Can you help me find terminology for this experience?

[AG31]

All my life I've had a predilection for a particular theme both in my fantasies/erotica and in the other fiction I read. The theme is surrender with dignity. In the world of fantasy and erotica the thing being surrendered to (is there a word for that) is BDSM acts inflicted by a stranger, or, at least, someone with whom the MC has no personal relationship. In the world of non-erotic fiction this might be stories about the Christian martyrs during the Roman Empire (Quo Vadis, The Robe), or Nathan Hale (a shildhood hero of mine) or letters from people facing death during WWII (e.g., Dying We Live).

The feeling I'm trying to articulate blossoms into erotic sensations, pulsing, swelling. In the case of non-erotica there is no such blossoming.

But I have a strong sense that the precursor experience is the same. I'm not sure whether that experience is an idea or a sensation (note, @NotWise).

Any ideas? Suggestions for a term?

Edit: I'd meant to include this. The experience is close to pleasure, but certainly, in the case of martyrdom, pleasure seems an inappropriate word.

 

[Vitriolhack]

Dangerless abandon?

 

[Voboy]

"Acceptance."

Acceptance with grace, or with dignity, or with any other noun of your choice, but acceptance of one's fate, or of one's own powerlessness to change that fate (or that attraction). That's what I think you'd use to describe Hale, anyway, especially as opposed to a guy like Major Andre on the other side.

Or do you need help devising a term for the thing that's being accepted?

 

[33RPMVinylPants]

Dangerless abandon?

'abandon' gives me the feeling that there's a recklessness or carefree attitude. That's the feeling the word evokes in me, at any rate.

I think AG31 is looking for something like 'abdication'. A great loss of social status, but not necessarily losing personal dignity. As a plus, it's only ever used in solemn, noble contexts.

AG31, I don't know that you're going to get a single word that encapsulates the feeling in its entirety.

 

[AG31]

"Acceptance."

Or do you need help devising a term for the thing that's being accepted?

Yes, this is good. Thanks. No, not the thing being accepted.

 

[AG31]

'abandon' gives me the feeling that there's a recklessness or carefree attitude. That's the feeling the word evokes in me, at any rate.

I think AG31 is looking for something like 'abdication'. A great loss of social status, but not necessarily losing personal dignity. As a plus, it's only ever used in solemn, noble contexts.

AG31, I don't know that you're going to get a single word that encapsulates the feeling in its entirety.

Thanks.

 

[SerenaSteeleMonroe]

All my life I've had a predilection for a particular theme both in my fantasies/erotica and in the other fiction I read. The theme is surrender with dignity. In the world of fantasy and erotica the thing being surrendered to (is there a word for that) is BDSM acts inflicted by a stranger, or, at least, someone with whom the MC has no personal relationship. In the world of non-erotic fiction this might be stories about the Christian martyrs during the Roman Empire (Quo Vadis, The Robe), or Nathan Hale (a shildhood hero of mine) or letters from people facing death during WWII (e.g., Dying We Live).

The feeling I'm trying to articulate blossoms into erotic sensations, pulsing, swelling. In the case of non-erotica there is no such blossoming.

But I have a strong sense that the precursor experience is the same. I'm not sure whether that experience is an idea or a sensation (note, @NotWise).

Any ideas? Suggestions for a term?

In the writing world I inhabit it's called the BNWO, and most writers don't have surrender all that dignified. I plan on making that the first change from the norm I insert. There are lot of changes I'd like to make to standard norm of the niche, hopefully without losing readers. Not sure that can be done.

 

[33RPMVinylPants]

Is BNWO an acronym? Not familiar with it.

 

[SerenaSteeleMonroe]

Is BNWO an acronym? Not familiar with it.

Black New World Order... A niche in erotic literature and pron.

 

[NotWise]

But I have a strong sense that the precursor experience is the same. I'm not sure whether that experience is an idea or a sensation (note, @NotWise).

The mind is the root of all eroticism, or so I'm told, and sensations don't necessarily have erotica associations. Wouldn't your precursor experience need to be an idea, even if a sensation contributed to the experience?

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

To acquiesce is to accept something reluctantly but without protest.

 

[SmokingFap]

All my life I've had a predilection for a particular theme both in my fantasies/erotica and in the other fiction I read. The theme is surrender with dignity. In the world of fantasy and erotica the thing being surrendered to (is there a word for that) is BDSM acts inflicted by a stranger, or, at least, someone with whom the MC has no personal relationship. In the world of non-erotic fiction this might be stories about the Christian martyrs during the Roman Empire (Quo Vadis, The Robe), or Nathan Hale (a shildhood hero of mine) or letters from people facing death during WWII (e.g., Dying We Live).

The feeling I'm trying to articulate blossoms into erotic sensations, pulsing, swelling. In the case of non-erotica there is no such blossoming.

But I have a strong sense that the precursor experience is the same. I'm not sure whether that experience is an idea or a sensation (note, @NotWise).

Any ideas? Suggestions for a term?

Maybe resignation? As in resigning yourself to an unpleasant fate and simply accepting it rather than fighting it? Or maybe concession, like when a loser concedes victory with dignity?

 

[SmokingFap]

To acquiesce is to accept something reluctantly but without protest.

That's a great one.

 

[Lathanar1]

Are you meaning acceptance of the inevitable, like stoicism?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Any ideas? Suggestions for a term?

I went looking for those uncommon words that describe an elusive emotional or visceral feeling, and could find nothing. I think I can sense what you're trying to define (even though it's not got a lot in common with my own sensibilities), but I can't think of a word.

 

[AG31]

The mind is the root of all eroticism, or so I'm told, and sensations don't necessarily have erotica associations. Wouldn't your precursor experience need to be an idea, even if a sensation contributed to the experience?

Certainly an idea is a component. I think what I'm looking for is the bodily equivalent to "liminal."

 

[AG31]

Are you meaning acceptance of the inevitable, like stoicism?

Interesting question. But I think not. But that doesn't get me closer, as I'm unable to say why not. What's acceptance that's not stoicism? The experience is too close to pleasure.

 

[AG31]

Here's an edit to my OP. I'd meant to include this. The experience is close to pleasure, but certainly, in the case of martyrdom, pleasure seems an inappropriate word.

 

[AG31]

an elusive emotional or visceral feeling,

This, in itself, is homing in on what I'm looking for. It's generic, but that's better than nothing.

 

[Lathanar1]

Sweet abdication

 

[AG31]

Sweet abdication

Works for the erotica but not quite for the martyrs.

 

[Erozetta]

Deference through humility?