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4-23-2015
Love, Sex, and Feminism: A Critique of Fifty Shades of Grey Love, Sex, and Feminism: A Critique of Fifty Shades of Grey
Katherine Argo
Dordt College
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Love, Sex, and Feminism: A Critique of Fifty Shades of Grey
Katherine E. Argo
Dordt College
KSP 110 - Seminar
Dr. Mary Dengler
Spring 2015
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As you read this paper have an open mind and push back. Understand that I do not
recommend Fifty Shades of Grey for the purpose of pure enjoyment but for the purpose of
understanding what society is reading. Everyone, on some level, is exposed to Fifty Shades of
Grey. We encounter and minister to a population that struggles with their identity, and they turn
to a genre of books that satisfy their carnal desires. Fifty Shades of Grey is not a piece of
distinguished literature, but it has captivated almost 100 million consumers. Fifty Shades of Grey
is a part of society now and Christians need to be aware of both the good and the bad found in
the book so that they can push back against society’s perspective. With so many negative book
reviews from Christians on the market, there needs to be some balance, if it is at all possible.
With the help of a fine-tooth comb, readers can discover that the plot and characters of Fifty
Shades of Grey are altogether intriguing, familiar, and dynamic; however, the plot is
overshadowed by the poor literary elements of linguistics, sentence structure, and imagery.
When the topic of Fifty Shades of Grey comes around in conversation the typical
response is one of shock and disgust: “That book is just a load of housewife pornography, and
exemplifies an abusive relationship.” While I am not denying these facts, I must emphasize that
there is more than what meets the eye. Stripped down to the bones, Fifty Shades of Grey is a
story about deception, love, revenge, and redemption. It is a plot line similar to that of many
other books on the shelves of the library: boy meets girl, they fall in love, girl gets hurt, boy wins
girl back, trouble ensues, love conquers all, and they live happily ever after (van Reneen 227). It
is this simple plot line that continues to captivate the attention of society.
The first book, Fifty Shades of Grey, centers on the sexual preferences of Christian and
the way he draws Ana to him by using her curiosity of sex. When Ana asks for more than sex in
their relationship, Christian tries because he is captivated by Ana, but at this point it is nearly
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impossible for him to give up his sexual lifestyle. It is his lifestyle that allows him to feel in
control. Christian is involved in a BDSM sexual lifestyle – Bondage/Discipline,
Sadism/Masochism, Dominant/submissive. By the end of book one, Ana gives in to Christian’s
lifestyle because it is the only way that he opens up to her. Therefore, Christian goes all in and
punishes Ana, using a belt. There is a fine line between pain and pleasure, which is the breaking
point for Ana, and she leaves Christian; she recognizes his abusive behavior.
Book two, Fifty Shades Darker, goes beyond the covers and into the hearts of the
characters. Sex continues to remain a major part of the book, but after being left by Ana and
feeling devastated, Christian no longer feels the need to live out his lifestyle, if it means he can
be with Ana. He shows that he cares by sharing part of his life story with her, by sharing his
family with her, by taking her on his sail boat, and by buying Jose’s pictures of Ana. As Ana and
Christian get back together, they are joined by one of Christian’s ex-submissives, Leila. Leila is
looking for revenge to the point that she threatens Ana’s life and Christian has to come to the
rescue. The next major event that happens is that Christian’s helicopter, Charlie Tango, is
sabotaged. He makes a crash landing and finds his way home to discover that everyone one has
thought he died and was worried, feelings that Christian is unfamiliar with. This event brings
Christian and Ana closer together, allowing Christian to open up another part of himself.
Christian proposes to Ana and Ana accepts him unconditionally.
Again, the plot thickens in book three, Fifty Shades Freed, as the lives of the entire Grey
family are threatened and Christian is forced to face his past. Part of the Grey House is set on fire
by suspected arson. Ana discovers that the perpetrator is Jack Hyde, her former employer that
made a pass at her. Jack attempts to kidnap Ana, but he fails and is caught. Ana becomes
pregnant but Christian cannot cope with her pregnancy; they are at odds. Jack is given bail and
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kidnaps Mia Grey, Christian’s sister. Next, Jack communicates only with Ana and sets ransom
for $5 million. Ana does not tell Christian and makes Christian believe that she is leaving him.
