From Bodice Ripper to BookTok Part One

I presented my first academic paper on romance. It got rave reviews and I'd like to present it to you in two parts. It's entitled From Bodice Rippers to Booktok. Here’s Part One of Two

Scope and Purpose 

This essay delves into the rich tapestry of romance literature, tracing its historical roots from ancient civilizations to its modern manifestations. It explores the transformation of romantic narratives, highlighting pivotal moments like the emergence of courtly love and the rise of bodice ripper novels in the 20th century. Within the contemporary framework, the essay examines the symbiotic relationship between romance novels and digital platforms, particularly social media communities such as BookTok, detailing their transformative effect on the genre. Furthermore, it offers a critical examination of enduring and emergent romance tropes, analyzing their significance, evolution, and cultural implications within the broader romance narrative. The narrative thereby provides a holistic view of the romance genre's journey, intricately intertwined with societal shifts and technological advancements. 

Introduction 

Romantic elements and themes have been a part of storytelling from the beginning of time. It’s no wonder, as one of the biological functions of humanity, and of all creation, is to propagate the species. Some species, like most flora, do it mindlessly. They cast their seeds into the wind and hope for the best. Other species perform the act forcibly like the Great White Shark, where the males are known to bite the female’s pectoral to ensure she doesn’t move while they lay on the ocean floor and think of England. Humanity’s stories of love run have evolved from tossing a man tossing a woman over his shoulder and carrying her off, to marriages arranged to increase power, to courtly love filled with bad poems, to swiping right for a no strings hook up. The irony of modern love is that it has come full circle between the pages of romance novels. The chest pounding Alpha male is back in vogue, as is the marriage of convenience –only this time, both stories end with a happily ever after. 

History of Romance 

It’s difficult to pinpoint the very first romance in human literature. However, the bones of the genre are there in numerous ancient texts. From the earliest recorded histories, human literature has been captivated by tales of love. These narratives span cultures and epochs, bearing testament to love's universal language.   

Ancient Depictions of Love 

In ancient Greece, Longus' "Daphnis and Chloe" depicts the growth of love between two foundlings, while Homer's "The Iliad" emphasizes the powerful allure between Helen and Paris, showing love's potential to influence great events. India's revered epic, "Ramayana", showcases the enduring bond between Rama and Sita, complemented by the romantic tale in Kalidasa's "Shakuntala" which delineates the intricacies of love, separation, and eventual reunion. Ancient Chinese tales, like the "Ballad of Mulan", focus on familial love, whereas stories such as the "Butterfly Lovers" capture tragic romance. "The Tale of Sinuhe" from Egypt expresses a nostalgic love for one's homeland. The Mesopotamian "Epic of Gilgamesh" centers on the deep friendship between its titular character and Enkidu. Roman classics, including tales from Ovid's "Metamorphoses" and Virgil's "The Aeneid", weave various facets of love, from enchantment to tragic romance. Lastly, ancient Persia's "Khosrow and Shirin" underscores the motif of star-crossed lovers. Collectively, these texts, spanning diverse cultures, affirm love's timeless and boundless presence in literature. 

Pre-Modern Courtly Love 

In the pre-modern era, the landscape of romance in literature evolved through a tapestry of cultures and periods, shaping key elements of the genre we recognize today. By the medieval period, "courtly love" emerged, epitomized in works like "Tristan and Isolde", where forbidden love and chivalry intertwined. The Arthurian legends further enriched the genre, blending romance with heroism. As the Renaissance dawned, prose romances such as "Le Morte d'Arthur" narrated multifaceted love stories, while pastoral romances, such as Sir Philip Sidney’s “The Arcadia” celebrated love in idyllic settings. Shakespeare and his contemporaries further refined romantic themes, experimenting with both joyous and tragic outcomes. Shakespeare and Co also introduced motifs like star-crossed lovers and mistaken identities and played with both happy resolutions as well as heart-wrenching tragic ends. Together, these periods sculpted romance's enduring tropes and themes, forming the genre's foundational pillars. 

In the 18th and 19th centuries, literature witnessed the transformative "Rise of the Novel" period, during which romance played a crucial role in evolving and refining narrative structures and themes. The 18th century saw Samuel Richardson's "Pamela" which addressed romantic elements, as well as societal issues; particularly those of morality and class distinction. As the century progressed, the atmospheric Gothic romance sub-genre emerged. Characterized by its brooding settings and melodramatic plots, it brought to the fore writers like Ann Radcliffe, whose works infused romantic narratives with a sense of foreboding and mystery. 

