Why is Mal anti-companion?

POSTED BY: akredhead
UPDATED: Thursday, December 28, 2006 01:27
VIEWED: 17411
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AGENTROUKA

Friday, August 25, 2006 4:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by FellowTraveler:
Sorry, but back to the Inara/whore/companion thing for a moment.

With the exception of the counslor (and I suspect more than a backrub ensued), every client Inara sees in the show has engaged her for sex.

I wasn't denying that in any way.

In particular in the instance of Fess, where it may have been his father's idea that Inara relieve Fess of his manhood but Inara obviously took the job because she saw an opportunity to help a young person grow.

She offered the Councellor a moment of respite from her masks.

We don't know what she and the boy in the pilot episode talked about before engaging in sex, but he's from Persephone, just like Atherton, and apparently that planet is not as enlightened about Companions as the Core worlds are. Atherton might have been a self-indulgence for Inara, or an experiment, we can't know.

Sex is obviously part of Inara's service, but it's not the only part, in particular in her own eyes. Sex is a means of emotional release and even has a spiritual aspect, not to mention it's simply a good time when done right. All of that supports what she offers her clients, it's not the point.

Even counting Atherton and the boy as having just hired her for sex, that still gives us a 50% amount of clients - we have seen - where sex was part of the service but not the point of the service. And that's outside the Core, in places like Higgin's moon and whatever planet Niska's circling.

Quote:

Negative connotations aside, a whore is defined as:

a woman who engages in sexual acts for money

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/whore

You see, if you were using the word 'prostitute', which has the same meaning without the social connotations of dirty, diseased, immoral, wanton, poor, stupid, choiceless and victimized, them I might actually agree with you.

A whore is a kind of prostitute the same way a Companion is a kind of prostitute, located on different ends of a scale of degrees, if you will, but they don't, historically, carry the same value. Prostitute is neutral, whore is generally a denigration.

Maybe not to someone like Jayne, who sees no trouble with the entire institution. But someone like Mal, who has the distinct ability to be well-spoken and a very aware, political mind? It is deliberate.

If Mal wasn't using a word - a slur to many - people have villified for centuries, I doubt Inara would be so up in arms about it.

Quote:

What evidence is there that the Guild is anything more than a labor union for prostitutes? It would seem to me (might be wrong) the ladies organized and now have the power to make demands about clients, compensation, working conditions, health care, and the required training of its members.

I actually agree in essence. :)

Of course, the Guild has more influence on a Companion's private life, they personally educate their members and their Training House bore closer resemblence to a temple than anything a mere workers union would have on display. Inara would have been "house priestess".

It's more personal than that, obviously, more like a spiritual order, perhaps, I'm not sure.

AGENTROUKA

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:15 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RugBug:
Oh yea, it's a mild insult, the same as when Inara calls him a petty thief, but I think it's more to remind himself that she is off limits than to put Inara in her place.

That's true some of the time. But there are moments when, I think, he very deliberately uses the word because he is aware that on occasion, Inara reacts with honestly hurt feelings.

Take the scene with Book in the pilot episode. Inara's look is not one of amusement, and she's angry enough to turn right around and head back to where she came from, Kaylee in tow. After expressing her displeasure with fairly bitter sarcasm. Mal knows how she can react.

Moments like "That distress wouldn't be taking place in someone's pants?" in Heart of Gold, that's a mere jibe and Inara takes it as such.

But in "Shindig", when she's kindly teaching him how to fence, he uses it out of the blue, in what I think is a move to get back some distance. He's confused and angry, he doesn't want to be friendly. W-word works like a charm. They're back to fighting.
In "Trash" ("How about I stay out of your whoring..."), it's the same. Inara intrudes on his business, out comes that word.

In the Out of Gas flashback, it's a direct reaction to her Alliance comment. Those aren't self-directed reminders, they're aimed at Inara, to push her away.

It's a mix of both, I think. Sometimes good-natured, sometimes intended insult.

FUTUREMRSFILLION

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:16 PM

I have been giving this some thought and watching my faithful box set and I don't think Mal is anti-companion, he evens says its honest work. Mal is anti INARA being a companion.

