I very rarely make threads here, and even more rarely make successful threads, but here goes.
Back in February I was writing a book, and at one point I came across a difficult problem: should I include swearing? I sat on this question for over an hour before deciding against it, but when I was struck by this question again today I thought it would make a good discussion point for a thread. While I'm guessing -- since this is the internet after all -- there aren't going to be many who are resolutely-against swearing and suchlike, I think it's still worthwhile hearing opinions on where swearing stands in society.
A common argument against swearing -- in both social and literary contexts -- is that it shows a limited vocabulary. Clearly these people would prefer retorts of "Gosh darnit please conduct an expedition forthwith elsewhere!" to "Fuck off!" but even if this argument is true it doesn't mean that swearing should be banished from literature. Indeed, swearing can be used to reflect a character's lack of vocabulary or general abrasiveness.
In my particular example, I wanted a short phrase to convey anger, and it was going to be a simple "You bastards!". Dwelling more on the issue, I realised that the effectiveness of the phrase was entirely dependent on it causing offence: it would provide a shock to the reader which shows the depth of feeling of the character. If "bastards" wasn't offensive, then it would have as much effect as "You nincompoops!". Thus I arrived at the conclusion that swearing is fine to use in literature, but only sparingly -- otherwise the effect is muted.
So I suppose I take a bit of a middle ground. There are some who would like to remove profanities from all literature (and, of course, other forms of media) and there will be others who see taboos as relics of Victorian society or something like that.
Where do you lie on that scale?
E: Poppy's video is really good, watch it!
Back in February I was writing a book, and at one point I came across a difficult problem: should I include swearing? I sat on this question for over an hour before deciding against it, but when I was struck by this question again today I thought it would make a good discussion point for a thread. While I'm guessing -- since this is the internet after all -- there aren't going to be many who are resolutely-against swearing and suchlike, I think it's still worthwhile hearing opinions on where swearing stands in society.
A common argument against swearing -- in both social and literary contexts -- is that it shows a limited vocabulary. Clearly these people would prefer retorts of "Gosh darnit please conduct an expedition forthwith elsewhere!" to "Fuck off!" but even if this argument is true it doesn't mean that swearing should be banished from literature. Indeed, swearing can be used to reflect a character's lack of vocabulary or general abrasiveness.
In my particular example, I wanted a short phrase to convey anger, and it was going to be a simple "You bastards!". Dwelling more on the issue, I realised that the effectiveness of the phrase was entirely dependent on it causing offence: it would provide a shock to the reader which shows the depth of feeling of the character. If "bastards" wasn't offensive, then it would have as much effect as "You nincompoops!". Thus I arrived at the conclusion that swearing is fine to use in literature, but only sparingly -- otherwise the effect is muted.
So I suppose I take a bit of a middle ground. There are some who would like to remove profanities from all literature (and, of course, other forms of media) and there will be others who see taboos as relics of Victorian society or something like that.
Where do you lie on that scale?
E: Poppy's video is really good, watch it!
