Kink and Fetish’s Role in Literature: BDSM, History, and It’s Role in Dark Romance
“The erotic is a measure between the beginnings of our sense of self and the chaos of our strongest feelings…for having experienced the fullness of this depth of feeling and recognizing its power, in honor and self-respect we require no less of ourselves.”
“The Uses of Erotic: The Erotic as Power” – Audre Lorde
Okay, dear readers let me set the mood; let’s light a fancy candle, turn on your favorite tune, and dust off the pizza delivery men outfits because today—we’re talking kink and fetishes. This is the type of content we-the-people go feral for in books and media, but don’t you ever wonder why? I wanted to sit and talk about it for a moment; let’s chat history, get into the context of kink and fetish within literature, and why it’s so popular for readers.
Kink and Fetish in Literature
Starting off, we should establish some clear distinctions between kink and fetish. The basic definition of kink is the, “sexual behavior or practice that falls outside of standard sexual practices” (Master Class, 2022). Whereas fetish, “refers to a specific object, sexual or nonsexual body part, or behavior that must be present for one to achieve sexual arousal and enjoyment” (Master Class, 2022). So what does all that mean? With a kink, it’s usually an object or a sexual practice that falls outside the standard missionary-and-soak we know and love. However with fetishism, the sexual or non-sexual object or practice must be present during the deed for, “the final crescendo”, to be achieved or else it’s done-zo for the orgasm train. While these two areas of focus cannot be likened, we tend to see overlap of the two within literature due to how authors utilize them interchangeably in stories.
The depiction of sex in literature has been a debated topic that dates back far before any of us could tell the difference between our fingers and toes. For many, Fifty Shades of Grey, was the starter kit to how kink appeared in literature, but I promise folks, kink and fetish has been an age-old friend to us horny creatures. Examples like, Venus in Furs by Austrian author Leopold Von Sacher-Masoch, Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu, Erotique Noire by Miriam DeCosta-Willis, and Petronius’ Satyricon are few of many examples where writers explored the concept of human sexuality, and the multilayered demonstrations of such in literature.
Spoken of in the book, Kinky History, PhD candidate and kinky historian Esmé Louise James, examines the historic relationship between pornography and literature. She states that, “the genre transformed its original vision as a socially disruptive and conversational art form.” She also adds references to the cultural impact of the erotic work by John Cleland-Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure-which was a 17th century publication played by taking Europe by storm (James, pg. 215, 2024). The book contained depictions of sexual escapades and kinky stories from a European woman named Fanny Hill, and was one of many pioneering literary works that depict sexual escapades—with some versions containing explicit illustrations. The usage of explicit material has always been a controversial practice since the dawn of time—and not simply for the fact that it can make a grandmother clutch her pearls, but in how it arouses the reader to confront the status quo.
Funnily enough, even the condemnation of smut isn’t a new age phenomenon, as haters transcend time and space. Using the same example of the, Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure, on the day of its publication there was, “a devastating earthquake [that] struck London,” and the Bishop of the time declared it the, “wrath of God”, due to the contents being, “the lewdest thing [he] ever saw” (James, 2024). Now, if the contents of sexual pleasures and lifestyles cause so much ire, why do writers take the plunge and allow their characters to depict such lasciviousness?
Well, because the haters can spark as much outcry for their crusade against whom they deem the hedonistic, addicted heathens…but sex will always be a part of human nature’s experience.
Readers explore the depths of their experiences as a way to define the unconscious desires we hold. And I’m not just talking the need for feet pictures babes, I’m talking something deeper. Like our desires for freedom, expression, emotional understanding, and things of the like. Kink and fetish within literature implore readers to reflect on the experiences that transcend language and talk. It explores connection and the erotic depths of liberation.
So yes, my friend, kink and fetish is more than just material for us to exercise ourselves. That waking daydream of getting hogtied, exploring voyeurism, or even being presented for public play, all translate as unconscious desires for social rebellion. Now, I don’t want to go down the Freudian theory train that all desires root from an underlying sexual repression. Especially, since there’s not enough time in a day when discussing how Freudian theory roots from the idea that we all want to sex up our moms…so let’s just focus on the idea of unconscious thought being reflected in our conscious actions-writing in this instance.
The Reward of Reading About Kink & Fetish
The ways in which we see kink and fetish within the dark romance genre can be analyzed by how it’s used within literary devices. These devices can offer a reward for readers in the long-run. Through reading about characters who explore their sexuality within settings varying from specific kinks or fetishes, the reader shares in the gratification gained by the accomplishment of a successful scene and can even take from those experiences similar growth. Don’t worry, I’ll break it down with an example, that way we can contextualize better.