Transitioning to the 19th century, the scope of romantic literature broadened and diversified. Jane Austen emerged as a monumental figure, merging social commentary with romantic plots in novels like "Pride and Prejudice." These tales, set against the backdrop of a socially stratified Regency England, highlighted the nuances of love and courtship. On the other side of the moors, the Brontë sisters introduced a more turbulent take on romance. "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë and "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë, for instance, explored themes of love entangled with issues of identity, morality, and societal constraints. These works, with their darker undertones, are also aligned with the Gothic romance tradition, depicting romance's multifaceted nature. 

The Birth of the Bodice Ripper  

When the 20^th century came around, romance was ready to take center stage. Thought the romance novel would undergo significant transformation, evolving in both form and substance to reflect contemporary societal shifts before becoming the bestselling genre that it is today. Before these love stories would be downloaded to ereaders, they first went into pulp magazines. With their inexpensive production, pulp magazines brought romance stories to the masses, making the genre more accessible. However, it was the foundation of Harlequin in 1949 that marked a turning point. Specializing in romance, Harlequin played a pivotal role in standardizing and popularizing the modern romance novel, establishing conventions that continue to influence the genre. 

In the middle of the century, both readers and authors looked to the past to bring modern romance to the forefront. Kathleen E Woodiwiss penned her groundbreaking work, “The Flame and the Flower” in 1972. The work took place in the 18^th century, specifically 1790, and follows the trials and tribulations of an orphaned girl and her tumultuous relationship with an American sea captain who takes her forcibly, thus earning the genre the nickname of boddice ripper.  

Bodice ripper novels typically featured strong, virile male heroes and young, often feisty, female protagonists. The term "bodice ripper" itself refers to the tendency for these novels to include scenes of sexual passion, where in the throes of passion, the male character might rip the female character's bodice (a fitted waistcoat-like garment worn by women in the 16th to 19th centuries). These scenes were typically written in explicit detail and the novels were known for their intense emotion, drama, and themes of female submission and male dominance. 

The Modern Romance 

As the century progressed, the romance genre expanded to capture the zeitgeist of the contemporary period. A notable subgenre that emerged was New Adult (NA) Romance, spotlighting protagonists in their early twenties as they grappled with both adulthood's complexities and evolving romantic relationships. Novels such as "Beautiful Disaster" by Jamie McGuire and "Easy" by Tammara Webber became hallmarks of this subgenre, resonating with readers navigating similar life stages. 

Romance's pervasive influence wasn't confined to books. Film and television embraced the genre, with adaptations ranging from Jane Austen classics to contemporary series like "Outlander." This cross-media presence amplified the genre's impact, introducing romance narratives to wider audiences. Concurrently, online platforms witnessed the burgeoning of fan fiction communities, where enthusiasts penned romance narratives. Many of these amateur writers transitioned to publishing, further enriching the genre's landscape. 

The latter part of the century also signaled a conscious shift towards inclusion and diversity within romance novels. Characters became more varied, representing a broader spectrum of ethnicities, sexual orientations, and abilities. Bolstering this trend was the #OwnVoices movement, advocating for narratives penned by authors who personally identified with their characters' marginalized backgrounds. This push for authenticity and representation heralded a more inclusive era for romance literature. 

In essence, the 20th century was transformative for the romance novel. From its formalization and widespread accessibility to its embrace of contemporary themes and inclusive narratives, the genre matured, mirroring society's changing face while preserving its core essence: the exploration of love in its myriad forms. The history of the romance novel is a reflection of changing cultural norms, societal values, and technological advancements. From its earliest incarnations to its modern, diversified form, the genre has both shaped and been shaped by the world it represents. With the advent of digital media, globalization, and more inclusive storytelling, the romance novel seems poised to continue its evolution, captivating hearts and minds for generations to come. In fact, this current generation is making their demands of this genre known on a social media platform known as Tiktok.

Be sure to comeback next week as we go from Bodice Ripper to Booktok!

Unlock Your Writing Potential with a Revolutionary Course for Aspiring and Season Authors

Are you a new writer who dreams of publishing multiple books a year?

Are you a seasoned author who dreams of increasing your publishing pace?

Do you feel overwhelmed by the complexities of market research, series plotting, drafting techniques, and book marketing?

Look no further!

Four Books a Year is the game-changing course designed to transform your writing journey and skyrocket your publishing success.

You'll get weekly writing and craft tips and exercises, marketing advice and planning materials, and branding guidance. There's also a monthly virtual mastermind meet up where each attendee gets time in the spotlight for the entire group to focus on any topic or aspect of their business.