Class, Power, and Desire...Who Else Writes the Tension? 🇬🇧

[Innocent302]

Anyone else drawn to writing erotica that plays with British class dynamics?

Think E.M. Forster meets temptation: the servant who sees too much, the posh wife who wants control, the clever student tangled up with his benefactor. I love that quiet, charged space where status, restraint, and longing collide.

Is it upstairs/downstairs? Age gaps? Hidden affairs behind country house doors?

Would love to hear what dynamics you explore... or want to. Bonus points for a line or two from your work. Let’s stir the pot...

 

[Rob_Royale]

I did so in Velvet Collars but there's really no tension. It's a very free-love kind of world.

I have plans for something more along the lines of your idea, but haven't started it yet. That will be heavy on the tension, sort of a next generation sequel to Lady Chatterley's Lover

 

[KimAwakened]

If I want that, I'll read Wodehouse and apply my own imagination...

 

[Carnevil9]

As an American, the whole "British class dynamics" pretty much eludes me. Sure, we have "classes" in the USA, but they are primarily based on money, and anyone can move up (or down) the totem pole at any time, so the lines don't seem quite as important.

That said, I can see how they extra layer of "taboo" would make the tension more exquisite.

 

[PennyThompson]

@Actingup's What The Maid Saw played a little bit with this sort of idea, but in a more modern setting, an industry conference at a big hotel (the industry was erotica, of course). The class dynamics weren't the central core of that story, but it was definitely a welcome element!

Sure, we have "classes" in the USA, but they are primarily based on money, and anyone can move up (or down) the totem pole at any time, so the lines don't seem quite as important.

Hmm, I've known enough failsons and bad department leads who were handed soft landings that I have to disagree

 

[NuclearFairy]

As an American, the whole "British class dynamics" pretty much eludes me. Sure, we have "classes" in the USA, but they are primarily based on money, and anyone can move up (or down) the totem pole at any time, so the lines don't seem quite as important.

That said, I can see how they extra layer of "taboo" would make the tension more exquisite.

I've read enough reddit threads about not so rich dating people born into money in the US to disagree.

 

[Innocent302]

Thanks for the feedback! It's starting to feel like my particular niche in sexual fantasy might be even more taboo and harder to track down than I thought. I'm convinced we're a secret society for a reason! Trying to unearth content in this very specific, deliciously tense area is like searching for a sensible queue at Heathrow on a bank holiday.

 

[Phatfeet]

I wrote a story along these lines...

It was about a young woman (twenty years old) working as a janitor in an art gallery just because she loved art and was willing to do anything to be among it. When she approached her boss about playing her violin during a posh art exhibit, making the case that music is art too, he agreed to her playing, but only if she did so completely nude. A power struggle of wealthy versus poor, old ideas versus young, and music versus art played out as he made the argument that models were bold in their depictions so why should a musician not be depicted in an art gallery the same way?

So she agreed to play her violin naked at the exhibit.

But during it, her music teacher came in to see the art exhibit and was surprised to see his student there. In the end what seems weak and young, is shown to be powerful to the old, and while neither music not art wins out, instead decades old held beliefs are shattered with the last sentence of the story. A true cliff hanger leaving the reader to really ponder the theme of the short story.

So it can certainly be done with impact. But fictional short stories can have intense themes such as this when done right.

 

[OnlyHappyEndings]

If I want that, I'll read Wodehouse and apply my own imagination...

Oh my, Wodehouse would make great soft porn. Or Christie if you want some edge to it.

 

[Husky_Embrace]

I'm thrown back to the I think Victorian era. It was a time where sex was more restricted and reserved, though it pervaded the social conversations. As if talking about it could keep up the restrictions.

The story emerges in a manor. The lord and lady have the ridgid codes at the time. If they want sex, they need to write a letter to the other. This is then delivered, to which a letter is send back. They sleep in different rooms, and have a special room for when they sleep together. If they sleep together, some servants are nearby, possibly in the room, to serve any needs. Sex makes you dirty, thirsty and hungry, so it is prudent to have them on hand.