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

AGENTROUKA

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RocketJock:
Slight change of subject: In regards to Inara's dedication to the calling of Companion: There are women (and men for that matter) in America today who fit every definition of a Companion, except one. There are high-class courtesans of both/every gender available, who possess great social skill, commmand high price, and pick and choose their own clientelle.

The one difference is that, of course, in America today their chosen profession is illegal.

My question is, if Inara's chosen profession were against the law, and minus the legal protections and high public status she enjoys, would she still practice it?

That would be the true measure of her dedication.

That one difference you point out here, however, has a good number of consequences. High-class escorts of today don't have the kind of legal recourse and protection that Companions do. The work, although well-paid and probably glamorous to some degree, who knows, is not tied to official benefits. An escort can't report abuse without implicating herself.

And I find the question a bit unnecessarily black and white. Is that the only measure of dedication that exists in the universe, whether you'd do one particular job even if it's illegal?

Inara might have become a therapist or a teacher or a religious figure or something else that include aspects of her work, if Companion wasn't on the menue, but that doesn't mean that she is not dedicated to the job she was able to choose.

RUGBUG

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:
We don't know what she and the boy in the pilot episode talked about before engaging in sex, but he's from Persephone, just like Atherton, and apparently that planet is not as enlightened about Companions as the Core worlds are.

You've said this a few times about Atherton and Persephone and I just can't agree. If anything, Atherton is showing Inara off at the ball. He's proud that he has the standing enough to be accepted as a client. If there were underlying prejudices against companions on Persephone, he certainly wouldn't be doing that. Hiring one would DECREASE his social standing. We know he's shallow enough to care only of his position in society, so to jeopardize that by hiring a companion would be completely out of character. Ath would instead hire her merely for sex, keeping her hidden away and not parade around at the social event of the season. He wants her for sex, but also because it will increase his reputation.

***************
"The power of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it." - George Bernard Shaw

MAL4PREZ

Friday, August 25, 2006 5:54 PM

Who, RJ, good post!

Interesting question about law-breaking. It's going to need to rattle around in my brain... my first thought is that she wouldn't do it. I'm not sure how to back that up, because she does break the law.

...but her law-breaking is to help the crew, and not really anti-establishment. Not until the movie, anyway.

Hmmm. Must think more.

AR - I've always felt like Mal dropping the 'W' word in Shindig was just his cluelessness. Because why would he make that distance, and then reveal himself by asking her not to stay with Ath? Or do I have the order wrong? Must watch the scene again.

AR again - re your later post - Funny you bring up the therapist comparison. I've always thought Inara views herself as that. This happens in a different time where sexuality isn't so vilified. Maybe using sex to comfort or help someone is no different than a therapist speaking kindly to their client. At least, maybe this is how Inara feels.

I think this de-personalizing of sex in Inara's mind is a bit of a smokescreen that she needs because of her mysterious past, which is in the fic I'm working on. (I'm sooooo shameless)

EDIT: Rugbug - good point about Ath! He's obviously not ashamed of her, though he is ridiculed at the end about hiring girlfriends, since he won't be able to anymore.

-----------------------------------------------
I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

AGENTROUKA

Friday, August 25, 2006 6:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by RugBug:
You've said this a few times about Atherton and Persephone and I just can't agree. If anything, Atherton is showing Inara off at the ball. He's proud that he has the standing enough to be accepted as a client. If there were underlying prejudices against companions on Persephone, he certainly wouldn't be doing that. Hiring one would DECREASE his social standing. We know he's shallow enough to care only of his position in society, so to jeopardize that by hiring a companion would be completely out of character. Ath would instead hire her merely for sex, keeping her hidden away and not parade around at the social event of the season. He wants her for sex, but also because it will increase his reputation.

You're right, it might really be just Atherton's personal attitude to disrespect a Companion.

It's not a theory I insist upon, but to me it explains the occurence of two less than 100% respectful clients on the same planet. It's an indicator, nothing more.

