Globalization “broadly refers to the expansion of global linkages, the organization of social life on a global scale, and the growth of a global consciousness, hence to the consolidation of world society” (Lechner, 1). As the world continues to grow smaller and smaller and the connections between individuals and societies increase, many different cultural aspects become shared lending insight into the manner in which others live. Cultural differences are still present in today’s society, in spite of increasing globalization. One of the many ways in which this is present is through the discussion of that which is deemed acceptable and that which is perceived as taboo. As a result of cultural diversity and acceptance due to increasing globalization, an individual is not likely to think twice if they are told that something seemingly innocuous in their home country is acceptable behavior but is unacceptable in a different region. An individual who is used to the nude and topless beaches of Greece would not take offense to being told that no such beaches exist within the U.S. and that they will have to remain covered. When dealing with physical interactions associated with such matters of cultural taboos, the majority of individuals are accepting, yet these practices are rarely, if ever thought of when it comes to other forms of media. The fact of the matter is that different forms of media have different restrictions. A nude painting hanging in the Louvre is considered to be a work of art, while a photograph of a naked woman in Hustler is considered pornography; different forms of media have different associations and connotations. The same is true for books. The proposed research study will work to address the question of how taboo translates through literature across countries in modern times, specifically focusing on Feuchtgebiete by Charlotte Roche and Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James. The study will look at the differences between the acceptance levels of the two books within their own countries and how those books have been accepted or reviled in other countries as a result of their subject matter.
Feuchtgebiete is a German novel released in America under the title Wetlands. Receiving widespread popularity in Germany and Europe, the book still generated no small amount of controversy, being described as “taboo-busting” and touted as one of the most “disgusting” books written in recent years (Tisdale, 1). The book’s topics, when written out – menstruation, hemorrhoids, shaving, sex, bodily fluids, pimples, vomit, and prostitutes – all are different degrees of taboo depending on what is being done, whether or not it is being discussed, the context in which it is discussed, and the age group that is doing the discussion or attempting to engage in some form of associated act therewith.
Fifty Shades of Grey is a Twilight fan fiction that was turned into a published book, with all associated names and settings changed to prevent plagiarism of course, and published to worldwide interest. Some wanted to read it because of its still present resonances with the Twilight franchise, others wanted to read it because they heard it was an interesting read, still others had never read erotica and wanted to use this as their gateway book due to its increasing popularity and ease of access. The book is filled with “sexual prowess,” a “troubled past,” “emotional challenges with relationships,” and “love” (Brockway, 1). As before, when the subjects discussed by the book are written out, they seem remarkably tame, acceptable for discussion within any society. Yet in spite of the fact that the subject matter is sex, mostly BDSM sex (bondage domination sadism masochism), the matter is still perceived as taboo in many places, the very thought titillating and vaguely naughty. The book is to be released as a PG13 movie later this month.
As a result of these topics that are by most considered to be within the realm of taboo, their presence in printed book form, for neither could truly be elevated to the status of “novel” for their writing styles, poor grammar, and poor framing, is interesting. These are subjects that most people would not dream of speaking with a stranger about on the street, yet if the material is present in paper form, it is socially acceptable, though the actions themselves are not. These actions, some more accepted in certain places than in others, globally, are what make the subject matter intriguing. Two strangers from two different countries are able to read the same book about the same subject matter, and are able to discuss the material in the context of the book itself, but would never dream of speaking of the same outside of the context of the book.
As a result of the quixotic nature of this societal and cultural flaw, the paper will review the different materials contained within each of the books, look at the different cultural taboos present between the two countries or regions of origin, and allow for a determination as to the variations in cultural taboo that are present between the physical and the book format in the context of a geopolitical location. In working to understand how these different cultural taboos translate, it will be possible to gain a greater understanding of the manner in which globalization will be able to acknowledge, address, and work around the various cultural and social taboos present, thus providing an increased likelihood for ease of integration on a global scale.
- Brockway, Laurie. ”Fifty Shades Of Grey’ Controversy: The Difference Between Abuse And BDSM’. EverydayHealth.com.1, 2014. Web. 8 Feb. 2015.
- Lechner, Frank. ‘The Globalization Website – Issues’. Sociology.emory.edu. 1, 2001. Web. 8 Feb. 2015.
- Tisdale, Sallie. ‘Book Review – ‘Wetlands,’ By Charlotte Roche’. Nytimes.com. 1, 2009. Web. 8 Feb. 2015.