The staff is also supposed to keep up the sexual restrictions with more severe punishments, though lower levels of society is still more free than the upper class.

Backstory out of the way, it is all about sex in the manor. We can start by showing the daily life, where sex is discussed by the servants and in contrast the lord and lady. It culminates in two ferocious written letters at the end of the day, where one or a few servants are in close proximity of the fucking couple. Afterwards this is a topic of discussion, and two servants sneak out to avoid the restrictions. A 'normal day' in the manor.

However, not everything is what it seems. The lord and lady have more cravings than they can hold within them. When the lady invites her friends over for a high tea, the lord invites some of his friends and some women who practice delicate arts for money. (An rumour that high tea was an excuse for the lords to have strippers and prostitutes hasn't been proven, but isn't disproven either).

The lady of the house is rumoured to be elevated by the lord, picked up during travel. No one knows for sure, and it would be scandalous if it was true. She appears often in places where she shouldn't, like the kitchens and servant quarters, or engages with a solitary help. It is rumoured that she sometimes can't wait for a letter, and is assisted thoroughly by a servant. It makes people wonder how good she us at sex to be elevated to lady of the house, and it is whispered that some servants have tasted the 10 out of 10 sex.

Some women are interested in power, and the lord is a pleasant man for someone at his station. He'll get what he wants from them, he'll easily convince them when he opens his charms.

All the while there's the suspicion and intrigue in the background. Why did the letter get a denial last night? Was he/she already satisfied?

When that man came out of her quarters with his clothes in disarray, the lord is non to pleased. The man explains that he was chastised by the lady for some behaviour, and shows the streaks left by nails on his back. The lord wants to get inside the room, but a servant tells him she will take a look if she's dressed proper. Caught by etiquette he can't see if it's the truth. His lady confirms the story without hesitation.

The lady finishes her high tea in the gazebo early for the threat of rain. When she comes to the manor the delicate ladies partying with the lord are quickly ushered to the servants quarters (maybe the wine cellar?), where the party continues with the servants in return for their silence. The lords quickly get dressed and on the horses, meeting the lady as she tries to find them. All's well. Rain is coming. They are just a bit sweaty from their ride.

We can expand it with the household having 18+ children who try to curry favour with other lords and ladies, try to find their sexuality with the common people, and in general try to understand the etiquette, for which their parents might hire some trainers in writing letters and their responses.

 

[EmmatheRunner]

This is a pretty common theme in everything I write; in my opinion nothing in-depth can be set in Britain, now or in the past, without at least a tangential reference to class.


I suppose I have three ways of going about it in my stories (all of which are F/f)

(1) The role reversal - this is my favourite. A Lady falls for her lady's maid (or, better yet, the lowest scullery maid. A CEO submits to a cleaner.

(2) The frustrated ambition - A servant who is infinitely clever than her Mistress, yet will never wield any wealth or power due to her low birth. The admin assistant who cannot rise in the company because she didn't attend the right university.

(3) The comedy of manners - A low level criminal relocated to a picturesque l, wealthy village. A snob accidentally sent to an appalling holiday resort.



Love this kind of thing...

 

[Innocent302]

Sounds delicious! I completely agree that class is inseparable from British narratives, past or present.

The three approaches for your F/f stories sound spot on. Thanks for letting me know about your work.

 

[big_cane_sugar]

I've always been interested in the idea of the alpha heros in romance novels, which often includes class and power.

 

[000zing]

Sounds delicious! I completely agree that class is inseparable from British narratives, past or present.

The three approaches for your F/f stories sound spot on. Thanks for letting me know about your work.

And I don't. Most of British life is thoroughly dull and uninvolved with any kind of 'class distinction'. For sure, a full meritocracy we aren't, but at least we aren't also afflicted with the gruesome, money-trumps-everything 'American Dream', mercifully.

