Comic Discussion > QUESTIONABLE CONTENT
Is Sven really a slut at heart?
Carl-E:
From Wikipedia:
--- Quote ---The accepted denotative meaning is a sexually promiscuous woman[4] or "a woman of a low or loose character; a bold or impudent girl; a hussy, jade."[5] These definitions identify a slut as a person of low character — a person who lacks the ability or chooses not to exercise a power of discernment to order their affairs, such as a cad, rake, or womanizer. The adjective "slutty" carries a similar connotation but can be applied both to people and to clothing and accessories, such as Halloween costumes.[6]
--- End quote ---
So yes, especially the bolded part. Sven is a slut.
But he's getting better, or at least making the effort.
Now, about the whole Gina Riversmith incident... Sven found that his inaction (not saying "no") had consequences. I think that's prompted an attempt at some level of control on his part. And I think tha's succeeding.
Faye stuck by her guns, and ended it.
What could have been good for both of them (if they'd somehow managed to make such a wobbly structure work) fell apart... and was ultimately better for both of them. Faye got a start on coming out of her well of sorrows, and now with Angus has a chance to climb all the way up to something resembling happiness. Sven has definitely grown, and may even effect enough change that other people notice. Well, they've noticed, I guess - maybe they'll start believing that he's changed, too.
But it's harder to change other people than it is to change yourself!
And now that I've been talking about changing people, all I can see is the whole cast wandering around in diapers.
...and on that mental image, I take my leave!
peterh:
--- Quote from: Carl-E on 09 Oct 2010, 10:45 ---So yes, especially the bolded part. Sven is a slut.
--- End quote ---
My point was (yes, indeed, I am the person whose quotes IsItColdInHere stuck on the wall here...) that the slutty characterisation describes a property of the Sven object, it does not describe the entire person.
Sven, like anyone of the main cast in QC, has many layers. I mean, jeez, Dora can be *extremely* bitchy, but she's not a bitch. Marten can be easily pushed over at (many) times, but he's got a resolve of tempered steel when necessary.
I argued that Sven was spineless - I really, really believe he is. To me, it seems as if he is also only dimly aware of what it is that makes him miss Faye... he keeps projecting it on her bottom and her bosoms. Maybe he's still hiding for his real issues.
But from the beginning of the pretend-date, I was fairly sure that he would manage his best to pull it off. He hasn't disappointed.
And Hanners is indeed very very very good in seeing through people. So yes, I think he (Sven) is a nice guy.
raoullefere:
--- Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 08 Oct 2010, 10:01 ---
--- Quote from: Petterhuppertz from the wiki ---Let's keep in mind that, while we have a fairly good idea about Marten's and Faye's upbringing, we know less of Sven's formative years than we do about Hannelore's.
What we do know is that he's been raised by parents who were firmly stuck in the '60's/'70's, and that everything he wanted, or thought he wanted, came to him naturally, without him having to make an effort. Straight A's, attention, popularity, and later, money.
--- End quote ---
--- End quote ---
We also know they never called him on poaching Dora's friends—Sven confirmed that he did this. Whether they were unaware (not good to now know what happens in your own house) were too stoned to know or simply didn;t give a crap isn't clear.
--- Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 08 Oct 2010, 10:01 ---
--- Quote from: Petterhuppertz from the wiki ---And we also know that, WITHIN his social circle, he has always behaved responsibly and in a considerate manner. He has never even so much as made a pass at ANY of Dora's friends.
--- End quote ---
--- End quote ---
Now, not Then. Furthermore, this is done because he's under constant threat from Dora, not from any sense of responsibility. And before anyone clains he'd just putting on an act, Sven sure as hell isn't after he sleeps with Faye. If he'd had the balls to go to Dora and tell her what'd happened in the first place, much of the resulting mess, including the relationship being no more than sex, might've been avoided.
--- Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 08 Oct 2010, 10:01 ---
--- Quote from: Petterhuppertz from the wiki ---So, yes, he's spineless, there is no arguing that.
--- End quote ---
--- End quote ---
No. But he's also lazy. That's his single worst quality. If Sven would exert himself, he could overcome most of his faults. But it's too much trouble.
<Sigh> I've posted enough about Sven to write a novella, and I don't feel like adding another page to it now. Yes, he's not evil incarnate (that would be Meena :-)), but he also swings both ways: he's apparently something of a predator as well as a slut. More apt description: Like most predators, he'd content to let his prey come to him or even scavenge, but as he told Hanners, Sven also has a stalking technique if he needs to exert himself to 'fill the larder.'
peterh:
--- Quote from: raoullefere on 15 Oct 2010, 23:21 ---We also know they never called him on poaching Dora's friends—Sven confirmed that he did this. Whether they were unaware (not good to now know what happens in your own house) were too stoned to know or simply didn;t give a crap isn't clear.
--- End quote ---
Agreed. That will not have helped him much in growing that spine.
--- Quote ---Now, not Then. Furthermore, this is done because he's under constant threat from Dora, not from any sense of responsibility. And before anyone clains he'd just putting on an act, Sven sure as hell isn't after he sleeps with Faye. If he'd had the balls to go to Dora and tell her what'd happened in the first place, much of the resulting mess, including the relationship being no more than sex, might've been avoided.
--- End quote ---
Point.
--- Quote from: Is it cold in here? on 08 Oct 2010, 10:01 ---
--- Quote from: Petterhuppertz from the wiki ---So, yes, he's spineless, there is no arguing that.
--- End quote ---
--- End quote ---
No. But he's also lazy. That's his single worst quality. If Sven would exert himself, he could overcome most of his faults. But it's too much trouble.
[/quote]
Another good point. But I think he needs proper motivation. That has to come from within. When he's mustered that, and starts to actually give it a try, he needs some encouragement. Hanners is better at that than Dora. That doesn't mean it's Dopra's fault... but it is Hannelore's accomplishment.
I think we don't disagree on most points... but we may disagree on one point: you dislike him, I don't.
And that is why QC is a good comic.
raoullefere:
As long as we're talking of Hannelore encouraging him and not us. I'm not a fictional character <looks around> at least I hope I'm not. (If I am, my writer better hope I never find a way to get at him.)
I actually liked Sven when he was first introduced, and thought he was going to be good for Faye (which he was, but in a kind of fires from hell way I wouldn't wish on anyone that's already been through as much as Faye has*). I can trace my dislike of Sven to three comics (which I'm not going to link at the moment):
First, when Faye asks for a date and he shuts it down
Second, after he has sex with Riversmith and, instead of facing up to Faye, just as with Dora, he tries to hide it. (Thanks, Lydia)
Third, when he gets angry at Faye at Hanner's Snow Block Party.
And, although, as I said, I wouldn't wish it on anyone**, I suspect it's going to take a little flame to truly change his ways. Which, by my estimate, will happen only when he makes peace with Dora, which will involve actually apologizing instead of thinking pretend-dates will do the trick. As opposed, of course, to preening his feather about how good a lay one of her friends, former by then, was.
* No, I don't excuse Faye from all her behaviors due to 'issues,' but this was a little much. Although I've complained during the process, it's actually pretty impressive she's picked herself back up. Some credit to Angus, a person who, whatever his faults, is responsible and does take his screw-ups seriously. If you think about it, Jeph put him through the same tests he did Sven, only both at the same time. (listens for the crash as thread derails from the Legion of Angus detractors boarding all at the same time).
**this is supposing the Bianchi parents really are irresponsible wretches.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version