, and it was to long for my attention span.
For some reason, people think I'm incapable of intelligent thought. Oh and then people always think I'm high or on something.-
DB, my post on strippers held your attention all the way through. You need to lay off the weed and then maybe you can make it through an entire post.
As for thinking you're incapable of intelligent thought, the weed might contribute to that. You're already a handsome devil, all you need is sharply honed mind to take over the world. -
In my defense I only clicked it because you mentioned hot tits on twitter, so i was hoping for a post like that.
AND I have never smoked weed, so it is clearly just people being jealous. -
There were hot tits in my Red Hand Print post. I did not lie about that.
They have so much to be jealous of: your good looks, your natural charisma, your brilliance. You are a god amongst us mere mortals. -
And I read that one
-
-
I loved the post!!! Really cool!
I can remember when I first went to University. People thought I was this silent young girl, who didn't know a lot yet. Well I proved them otherwise. I was young compared to everyone else, but I did know a lot and had a creative influence in the essays and group assignments ^_^.
Judging people just by looks is so easily done. Sometimes it goes without thinking too much about it. Certain characteristics, type of clothing can all help placing people into a category.-
I was judged a lot as well when I first started architecture school. Of course, I made it worse by dressing like a debauched Catholic schoolgirl in kilts and cardigan sweaters.
-
Quite annoying huh!? You should be able to be who you are without thinking "Oh I can't wear this, I won't fit in the group or people will think differently about me"
But unfortunately this isn't changed that easily.
I love cardigan sweaters -
As I have gotten older, I care less about having a costume to portray who I want people to believe I am. In fact, at 33, I am far more comfortable now in my skin. There are things I am unhappy with, as all people have things they are unhappy with. But, I am less preoccupied with projecting an image now than I have ever been in the past.
-
Nicely said Still! I don't really follow fashion to begin with haha. There will always be things you would like to change, but no one is perfect. But it's true, in the end you have to be comfortable with yourself and not portraying an image others would like to see, but you're not comfortable with.
-
I actually have a fascination with fashion as an art form. I feel like high fashion is actually a moving, mixed media installation. I love to look at it, but at the same time, don't really feel the urge to LIVE in it.
I just recently saw "The September Issue" the documentary about Anna Wintour and what goes on behind the scenes at Vogue. It was incredibly fascinating, but when you see the women who work at Vogue, they're eccentric women you would have never guessed worked and basically guide fashion trends all over the world. -
That sounds like an really interesting documentary!
I had a friend who went to a prestige fashion school in Amsterdam, the 'AMFI'. And she said that there is such a complicated world of rules going on there. And you really have to feel comfortable to live and work in it.
She couldn't adjust herself to it, because her ideas and thoughts about the assignments didn't quite match the views of the teachers. Which were leaning more towards the commercial side. So she stopped after a year, because she started to lose her love for fashion. -
I once considered applying for a fashion design program when I was in high school and looking at colleges. I sometimes wonder what kind of life I would be living now if I had followed through with that particular dream. At the time, I was particularly inspired by the success of Vera Wang and other up and coming Asian designers.
Now, Asian designers are de rigeur.
-
-
I'm glad to see you're finding an outlet for your fiction pieces-- I'm always more than happy to encourage folks to act on their creative ideas like this.
You do write well, also-- you're good with description and tone in particular.
It's a funny thing that the revelation in the story is not that these folks are more likable than our story's heroine initially imagined-- it's that she seems to now have an additional reason not to like them, as she not only doesn't understand their way of dress, but their politics, too.
It's almost as if what she's learned in terms of not prejudging is that your innate instincts about people are right if not the details.-
I think you're right about that! I never thought about it that way.
When I wrote it, I was thinking about it more in the sense of she had certain assumptions about who they were based on how they dressed and the juxtaposition of gothic/punk identity with uber-conservative politics just felt like they were such strange bedfellows. -
I can see that, and did pick that up from the story. The tattoo detail was particularly startling.
-
Bizarrely enough, my story is based on a group I stumbled across online of Conservative punks and goths. The group is now defunct, but apparently, they once had a vibrant online community. Vibrant and large enough to cause consternation to liberal Goth communities.
-
On the internet there really is just a niche for everyone, isn't there?
I thought your choice of title was a particularly good choice for the story. -
Thank you! I had been tossing this story over in my brain for a couple of weeks now and only got around to writing it yesterday. I loved the idea of utilizing the conservative goths I had read about online and playing on the idea of appearances and stereotypes. I just couldn't quite get a grip on the words until last night though.
I finally just decided to let it go and write whatever popped into my head, no matter how ridiculous it might seem. The tattoo morphed from skull and crossbones with the motto underneath into a Confederate flag last night. I still am probably going to flesh out the story a bit more. I think the last few paragraphs after the revelation are a bit sparse and need more detail.