This thread is full of half truths and a hilarious, mainly American and influenced-by-Hollywood take on what it is to be British. I've been giggling at it.

Listen up, you benighted Yanks: in many, many ways GB is a far more modern, socially advanced and non-élitest place than you lot with your godforsaken (and I mean that) redneck bible-thumping, misogynist bigotry and devil-take-the-hindmost mentality. At least over here we have some idea of a social contract with a full national health service, support for the poorest and weakest and a firm belief in a woman's right to choose.

Americans have a reputation around the world for being ignorant about anything beyond their shores. That endearing characteristic looks to be heading robustly into the middle of the 21st century... whereas most if not all of the British 'class system' disappeared over a hundred years ago with the carnage of World War I.

 

[Innocent302]

Well, that was certainly a spirited take on modern Britain! One does appreciate the passion, but perhaps we should pour ourselves a nice cup of tea and have a little think.

To suggest our venerable class system completely vanished with the last century's smoke is, shall we say, a tad optimistic. It's less about lords and ladies these days and more about which school gate you queued at, or whether you know the difference between 'supper' and 'dinner'. It's still humming along quite nicely, albeit a touch more subtly. Let's not kid ourselves, eh?

And as for our American friends? While some of their cultural exports can be a bit... loud, painting them all with the same broad brush of 'ignorance' is hardly playing fair. It's a bit like saying all Brits still eat spotted dick and talk like Hugh Grant. (Though, to be fair, a good spotted dick is rather lovely).

We've got plenty to be proud of here, from our NHS to our wonderfully dry wit, but we don't need to throw a wobbly and declare cultural war to prove it. A bit of good-natured banter is one thing, but a full-blown rant? Rather uncivilised, don't you think?

 

[000zing]

Nah... I think mine is the better and more realistic portrayal of things. Our class system is largely now a construct in the minds, precisely, of Upstairs-Downstairs-obsessed fantasy merchants. Real life American ignorance is out there having real effects.

Ask any Gazan whose relatives have been slaughtered en masse by the star-of-David 51st state while waiting in a bread queue.

Ignorance and detachment are the progenitors of unconcern for others. While you and I are enjoying our nice cup of tea, butchery is in progress... and, as sure as night follows day, any country which can be remotely viewed as 'Western' will pay a future price for it.

You may be able to dissociate yourself from real world events and wrap yourself up in a cosy internet page... I am finding that increasingly hard to do.

Uncivilised is as uncivilised does...

 

[Celticlight]

This is a pretty common theme in everything I write; in my opinion nothing in-depth can be set in Britain, now or in the past, without at least a tangential reference to class.


I suppose I have three ways of going about it in my stories (all of which are F/f)

(1) The role reversal - this is my favourite. A Lady falls for her lady's maid (or, better yet, the lowest scullery maid. A CEO submits to a cleaner.

(2) The frustrated ambition - A servant who is infinitely clever than her Mistress, yet will never wield any wealth or power due to her low birth. The admin assistant who cannot rise in the company because she didn't attend the right university.

(3) The comedy of manners - A low level criminal relocated to a picturesque l, wealthy village. A snob accidentally sent to an appalling holiday resort.



Love this kind of thing...

I really love these too. And so many ways that you can play with whatever is going on with their mental state with each - is it satisfaction, frustration? Some sort of ‘proof’ of a certain type of status, or a vengeful regret at lacking it (and vice versa for their partner, of course)?

I daresay all sorts of different mindsets can be explored and enjoyed in those contexts, it’s such a powerful premise

 

[Husky_Embrace]

<...>

(2) The frustrated ambition - A servant who is infinitely clever than her Mistress, yet will never wield any wealth or power due to her low birth. The admin assistant who cannot rise in the company because she didn't attend the right university.