She saves Mia and is beaten badly by Jack. After the event, Christian reconciles with Ana,
accepts the baby, and opens himself fully and willingly to Ana.
From a literary standpoint, the Fifty Shades trilogy is a disappointment. Looking strictly
at linguistics, the prose is written very simply, a simplicity that has its pros and cons. By writing
character’s speech in simple language, E.L. James appeals to a broader audience, creating an
easy read. The idea behind romance fiction is that the books provide a fast and entertaining plot
that does not require too much thought. Additionally, the language is considered simple because
the sentences are short and the language emulates that of a sixteen-year-old, not a twenty-year-
old. Fifty Shades is written for the adult population; therefore, having characters sound as if they
are sixteen-years-old is slightly degrading for readers. Granted, the language James uses in her
book does not appear in a daily conversation at work, but the language she uses is the speech of
thought patterns. For example, individuals often think to themselves and make comments in their
mind about the environment around them. These “mind comments” may be short, clipped, and
cliché just as Ana’s comments are in the book.
Secondly, James tries to employ the use of imagery throughout her book. Imagery can be
a very effective tool, allowing readers to experience what the characters see, feel, and sense,
enhancing the effect of an escapist book. To name a few examples, the color of Christian’s eyes
are repeatedly mentioned, how and where Christians hands move are explained, the scene is
always described vividly including the color of the sheets and the location of objects within the
room. Readers are transported off of their couch and into the chairs at Grey’s Escala breakfast
bar. On the other hand, the use of this imagery exploits human desires, corrupts minds, and turns
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Fifty Shades of Grey into a sequence of 18 sexual scenes (just in the first book). Nearly 16% of
the first book involves obscene scenes in excruciating detail. The details of 94% of the scenes
add very little to the overall plot line and character development (only the punishment scene is
necessary). James inserts these scenes to appeal to her audience of housewives that she believes
need and want a sexual awakening. However, these scenes are unnecessary and cause unneeded
mental imagery to the younger group of society that will read the books. James uses the sexual
scenes to inaccurately depict BDSM and exploit human desires.
On the other hand, character development is one area in which James has exceeded. First,
Christian starts out the book as a closed, cold, and straightforward billionaire. By the end,
Christian opens up to Ana and shares in a “hearts and flowers” relationship. Christian completes
three phases as his character develops: (1) hitting rock bottom with a glimpse of something good,
(2) vulnerability with the capability of caring, (3) restoration with a new understanding love. At
first, all Christian wants is Ana to be his submissive – he only wants her body. However, after
the first time he shows her his apartment, he cares for her like he has not done for any of his
other submissive relationships. Realizing that there is something different about Ana marks
Christian’s first step towards becoming more than a dominant male. Christian finds himself
opening up and sharing his entire life, even if it is in bits and pieces, with Ana. The development
of Christian, in a way, is a story of firsts – first time for Christian to “make love” (Vanilla sex),
first time he has introduced a girl to his family, first time he has taken a girl in Charlie Tango,
first time he has slept in the same bed with a girl without having sex, first time he has let a girl
touch him, first time he has truly cared for a girl.
Christian’s next step in transformation comes after the punishment scene. After punishing
Ana, Christian begins to recognize the extent of his depravity. His depravity is that the he feels
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the need to implement punishment in his relationships in order to feel in control of his
environment. In reflection, he comes to the realization that Ana has started to change him. He
felt terrible after the punishment because it has pushed Ana away and he is not able to comfort
her; in fact, the punishment he induced did not bring him control.
Readers view Christian as a lost, adolescent boy that cannot get a grip on his feelings.
Control is one aspect that Christian cannot seem to give up at this point. Because he is not in
control of his feelings, he needs to exert a level of control over the people around him. Christian
has never had a relationship that has not put him as the one in control. He understands that in
order for his relationship to work with Ana, he needs to give her more: more of his story, more
caring moments, and more safety. Christian does not want to give Ana information about his past
because he feels that his history would turn her away, and it takes away his sense of control.