-
-
It's a pleasure to read the work of a talented writer. Your characters were indeed strange bedfellows once one explored the strange mix of ideologies they embraced, the clothing and accouterments they wore, their attitudes, and the main character's interaction with them via dialog. The title was a good one because it was descriptive and accurately portrayed the contents. The dialog between the characters was very well written, and the ending was also a satisfying one. I really enjoyed your story and I left you a comment.
-
Thanks TT. I really appreciate your lovely comments and your readership. I went back and forth whether or not to write in first person. I actually went through a couple of drafts where it was written in third person, hence the main character's name "Kate".
I think this story is going to undergo another edit and be fleshed out a bit more towards the end, but I am very happy that you enjoyed it!
-
-
I am quite perturbed that a thread asking what a 6 pac is doing better than my shameless blog promotion.
C'mon people!-
lol
-
These shameless blog promotions seem to be quite ineffective.
-
You need to include more T and A
-
In this thread or on my blog? Won't I be trodding on Lola's toes?
-
It might be because your summary and excerpt is kinda long.
Folks may not be making it to the discussion question just because it looks like a biggish block of text.
They're probably looking for the "and where do I come in" part and aren't seeing it right away. -
Both. T&A never hurt anyone.
-
Hmmm, if I take both TSR and DB's advice, I should just start another thread saying:
Hey Everyone!
My Super Hot Tits need your help. They had this amazing experience one day a while back involving blue hair, Goth music, Betty Page and a lack of personal boundaries!
Please come visit, read and comment. Tell me all ways people misunderstood you! -
Now you are getting it!
-
Heh-- amusingly, by George I think you almost have it.
-
If I add follow me and I will follow you, I should get hundreds of responses!
-
*head shake* Still you have much to learn... much to learn
-
Grrr. It's actually a fun little story. Not too long. Not too wordy. People would like it if they gave it a chance.
-
Desperation is a stinky cologne, Still.
Relax, they will visit. -
you need some marketing help...
In a land far far away *explosions* there was a girl on a mission *more explosions*. Satanic sacrifices *girl screaming*. A school full of goths *evil laugh*, what is she going to do? *pan out from her* Fight back *gun loading sound* *battle scene of the main girl shooting a bunch of goths* -
*sniffs armpits and cringes*
Whew, I'm off to take a shower to wash the bitterness off me.
-
-
I liked it, well done.
I don't have an answer for your question yet but will return after giving it more thought.-
Thanks Tia! I really appreciate you reading and commenting.
-
-
I am a woman...so all men assume I want them in my pants.
Off to read your blog.-
Ha! I must be doing something wrong, because I don't usually get that reaction. I wouldn't mind getting that reaction, even once in a while it would be nice. From someone not entirely repulsive would be even better. Especially if they also speak English.
-
It gets old. I swear, I carry a fork in my pocket for such occasions now. Sad.
-
It must suck to be so seriously hot
-
I'm with you ST, it would be nice to get that reaction once in a while. -
You want attention ladies? Come to the CO meetup in august, and I will give you some special dances
-
Oh god.
Sorry, needed to meet my "oh god" quota for the day. -
DB, I will only allow you to entertain me in such a manner as long as you wear a ludicrously small leopard print speedo and dance to the immortal melodies of Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me" while Mal sprays you with green jello. I will of course be video taping said performance and uploading it to you tube.
-
No camera's will be allowed. And the jello is only allowed if some one eats it. Because I won't allow jello to be wasted.
-
Sorry, DB. I'm not licking jello off you. Blech.
-
I didnt say it had to be you...
-
Your true love Epi is not participating in the BC camp out. She refuses to burden the environment with the carbon footprint of flying over the Atlantic. Besides, the camp out is going to be mostly dreadful Americans and she hates that.
I think we might be able to get Voodoo to lick the jello off you or perhaps if we get Claire intoxicated enough, she will stop vomiting long enough to consume some jello off your rippling pecs. -
If not, I will just go wander off in the woods and have the animals do it. Or find some drunk sorority girls.
-
Drunk sorority girls don't camp, and I would be careful about approaching moose to lick you clean. They might take a little nibble where you don't want teeth touching.
-
Drunk Kansas sorority girls camp. I'm sure the coloridians also follow suit.
I aint worried about no moose. -
Well, if they're really drunk, we'll spray you down in vodka spiked jello to make you even more appealing to those sorority girls. After all, everyone should enjoy the miracle that is DB, not just BC'ers.
-
I don't want the vodka to adsorb into my system. By the time this commences I will probably be pretty loaded. And there will most likely be a fire, and I don't want to catch myself on fire
-
There will most certainly be a fire, and I never once considered such a thing. No, I don't want you to wander around the campsite a walking fire hazard.
-
You trying to kill me doesn't help your chances of not being accidentally knocked into the river.
-
I can't believe that you would do that to me. I would never do such a thing to you. I am concerned for your safety above all else.
-
It's ok, I'm an EMT(almost). I can save you. And you will have a life jacket and probably a helmet
-
Well, I feel safer already!
-
You should!
