Why slaves?

Why does this form of play have to take the form of “slavery”? The idea of a “slave” is archaic and offensive. Why “slaves”?

No one laments the passing of the institution of chattel slavery. The slavery to which African Americans were subject, for example, was archaic and offensive. All of that is gone, and rightly so. Code d’ Ode should not be confused with that type of slavery. Private, consensual slavery (in a post-slavery context) is an entirely different thing. It is a mode of self-expression. But of course the idea of “slave” does still carries stigma for historical reasons, which is unfortunate.

The role of “slave” continues in other ways because it is – divorced from any economic institution or any particular manifestation in history – an expression of deep reverence. People will be “slaves” to things they revere. To be a “slave” is the ultimate surrender.

The idea of the odalisque grows out of a common sentiment found in many relationships – as an expression of surrender (and/or love) a woman cries, “Take me! Do what you want with me! I’II be your slave. I’II do whatever you want!”

This is a transcending passion. At first the woman is agreeable. Then she is enthusiastic. Then she is passionate. Then, finally, her passion transcends her self-regard, she surrenders all, and she is then “slave”.

The idea of “slave” then is a measure of commitment, passion, submission and surrender. If you want to surrender to someone to an extreme or transcending degree you are willing to be “slave”. Question: To what degree will you submit to me? Answer: I’II be your slave! – which means, total submission, extreme submission, submission to the Nth degree. What else do lovers mean when they say, “Take me, I’m yours!”?

To be an odalisque a woman needs to want more than just sex play. She needs a consuming passion. She is saying, “Not only do I want to be used for sex. More than that! More than that! I want to GIVE MYSELF – surrender! – and do whatever I’m asked to do.”

“Slave” is a condition of the heart. Consensual slavery is an act of reverence and submission. That is why an odalisque is a slave. It is not a designation intended to degrade her; rather it is a measure of her commitment and submission, the degree of her surrender. For want of a better word, it makes her a “slave”. She finds fulfillment in this.