However, after Charlie Tango’s crash he begins to understand that the people he has surrounded
himself with, love him. Despite this confirmation of love, Christian views himself as unlovable.
Additionally, the crash and the love of his family give him the opportunity to be vulnerable and
open up to Ana, the start of phase two – vulnerability.
Readers learn that the reason Christian is controlling and the reason he lives the way he
does is because of his mother. Christian’s “crack-whore” worth of a mother never once stood up
for him when he was being abused and never once showed him any affection (James). But, as a
child Christians wanted love; he wanted affection, but he could not stand physical touch to his
chest, the body part where he was most abused. Seven scars on his chest mark seven repeated
cigarette burns. His past does not make his lifestyle acceptable, but it allows readers and Ana to
understand him. As he unfolds his story, Ana finds cracks within it to pour in her love, helping to
bring light to Christian’s life.
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After a phase of vulnerability, one has to put back together the pieces that were opened;
restoration does not come easy. Christian is still vulnerable for most of the third book. Again, he
has to hit rock bottom and reach total depravity before realizing his true potential of loving
selflessly. Christian needs to let go of his control and establish his priorities. Ana’s pregnancy
accomplishes this goal. Christian’s need for control is lost when Ana tell him she is pregnant.
Eventually, after almost losing Ana and seeing Ana sacrifice herself to save Christian and his
family, Christian to the realization that his way of life has hindered him from growing and being
able to accept love. Christian sees unconditional love in Ana when she loves and cares for him
and his family.
Christian no longer feels the need to control his wife because her love has penetrated him.
Instead of his old lifestyle, he has exchanged it for doting on his wife and son. He show his love
by building a house, and setting up a train set the night before his son’s second birthday.
Christian’s barrier was broken through, after which he realized he is capable of being loved. He
has been yearning for unconditional love and that is what Ana provides him with. Even after
delving into his deepest darkest secrets, Ana has stayed by his side.
One theme presented in the book is that girls have the power to change a man’s negative
behavior. This is a tricky subject to maneuver because in reality, only God has the power to
change people. Girls might not understand that this theme is fictional and will try to implement it
in real life. This is dangerous because it places those girls in situations where they have no
control. Reality and research will show that love cannot simply change a strong mental behavior
like Christian Grey’s, and the other party member will bring on herself un-needed anguish,
abuse, and stress. Miriam Grossman, MD, writes that “In the real world, Christian wouldn’t
change to any significant degree” because of Ana’s love and devotion to him. However, this
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book is an escape from reality and into the lives of fictional characters where readers can dream
that anything is possible through love.
Feminists have varying reactions to this book. On one hand, they feel disgusted by the
fact that any woman would willingly subjugate herself into submissive role. Feminists fight for
gender equality on all levels, even including the bedroom. On the other hand, part of the feminist
movement is all about empowering individuals to make their own decisions and recapture their
sexuality; therefore, they rise to meet the challenge and accept that if one chooses this life then
one is all the more empowered. Crispin, a writer for The Los Angeles Review of Books, writes
that this is a narcissistic view of feminism; in short, feminism can be an answer to any choice
that a woman wants to make, as long as it is the woman making the choice. Van Reenen, writer
for the South African Journal of Philosophy, states that feminists have sparked a response in all
women to clearly examine the effect that Fifty Shades has on the mind and relationships; she
goes on to conclude that anything can influence a worldview and women need to remain strong
on their stance and not be “rendered powerless by dominant discourses” (231). In general,
feminists are outraged by the sexual acts, violence, and submissiveness portrayed in the book,
but they are open to the discussion surrounding it in hopes that talk will help bring down the
glass ceiling.
Two of the biggest themes in the book are love and sex. Christian love is seen through 1
Corinthians 13:4-8a:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not
dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of
wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (NIV)
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With this verse in mind, Christians will see that the characters in Fifty Shades have a hard time
falling into the category of Christian love. Christian is jealous, Christian has a temper, Christian
makes lists of Ana’s vices, and Christian leads a lifestyle of immorality. Ana, however, shows a
kind love. Her love for Christian is unconditional. She wants to protect Christian, and she trusts
him even though she does not know the whole truth. The love Ana has for Christian perseveres
and leads her to stay with him through the darkest of times. Furthermore, Ana’s love is an aspect
of the book that Christians can reclaim. God created everything and there is portion of it that is
still good; everything is tainted by sin, but nothing is completely evil. Christians need to find the
good and point others towards that redeeming fact. Although there is one great and excellent
aspect in the book, it does not mean that the good cancels out the bad; the good is merely a way
to redirect a conversation towards focusing on the important and sticky subjects.
