After watching the best, most exciting episode of what has been a somewhat trying season, we’re back with another look at sex and gender issues in HBO’s True Blood. If you like what you see, make sure to check out our earlier articles, which include a discussion of the show’s sexual conservatism, Sookie’s dual nature and more.
We explored the True Blood’s witches a few weeks back, looking at the ways in which they represented a feminine response to aggressive, masculine sexuality, which included, of course, mentally castrating Eric. But seeing as how central Marnie and the rest of her practicing Wiccans have become to the show’s plot, and the developments of last night, we think that the witches of True Blood deserve a little more discussion.
Since we first wrote about the struggle between witches and vampires, we’ve learned that Antonia, the witch possessing Marnie, was raped by vampires in her former life, which mirrors Tara’s own experience with the bloodsuckers. More importantly, however, is Antonia/Marnie’s response to the vampire threat: Mind control.
Just as the vampires of True Blood embody the worst, most feared aspects of male sexuality (physical aggression and rape perpetrated by a more physically powerful attacker), the witches themselves display abilities that are often attributed to female sexuality, albeit in less literal ways. Though the witches cannot hope to overpower their attackers physically, they nonetheless pose a clear threat to the vampires, due to their ability to force them to act against their will.
The idea that women can somehow control the minds of men is not anything new, and in fact, has been used by various religious groups as an excuse for the oppression of women for centuries, if not longer. In fact, it’s often the root fear that leads to accusations of witchcraft and the occult – the idea that women can somehow force men to act against their own will, just as Eve first seduced Adam into sin.
But unlike many examples of the “mind controlling woman” trope, Marnie and friends are understandable, if not completely justified, in their actions. When True Blood is at its best is when the show turns accepted notions of sex and gender on their heads, steps back and watches what happens – like pairing Hoyt up with virginal vampire Jessica. Here, True Blood allows its witches to reappropriate a trope often used to misogynistic ends, and instead offers it as an opportunity to empower women with a way to defend themselves from a previously unbeatable threat.
What do you think about the characterization of the witches in True Blood? Is giving the very feminine group mind control powers simply an extension of a misogynistic trope, or does it go beyond cliché by giving the ability a positive spin, and arguable noble goal?
Make sure to tell us what you think in the comments below, and then clear time in your schedule to watch True Blood this Sunday at 9pm on HBO. We’ll be back here next Monday to talk about the show and hear your thoughts.
We explored the True Blood’s witches a few weeks back, looking at the ways in which they represented a feminine response to aggressive, masculine sexuality, which included, of course, mentally castrating Eric. But seeing as how central Marnie and the rest of her practicing Wiccans have become to the show’s plot, and the developments of last night, we think that the witches of True Blood deserve a little more discussion.
Since we first wrote about the struggle between witches and vampires, we’ve learned that Antonia, the witch possessing Marnie, was raped by vampires in her former life, which mirrors Tara’s own experience with the bloodsuckers. More importantly, however, is Antonia/Marnie’s response to the vampire threat: Mind control.
Just as the vampires of True Blood embody the worst, most feared aspects of male sexuality (physical aggression and rape perpetrated by a more physically powerful attacker), the witches themselves display abilities that are often attributed to female sexuality, albeit in less literal ways. Though the witches cannot hope to overpower their attackers physically, they nonetheless pose a clear threat to the vampires, due to their ability to force them to act against their will.
The idea that women can somehow control the minds of men is not anything new, and in fact, has been used by various religious groups as an excuse for the oppression of women for centuries, if not longer. In fact, it’s often the root fear that leads to accusations of witchcraft and the occult – the idea that women can somehow force men to act against their own will, just as Eve first seduced Adam into sin.
