When I first began thinking about a modern day “rake” the movie Cruel Intentions came to mind. In the film, the lead male character, Sebastian, makes a game of tricking girls into losing their virginity. Sebastian is a wealthy socialite from the upper eastside who has always had everything he wants: the trendiest clothes, the newest car, and all the girls. The plot of the movie surrounds a bet Sebastian has made with his equally manipulative stepsister, Kathryn. The bet consists of taking the new girl in towns’ virginity before the summer is up. Sebastian does everything he can to persuade her to let go of her virtue, and to a certain extent, succeeds.
Sebastian, the “rake” seemed similar to Florio in “On Seduction”. In both cases, the male character was attracted by the female innocence and set out to conquer her. In the earlier text, Belinda’s “artless simplicity made the conquest easy to this skillful deceiver”. In Cruel Intentions, the innocent female seemed to have a stronger personality and was more certain of her morals, making it difficult for Sebastian to use his wit and manipulative charm to win the bet.
Being a native of Dallas, when thinking of modern day rakes in my life the yuppies in uptown are the first thing I think of. These men are always attempting to impress girls by flaunting their cars, clothes, and cash. It seems pretty pathetic to me. They do everything they can to flatter a girl in hopes that they will get the girl to come home with them at the end of the night. These men seemed similar to the rakes descried in “Melancholy Tale of Seduction”. In this text they are described as not “having the merit of a coward, for he attempts the life of his enemy; nor had you the tenderness of a brave man, for he weeps over the wound he has made.” This description of a self-centered man can certainly relate to not only the men of the past, but men today as well.
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3 comments:
We think alike! I thought about Sebastian from Cruel Intentions too! He really is the epitome of a rake. I remember watching the movies and thinking his character was so attractive and disgusting at the same time. I am glad I have not met anyone like him, because he played the part so well I think it would be easy to be deceived!
Cruel Intentions is such a good example - I wish I would have thought about that! I loved to hate Sebastian in the movie. Him being so bad is kind of what made him so hot. But then in the end when he became good, or at least tried to, that made him even more good looking. Great movie.
Sebastian is such a good example! I love that movie. And I agree that compared with the texts we've read, women today do seem much more stronger both mentally and morally and better equipped to handle these "rakes" than the innocent "woe is me" type females in the readings.
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