One concept that might deter readers from the book is the amount of sex and the type of
sex found within the book. Sex, especially premarital sex, is seen as a taboo subject in Christian
circles, and for good reasons. Several passages state the facts surrounding sexual immorality; for
example, Ephesians 4:19 states, “Having lost all sensitivity, they [the gentiles] have given
themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of
greed” (NIV). It is obvious that greed is sinful; when greed is applied to sex it implies impurity.
Sex within the book is very much centered on greed and is not always consensual. Furthermore,
Galatians 5:13-26 gives Christians guidelines to living a life led by the Spirit, including virtues
that allow one to live a fulfilled Christian live and vices that drag Christians away from Christ.
This is exemplified in verses 19-21:
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry
and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions,
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factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that
those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (NIV)
The Bible makes it clear that sexual immorality is a sin. Sexual immorality is seen as non-
consenting sexual intercourse, greedy lustful intercourse, and any sexual act not intended by
God. In general, Christians believe that God created sex to be a wonderful bond between man
and wife; but, when this bond is seen outside of marriage or the act of sex is to punish a partner,
then it is seen as immoral. Often times the sex scenes in the book are immoral because Ana does
not always consent right away and Christian takes advantage of her, and Christian uses sex to
taunt and punish Ana. Undeniably, most Christians see the problem with Fifty Shades in the way
that it glorifies this type of sex. How much sex is there really? Book one contains 18 scenes
equaling 16% of the book. Book two contains 18 scenes equaling 13% of the book. Book three
contains 14 scenes equaling 11% of the book. Even though good does not cancel out bad, it does
not mean that bad overpowers good. In fact, this statement means the opposite – there is hope.
Despite the fact that there is human redemption in the book, the amount is not enough,
nor is it strong enough, to make it a book that everyone needs to fill his or her mind with.
Philippians 4:8 states, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (NIV). Paul writes to tell Christians that in
order for them to grow closer to God, they need to take care of their mind because what enters
the mind may find its way into action. Taking care of one’s mind entails curbing thoughts that
are not true or pure. Fifty Shades is a book that contains varying amounts of lies and impure
scenes that can creep into the minds of readers. Therefore, Christians need to be wary of reading
the book.
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There is a common preconception that the book centers on sex. But, there is a camp of
individuals that believe the book has more than sex, and they are willing to look for that
something more. This does not mean that readers should willingly fill their minds with every
scene in the book. There are several studies that examine the abuse in the books, and determine
that the trilogy has negative effects on the real relationships. However, it is an undeniable fact
that Fifty Shades is here to stay in our society; therefore, it is worthy of at least a little attention
to reclaim the good parts, critique, and push pack on the bad parts.
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Work Cited
Crispin, J. “Feminism and the ’50 Shades’ Hangover.” The Los Angeles Review of Books. 15 July
2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2015. <http://lareviewofbooks.org/review/feminism-50-shades-
hangover>.
Grossman, M. “A Psychiatrist’s Letter to Young People about Fifty Shades of Grey.” Meg
Meeker, M.D., 11 Feb. 2015. Web. 21 Feb. 2015. <!
http://www.megmeekermd.com/2015/02/a-psychiatrists-letter-to-young-people-about-
fifty-shades-of-grey/>.
James, E.L. Fifty Shades of Darker. New York: Vintage, 2012. Print.
James, E.L. Fifty Shades of Freed. New York: Vintage, 2012. Print.
James, E.L. Fifty Shades of Grey. New York: Vintage, 2012. Print.
Van Reenen, D. "Is This Really What Women Want? An Analysis of Fifty Shades of Grey and
Modern Feminist Thought." South African Journal of Philosophy = Suid-Afrikaanse
Tydskrif Vir Wysbegeerte. 33.2 (2014): 223-233. Print.