But unlike many examples of the “mind controlling woman” trope, Marnie and friends are understandable, if not completely justified, in their actions. When True Blood is at its best is when the show turns accepted notions of sex and gender on their heads, steps back and watches what happens – like pairing Hoyt up with virginal vampire Jessica. Here, True Blood allows its witches to reappropriate a trope often used to misogynistic ends, and instead offers it as an opportunity to empower women with a way to defend themselves from a previously unbeatable threat.
What do you think about the characterization of the witches in True Blood? Is giving the very feminine group mind control powers simply an extension of a misogynistic trope, or does it go beyond cliché by giving the ability a positive spin, and arguable noble goal?
Make sure to tell us what you think in the comments below, and then clear time in your schedule to watch True Blood this Sunday at 9pm on HBO. We’ll be back here next Monday to talk about the show and hear your thoughts.
God gave us free. God never control Human Beings’ minds.
Only Satan and his supporters wanted to control human beings' thoughts.
Mind control weapons were the most important weapons that Satan, Beasts and their followers owned and they were also used to torture and abuse innocent civilians.
Nazi was the first developer of mind control weapons. With the help of Satan, they even wanted to conquer all over the world. Even Nazi was destroyed, but their mind control weapons had spread out to all over the world.
More followers of Dragon and Beast started to research and develop mind control weapons and they also used their mind control weapons to abuse and torture innocents secretly.
Mind control technologies are weapons which use drugs, electronic microchip implants, nanotechnologies, microwaves and /or electromagnetic waves to subvert an individual's sense of control over their own thinking, behavior, emotions or decision making by attacking the brain and nervous system.
The development of mind control methods and technologies has a long history.
Nazi researchers used concentration camp inmates to test a cocaine-based "wonder drug" they hoped would enhance the performance of German troops.
([https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/mind-control-drug] )
There is plenty of evidence that confirms the existence of Mk-ultra, America's Central Intelligence Agency mind control project.
([https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/proof-mkultra-exists] )
Many Researchers, using nanotechnologies have developed implantable electronic chips that establish new nerve connections in the parts of the brain that control movement or even alter emotion and thought.
([https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/information-about-brain] )
In 2002, the Air Force Research Laboratory patented precisely such a technology: Nonleghal weapon which includes (1) a neuro-electromagnetic device which uses microwave transmission of sound into the skull of persons or animals by way of pulse-modulated microwave radiation; and (2) a silent sound device which can transmit sound into the skull of person or animals. NOTE: The sound modulation may be voice or audio subliminal messages. One application of Voice to Skull is use as an electronic scarecrow to frighten birds in the vicinity of airports. Many mind control victims also have claimed to be harassed by Voice to Skull technologies.
([https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/introduce-v2k-voice-to-skull] )
It is possible nowadays to read someone's mind by remotely measuring their brain activity, researchers have shown. This technique can even extract information from individuals that they are unaware of themselves.
( [https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/information-about-mind-reading] )
It is sometimes hard for victims to find evidence of microwave or electromagnetic mind control technology. However, some news articles are starting to report the development of government mind control weapons.
( [https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/introduce-mind-control-and] )
Microwave or electromagnetic mind control technology, even can attack you through satellites; or through TV , Mobile transmission Towers
( [https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/satellite-surveillance] )
Patents also indicate the existence of mind control technologies.
( [https://peacepink.ning.com/forum/topics/mind-control-patents] )
I wish to file my lawsuits to against government who covered such horrible mind control weapons (and Directed Energy Weapons) abuses and tortures.
[https://peacepink.ning.com/profiles/blogs/some-lawsuits-filed-by]
Kidnapped by Mind Control Weapons, and Sent to US Embassy in Hong Kong
[https://peacepink.ning.com/profiles/blogs/kidnapped-by-mind-control]
@Soleilmavis - You're awesome. I'm putting "mind control" in every piece I write from now on.
That's a really interesting observation you made about the vampires representing male sexuality vs. witches as female sexuality. The show's thematic undertones are usually very obvious to me but that is one that had not crossed my mind.
This is a really great series you have going on. I can't wait to read more.