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Continued from this page.
Dominance/submission: There is a definite sado-masochistic element to Joker and Harley's relationship along with the obvious Dominant/submissive dynamic. I feel that over the years Harley has learned to enjoy the pain Joker inflicts on her physically, because his engagement with her would rarely be normal. There is, after all, a fine line between pleasure and pain and pain that he causes her is still him touching her and taking notice of her. There might be an exception to this when he is furious with her and lashing out, but generally I think Harley derives joy from his punches as from his caresses, not least because he would enjoy it. Harley probably rationales it as attention, and an awareness of her in his space. It is possible there is a delirium in it for Harley, to be an object upon which Joker can express himself, to offer herself up as a canvas of sorts. Reviewing the relationship as a whole and placing it strictly within a D/s context, it fits in very much with a typical D/s relationship: In the Dominant role, Joker gives Harley a sense of self (despite obliterating her “normal” persona) and purpose, he creates for her scenarios through which she may act out her role as his submissive, acting out his will (whether this be crimes, tasks, sexual play or a punching bag) and he is extreme, in control, and in his own way, nurturing of Harley. He encourages her behaviour and coddles her on occasion with baby talk and petting. In the submissive role, Harley is able to coerce Joker’s attentions, whether pleasurable and positive or not, as well as the attention of others (as Joker’s girlfriend) and gratify her own needs to please by constantly striving to fulfil Joker’s (and perhaps, sub-consciously, deliberately making mistakes when she is not getting the attention she craves). Within Joker’s world of chaos, Harley can absolve herself of responsibility for the things she does or for her life in general and simply concede herself to Joker’s wants and needs, allowing him to direct her. (4) The difference between this and most D/s relationships, however, is that it is not mere roleplay nor have the boundaries been discussed and set, and in a manner of speaking, it is non-consensual in that it lacks the self-awareness that a typical D/s relationship has. It is played absolutely as real-life, rather than an ongoing fantasy. There is also a hint of a Daddy/girl dynamic between them, another popular relationship exchange in the BDSM community. Operating on a slightly different level to D/s it involves the Dominant partner playing the role of the 'Daddy' - the authority figure and the guardian and controller, and the submissive partner the 'girl' - usually enacted in an immature, playful and dependent way. The point made above, of Joker’s insane world allowing Harley to abandon responsibility, also fits into this dynamic. Although we have seen Harley is capable of great determination and focus, we also see a somewhat flaky personality, more fond of having fun and getting things done the easy way. Possibly her life as a psychiatrist and of being a ‘grown-up’ was a stress she couldn’t handle. With Joker setting and defining the parameters of her world, she is once more free to play the child, gratifying her desires heedless of societal laws and guidelines, and of only having him to answer to. Of course, Joker refers to himself as 'Daddy' when he talks to Harley, but this does not mean the roles are formalised between them, more that the dynamic simply exists. Joker can be very indulgent and coddling of Harley as well as ‘disciplining’ her when he sees it as called for. This article has discussed at length the relationship from Joker's perspective for the reason that it is the one in question; we all know Harley adores him and loves him utterly. But it is still worth discussing: will Harley ever get over him? Will she ever truly shake off the infatuation and overriding passion and regain her sanity and a normal life? I have to say: No. Abusive Relationships and Stockholm Syndrome: The relationship is similar to both an Abuser/abusee relationship and to the Stockholm Syndrome, but I feel it goes far beyond both. Abusers will generally wear down their victim's self-esteem and self-respect, teaching the abusee that their lives are worthless without them there. Often an abused will not leave a relationship out of fear of retaliation. Harley’s life is in more danger when she is with Joker than when she is not. And whilst Joker frequently insults, belittles and undermines her, this is usually him following his rampant emotional trail through rather than a concerted attempt at manipulation. Nonetheless it does ultimately have the same effect on Harley’s psyche. Stockholm Syndrome involves a captive becoming romantically attached to their captor; Harley is definitely a captive of Joker's in a way, trapped by her love for him and sucked deeply into his world of insanity and chaos; however she is there voluntarily. So yes, there are many shared elements between both situations, but the relationship could not be said to be precisely one or the other. For the extent to which Harley has taken her devotion goes further than those patterns. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest Harley was involved in abusive relationships in her past, or indeed that she was anything but in control of most interactions with men she encountered. From everything we've seen, Harley was well-adjusted and had a privileged upbringing. There is no past evidence to indicate why she chose The Joker, one of the most feared and dangerous criminals of her world, to fall in love with. Not just in love, but dangerously, obsessively infatuated with. So passionately enamoured, that she gave up her privileged life and followed him on his path of destruction. Harley has shed blood and aided Joker in truly horrendous acts. She endures a chaotic life where her life is essentially always in danger, and does it cheerfully because it is paramount to her to be near her love. Continued... (4) contributed by the_satyr_icon |
