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Genova Darby
Professor Rovira
ENG 361-01
3/23/2012
America A Prophecy
In America a Prophecy the scene between Urthonas daughter and Orc can be viewed as rape,
however it could also be viewed as them simply having sex. It could be viewed in this light
because the scene between Urthonas daughter and Orc does not contain some of the key
elements that are in most literary rape scenes. Rape in most literary works is very violent. In
America a Prophecy Orc is not really violent with Urthonas daughter; instead Orc shows more
passion towards her. For example Orc says I howl my joy: and my red eyes seek to behold thy
face (Blake America a Prophecy Ln. 19). Orc goes on to say how much he wants to see
Urthonas daughter. The way Orc is talking to Urthonas daughter is not even violent. The words
that he chooses to say to her are something someone might say to a lover not a person they were
about to rape. In addition to the above, Orcs word choice also adds to the scene being more
passionate. The only violence that Orc shows in front of Urthonas daughter is when he frees
himself from his bondage. The act of breaking free from his was a violent act, but the violence
was not towards Urthonas daughter. The other time Orc is depicted as being violent is when he
jumps up and grabs Urthonas daughter. However she does not fight Orc off which leads to
another reason this scene between the two of them could be viewed as a passionate love scene.
In most literary rape scenes usually the victim struggles or fights back against the attacker.
Urthonas daughter does not attempt to struggle or fight Orc. Urthonas daughter is described as
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being a warrior. She is depicted as being rather strong and able bodied. If she wanted to stop Orc
she probably could have, but she choose not to. Urthonas daughter also thinks highly of Orc,
and obviously cares for him. For instance she tells him that he is a god to her, which adds to this
scene being more of a scene of passionate sex than a scene of rape. Furthermore if she was being
raped by him she would probably be calling him a monster and all sorts of foul names. Another
reason that this scene between Orc and Urthonas daughter may be viewed as a passionate sex
scene is due to the fact that Urthonas daughter is happy about the situation. For instance it says
that she put aside her clouds & smiled her first-born smile (Blake America a Prophecy ln.24).
If she was being raped Urthonas daughter would not be smiling. She would probably be
panicked, crying, and screaming. Instead she is just smiling and enjoying herself. Also if
Urthonas daughter was being raped by Orc, then Orc most likely would have torn away her
clouds when he grabbed her. Instead it seems as if he waits for her to remove them, which hints
at patience. If Orc was trying to rape her he would probably be in more of a hurry to have his
way with her. In addition to the above reasons one other reason that this scene can be viewed as a
scene of passionate sex is that Urthonas daughter does not want to let Orc go. For example
Urthonas daughter says I know thee: I have found thee, & I will not let thee go (Blake
America a Prophecy Ln. 7). If she were being raped by Orc then she would probably not want
anything to do with him. Let alone be with him for all time, and not just with him but connected
to him.
In conclusion the scene between Urthonas daughter and Orc could be viewed as rape;
however the lack of violence that was showed between Orc and Urthonas daughter, Urthonas
daughter willingness and happiness during the act leads me to believe that this was a passionate
sex scene and not a scene of rape.
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Works Cited
Blake, William. America a Prophecy. Blakes Poetry and Designs. Ed. Mary Lynn Johnson
and John E. Grant. 2nd ed. New York: Norton & Comapany, 2008. Print.

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