Atherton might be an exception in his society, or Persephone's society might still be more pervaded by mysogynist thoughts. Either way, he's not the most reliable example for the average Companion's clientele in the Core.

AGENTROUKA

Friday, August 25, 2006 6:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:

AR - I've always felt like Mal dropping the 'W' word in Shindig was just his cluelessness. Because why would he make that distance, and then reveal himself by asking her not to stay with Ath? Or do I have the order wrong? Must watch the scene again.

It just seems to be that it would have to be deliberate. He knows how she reacts to that word, and especially in the context of the episode and her close physical proximity at the time, I don't think it's something Mal would casually think about. His body language is secure throughout her reaction and he's not the least bit trying to defuse the perceived insult, which he might had he not meant it.

The scenario, as I see it:
Mal's disturbed that Inara still went with Ath even after his horrible behavior. Hell, she might even have had sex with him, and here she is, like nothing has happened, like the reason Mal insists on fighting this duel is completely meaningless.
Then she's that close to him, straight out of another man's bed, acting like all is well. So he pushes her away, to rattle her. Bring things back to the point.

He starts right up with the lecturing again, BUT Inara's not biting. So he's really down to honesty or nothing. I don't think he meant to reveal himself, actually. That, to me, is the thing that just slips out. *g*

Quote:

AR again - re your later post - Funny you bring up the therapist comparison. I've always thought Inara views herself as that. This happens in a different time where sexuality isn't so vilified. Maybe using sex to comfort or help someone is no different than a therapist speaking kindly to their client. At least, maybe this is how Inara feels.

That is exactly how I see it. Glad we can agree on that. :)

Quote:

I think this de-personalizing of sex in Inara's mind is a bit of a smokescreen that she needs because of her mysterious past, which is in the fic I'm working on. (I'm sooooo shameless)

Oh, you know, I'll never complain you mentioning your writing. *g* After all, it means that you ARE writing, which is wonderful!

I don't know about smokescreen. Mostly because I don't know about her mysterious past. My personal favorite theory is that it has very little to do with the nature of her job. Oh well. :)

MAL4PREZ

Friday, August 25, 2006 6:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:
Then she's that close to him, straight out of another man's bed, acting like all is well. So he pushes her away, to rattle her. Bring things back to the point.

I totally see your point. Doesn't he say the 'whore' thing when they're physically close too? She's actually touching Mal? *sexual tension wee!* Makes sense he'd say something to get her away - and she immediately walks away from him, right? I really need to watch again...

Quote:
I don't know about smokescreen. Mostly because I don't know about her mysterious past. My personal favorite theory is that it has very little to do with the nature of her job. Oh well. :)

I agree with that... although I have the two intertwined, since her job is really her life. OK - I can't discuss this anymore until after I post my fic! I'll give away my plot!

-----------------------------------------------
I'm the president. I don't need to listen.

FELLOWTRAVELER

Friday, August 25, 2006 7:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by AgentRouka:

Maybe not to someone like Jayne, who sees no trouble with the entire institution.

I guess I'm looking at it from a Jayne point of view. I have no problem with the institution. If a gal or guy chooses freely to earn their living having sex (or using sex in combination with other skills), it's no business of mine.

I can acknowledge that there is a difference of degree. However, there is a difference between a Triple Crown winner and a mustang, but they're both horses. Admittedly, not the best analogy. Not suggesting women beasts of burden.

Obviously, Inara belives there is a difference, as does most everyone else in the 'Verse. I guess I'm still looking at it in an "earth that was", literal kinda' way.

I think Mal's view of her profession is in a similar vein. I don't believe he's denigrating prostitutes. Instead he's denigrating society and Companions in general and Inara specifically for not acknowledging that in a very simple and artless way (perhaps callow, as well), there is no distinction.

Mal doesn't seem like a man given to parsing words or that particularly sophisticated (say, like the good doctor). In his eyes (IMHO), Inara and all companions are really just well educated, well paid, highly skilled, officially sanctioned, pretentious prostitutes. No better than the "whores" in HOG. In fact, worse, because at least the HOG girls/guys (again, my opinion of his POV) are honest about it.

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