<...>

I'm a bit reminded of Django Unchained. Sure mister Candy is the owner of the plantation. If you look closer you see who the true power wields. The black slave master. We see him in charge of literally everyone, whether it's white slave minders or the slaves themselves. He knows how to cajole and manipulate his masters. We even see him talking to candy in a relaxed chair drinking Monsieur Candy his liquor. The masters are but a small obstacle to him to have wealth, luxury and power, only needing to grovel a few times when Monsieur Candy or his family is bored enough to go to the plantation.

He's the one with the brains, having the right punishments and deducting the plans of our heros.

We can translate this to a less racist and violent time and place, where we have posh societal norms to adhere to. The head servant is in power. She or he can be benevolent, arranging the slanderous activities of the night throughout the house. Or they could follow their own directive, setting up chance encounters to use as blackmail. Did the master's guest of honour really knock up the help? It'll only come out if they don't play ball. They could make sure the masters are sexually frustrated and then alleviate that pain, so they owe them some.

The same can be done with the servants, arranging situations to embarrass them so they fall under the head servants control, and continuing to do so for a firm grip.

And I don't. Most of British life is thoroughly dull and uninvolved with any kind of 'class distinction'. For sure, a full meritocracy we aren't, but at least we aren't also afflicted with the gruesome, money-trumps-everything 'American Dream', mercifully.

This thread is full of half truths and a hilarious, mainly American and influenced-by-Hollywood take on what it is to be British. I've been giggling at it.

Listen up, you benighted Yanks: in many, many ways GB is a far more modern, socially advanced and non-élitest place than you lot with your godforsaken (and I mean that) redneck bible-thumping, misogynist bigotry and devil-take-the-hindmost mentality. At least over here we have some idea of a social contract with a full national health service, support for the poorest and weakest and a firm belief in a woman's right to choose.

Americans have a reputation around the world for being ignorant about anything beyond their shores. That endearing characteristic looks to be heading robustly into the middle of the 21st century... whereas most if not all of the British 'class system' disappeared over a hundred years ago with the carnage of World War I.

I think we should keep the story life and the real world separate. There's stereotypes everywhere and they are there for a reason. The positive part of it is that you know what you're dealing with with less words. It can easily go into multiple directions.

English? Give them a sexy accent and you know what we have. A baseball bat? Hooligans. Call them a lord or lady? We got a class based society.

Same for the USA. Laptop? Techbro. Pickup truck? Redneck. Guns? Yes.

It is just a literary device to help the reader. There's plenty of unfair discrimination in there. Not all women in Sweden are the stunning blondes they are described as, and I'm not a Dutch pothead smoking weed in a windmill drowning in pussy (I merely swim in it). But if you do need a relaxed miller, or a stunning blonde, using well known stereotypes can help a great deal in understanding the characters. You need a lot less words to describe the same thing.

It is like mentioning someone is a blacksmith, or a yoga instructor. Do you still need me to paint a picture of their bodies?

 

[Innocent302]

I'm a bit reminded of Django Unchained. Sure mister Candy is the owner of the plantation. If you look closer you see who the true power wields. The black slave master. We see him in charge of literally everyone, whether it's white slave minders or the slaves themselves. He knows how to cajole and manipulate his masters. We even see him talking to candy in a relaxed chair drinking Monsieur Candy his liquor. The masters are but a small obstacle to him to have wealth, luxury and power, only needing to grovel a few times when Monsieur Candy or his family is bored enough to go to the plantation.

He's the one with the brains, having the right punishments and deducting the plans of our heros.

We can translate this to a less racist and violent time and place, where we have posh societal norms to adhere to. The head servant is in power. She or he can be benevolent, arranging the slanderous activities of the night throughout the house. Or they could follow their own directive, setting up chance encounters to use as blackmail. Did the master's guest of honour really knock up the help? It'll only come out if they don't play ball. They could make sure the masters are sexually frustrated and then alleviate that pain, so they owe them some.

The same can be done with the servants, arranging situations to embarrass them so they fall under the head servants control, and continuing to do so for a firm grip.