-
-
I have been in the right category, the nerd category, all my life. As I mentioned in a thread before I was kind of a children-nerd-celebrity in my hometown because of a local TV show. So, everyone from my generation had the idea of me being a big nerd even before getting to know me.
Online though I have been mistaken by an ultra-conservative Catholic, then dismissed as a non-enough-Catholic. I was also called closed-minded because I didn't want to date a guy that smoke pot regularly.-
Hasn't anyone told you that Nerdy is the new cool? Plus, you seem like a fun loving gal (you always seem to be smiling in your photos), it won't be long before you meet another geeky fellow who will love you for you. Plus, the guys worth chasing after like the smart ones.
Oh Deray, I HAVE dated the guy who smokes pot regularly (and takes X and drinks non-stop) and believe me, outside of the regular mediocre sex, being alone was A LOT better.
By the way, I have also been a nerd for most of my life. In my twenties, I gave myself a make-over and reinvented myself rather successfully. It doesn't take much to change your image if you're so inclined, but the important thing is what is on the inside.
And from what I have seen from my interactions with you, you've got everything it takes to be truly happy in your life. -
Thanks ST, you are very kind!
About the pot-guy, what you are telling is exactly what I figured on my online interactions with him, that's why I decided not to meet him. He acted like a real jerk when he found out that I have never done drugs nor do I want to.
When it comes to my image, I don't care about what other people say. As long as I feel comfortable with what I'm wearing I'm fine. I'm definitely not comfortable wearing nice clothes and high heel shoes to go to the lab. However, I'm quite good at doing my hair and makeup so, I can make a 180 degree turn when I need to but, I only do it on special occasions I like people (especially guys, of course) to notice the difference between everyday me and night-out me, jajajaja. -
Well, at least you never actually got involved with him in person and had the good sense to get out while you could.
I can't imagine anyone not thinking you are delightful.
-
-
The he'll does emo mean?-
Emo is pop culture term for a punk kid who is "emotional."
They used to called Goths. -
Emo and goth aren't the same. (from what they tell me) Emo are little cry babies in girl pants, where as goths are more 'hardcore' and not cry babies. This is from what I have been told. They are both stupid in my opinion.
-
Bahahahaha! They do kind of wear girl pants.
-
No kind of, they do. They buy their pants in the girl section.
-
Those skinny black jeans hanging off their butts.
-
-
I've been mistaken for a film star on some occasions - for example when I wore my best jacket and tried asking for directions while driving my bike-
Well, that's a pleasant mistake. Which film star may I ask?
-
Not any in particular..
-
-
Still,
I must protest..
Emos are [makes strangled noises].... NOT.GOTHS. They are the debased epigones of Goths.
Emos are to Goths what Coldplay are to Radiohead, what Judith Butler is to Hegel, what Plekhanov is to Marx, what Commodus is to Marcus Aurelius, what T.V. adaptations of Jane Austen novels are to Jane Austen novels.
...But you get the idea.
Best,
[and anticipating that that guy whose avatar is Brandon Lee from the Crow will have even more to say on this...]
Mal-
I understand...emos are goth-lite.
That being said, I LIKE Coldplay and Radiohead. Sometimes, Radiohead is a little hard to take, though I think they are brilliant and original. I will take your word on Judith Butler and Plekhanov.
The only Commodus I know of is the Joaquin Phoenix depiction in "Gladiator," a movie that is somewhat pornographic for most women, so chock full of dirty, sexy muscular men. Story, what story? That movie was so full of eye-candy that any historical accuracy goes right out the window. Marcus Aurelius? You mean the wizened old man who is strangled early on?
TV Jane Austen adaptations can be quite delightful! I point to the very best version of "Pride and Prejudice", the BBC miniseries starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as a sterling example of an adaptation that captures all the emotional richness and sparkle of the novel. Of course, there is the dreadful "Mansfield Park" adaptation starring Billie Piper as Fanny Price that does support your arguement.
*cringes*
-
-
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Polybore once worked for a charity providing support to people who needed help due to their mental health. Anyway after a long and busy nightshift the doorbell to the hostel rang. Polybore answered the door, it was the community nurse on a visit. She said...
"Could I speak to the lady that looks after you?"-
Ha! Excellent, no one's life is truly complete until someone questions your emotional sanity. I've had mine questioned many times.
-
hahaha
-
-
More than once but one example is after 911. Since I am Italian & had a gotee some people must have assumed I looked like a potential terrorist. I happened to be traveling a bit in the months afterward and got plenty of stares & jumpy people next to me on planes. Also, got pulled aside more often to be checked by the airport staff. I just took it all in stride. What can you do. Some people just perceive based on looks and often this can lead them astray. There is a great book on this topic called Blink by Malcom Gladwell.-
I have been meaning to read "Blink" and now that you've brought it up, I will have to run out and finally pick it up.
I think you were not alone as far as being treated suspiciously after 9/11. I have a friend who is Iraqi who was quite nervous to fly after 9/11, not because of fear of terrorism, but out of fear of being singled out by Homeland Security.
-
Add Your Comment
Login to leave a message.