For this example, let’s focus on the usage of contracts within BDSM settings and how they act as a literary device for foundation building in relationships. The use of a contract is something that sets clear boundaries, limitations, and areas of discussions for the parties involved. Both, within the BDSM lifestyle setting and in literature, it not only serves the purpose of safe practice, but further establishes how the characters seek security within a newly formed relationship. Think of the dark cowboy romance, Sovereign by Raya Morris Edwards. The book follows Keira Garrison, a widowed ranch owner who makes a deal with infamous ranch mogul, Gerard Sovereign, to work out her debts. Their relationship is based on the foundation of a contract, and we see the male main character, Gerard Sovereign state his explicit need for a contract with the female main character Keira Garrison before he could, “sink with her into the type of intimacy [Sovereign] understand. One with structure. Rules to keep her safe.” (Morris Edwards, pg. 69, 2024).
Now, based on the context of this book—which I highly recommend because the book was freaking stellar—we can see how the use of a contract served as an act of security saught by the dominant for both himself and his partner. Without giving spoilers, Sovereign is a character that withstood traumatic experiences that shifted his conception of average, brick-and-mortar romantic connections. So, in an attempt to establish exclusive bonding with Keira, we see the use of the contract as a form of bond fortification.
In this scene specifically, the contract is for not only establishing boundaries and ensuring the safety of the parties involved, but it also serves as a motif for safety precaution in order to explore the intangible connection Gerard craves with Keira. Sovereign sought security within this dynamic with Keira not solely for the sake of BDSM boundaries, but emotional fortitude and reassurance. He did this so that he could express his affections in a form that felt safe for him and afforded Keira pleasurable safety zones. From this scene, readers can comprehend the emotional release while maintaining the idea of boundaries. Such a scene in this writing provides positive stimulus that feeds a reader’s reward systems.
How Kink and Fetish Impact Emotional Response
Kink and fetish within the dark romance genre additionally affords readers the opportunity to explore their emotional responses through reading these intimate scenarios. It’s just that thing that always hit right.
What is that thing you ask? Dacryphilia? Primal Chases? Impact play? CNC? Rope? Taboo scenes? Latex? Spit? Somnophilia? Feet worship? Muscles?
No, you filthy animal…while I like your style, it’s emotional connection!
Some read spicy literature for the sake of entertainment, many seek second hand connectivity from these characters, and for others, it affords them the opportunity to find healing. Whatever the endgame, we all get to enjoy the connectivity we gain at the end of the day.
A qualitative analysis was done on the positive aspects of BDSM and kink and how it helps some demographics of trauma survivors. In the study, a sample of twenty women who participate in kink activity with a history of abuse and mental health support, provided gained insight on how, “drawing on kink-concurrent therapy and kink community norms…strengthened internal constructs, which had been harmed, exploited, or distorted during early abusive experiences” (Cascalheira et al., pg. 13, 2021). One of the subjects of the study, Micala described how, “the [BDSM] community has been a great resource for me coping with a lot of the shame and horrible feelings surrounding my abuse that I, you know grew up with” (Cascalheira et al., pg. 13, 2021). From this study, we can acknowledge the freedom that sexual exploration within the kink world provides its practitioner. They gain both, autonomy and freedom, through the structures of boundary and the destigmatization of sexual shame. Hence, why readers gravitate towards the content. The opportunity for the reader to see someone exercise their autonomy, deconstruct depths of societal shame, and reclaim their joy affords both the reader and writer an outlet. These spicy chapters in dark romance are not only hot as hell, but afford us an outlet for emotional expression.
As a reader who loves literature with erotic undertones and dark romance featuring fetish and kink, these stories mean far more than what the majority tends to account it for. The spicy content we consume that ranges from story to story are in no way any reader’s way of, “asking for it,” —because it’s pertinent to understand reading spicy content is never equivalent to consent or harassment—nor does reading spicy stories support an unhealthy practice of sexuality. In those masked, primal chase scenes, I find not just some hot scenes, but souls finding themselves in moments where they’re reminded that they’re worshipped and worthy of unbridled desire. From those knotting scenes in omegaverse tales, to the lighter spice scenes that depict the characters cuddling with a dash of cock-warming, readers can find a deeper meaning from the intimacy.
The scenes goes beyond just the surface to allow readers of all identities and walks of life a complex perspective of intimacy that connects within our souls. Whether it’s expressing affection through quality time or depicting a character showing submission through a humble goddess worship scene, there’s a connection found within these scenes that resonate with all who read them. The function of kink features a language of tone, symbolism, and beauty that makes the reader feel something more, demonstrating a beautiful artistry in the literature.