I think we should keep the story life and the real world separate. There's stereotypes everywhere and they are there for a reason. The positive part of it is that you know what you're dealing with with less words. It can easily go into multiple directions.

English? Give them a sexy accent and you know what we have. A baseball bat? Hooligans. Call them a lord or lady? We got a class based society.

Same for the USA. Laptop? Techbro. Pickup truck? Redneck. Guns? Yes.

It is just a literary device to help the reader. There's plenty of unfair discrimination in there. Not all women in Sweden are the stunning blondes they are described as, and I'm not a Dutch pothead smoking weed in a windmill drowning in pussy (I merely swim in it). But if you do need a relaxed miller, or a stunning blonde, using well known stereotypes can help a great deal in understanding the characters. You need a lot less words to describe the same thing.

It is like mentioning someone is a blacksmith, or a yoga instructor. Do you still need me to paint a picture of their bodies?

That's a rather astute take; your Django parallel certainly highlights the hidden power, and I quite agree that using stereotypes is a rather efficient, even humorous way to save valuable space in writing for, shall we say, more intimate descriptions, eh?

 

[KimAwakened]

Nah... I think mine is the better and more realistic portrayal of things. Our class system is largely now a construct in the minds, precisely, of Upstairs-Downstairs-obsessed fantasy merchants. Real life American ignorance is out there having real effects.

Ask any Gazan whose relatives have been slaughtered en masse by the star-of-David 51st state while waiting in a bread queue.

Ignorance and detachment are the progenitors of unconcern for others. While you and I are enjoying our nice cup of tea, butchery is in progress... and, as sure as night follows day, any country which can be remotely viewed as 'Western' will pay a future price for it.

You may be able to dissociate yourself from real world events and wrap yourself up in a cosy internet page... I am finding that increasingly hard to do.

Uncivilised is as uncivilised does...

I'll second that. Far too many folk turning a blind eye to things at the moment. The US is sowing the seed of hatred with dire consequences for tomorrow. It couldn't care less about the fate of other places like the UK, the EU or Australia but thinks it'll be safe behind its own borders. The actions of a bully and coward wrapped up in one.

My own guess is that further "9/11s" will come a-knocking at its door.

 

[Husky_Embrace]

I'll second that. Far too many folk turning a blind eye to things at the moment. The US is sowing the seed of hatred with dire consequences for tomorrow. It couldn't care less about the fate of other places like the UK, the EU or Australia but thinks it'll be safe behind its own borders. The actions of a bully and coward wrapped up in one.

My own guess is that further "9/11s" will come a-knocking at its door.

I know we're getting way off track, and yet here's my two cents. I think it's a symptom of the world as a whole. I'll not pretend to know exactly what factors contribute to it and in what measure, but we can appoint a few.

The world has become more extreme as a whole. The most prominent cause is the internet, with a special role for social media.

The internet has made it possible to become more extreme. Where it used to be that extreme ideas were too few and far between to connect with other people, now you can find communities all over the world. Without being corrected it has room to grow even more extreme.

Social media throws oil on the fire by making even the average more extreme. It is designed to keep you on the platform as long as possible by any means necessary. It shows emotional content, for which there's easily two camps to argue. In such scenarios both sides become more and more extreme.

This magnifies problems in society, like immigration, social welfare or the workings of the government. The extreme nature of the arguments often doesn't allow for true solutions.

This has been happening basically all over the world. Many countries were more extreme in some areas than the US. However, the US has been an extremely divided country over nearly every big political issue for a much longer time. With social media this tendency fir the more extreme culminated in Trump, though it could just as easily be championed by someone else. They have done an impressive race to destabilise the world economy, undermine foreign and domestic media and data, and much more. Even so it only strengthens the trend seen worldwide. It is by no means the instigator. It was happening in most countries in the world regardless of Trump.

 

[Innocent302]

Well, that escalated weirdly. Came for spicy storytelling, stayed for the chaos, now quietly backing out and looking elsewhere for my fix. Gutted, but mildly entertained.