However, from a female and modern perspective I do believe being irresistible is a choice. Choices from the harmless following the current fashion, to the dubious posting yourself on social media for validation, wearing make up, and outright immoral wearing purposefully provocatice clothing (I know this can be hard to define, but so many women post in their bra on social media) are all just to feel the power and wield it. And, underneath beauty treatments and filters we cannot even know if they are attractive.
Not all of these were such options in the past though, as circles were smaller and thus beauty easier to obtain, technology less advanced, and fashions were more complusory.
In regards to a wimple, though, unmarried women do not often understand the result of using this power. They want validation and attention but may not understand where it is coming from. (I know she is your character, but this situation happens repeatedly throughout history in various ways).
Yes, the desire of other women to make themselves into the irresistible girl is another important aspect of her impact on the world, though not one I think I have sufficient insight into to write about. Whether this is achievable in the real world is something I don't find myself willing to comment on. But you have me thinking about how or whether this is addressed in the literary world. The wicked queen in Snow White touches on it, but does not get to the heart of it, as does Cinderella and Edith Nesbit's Beautiful as the Day. Other exampled don't leap to mind, but I suspect that may have to do more with my particular reading habits than anything else. Can you think of examples?
You would have insight to write it if you like - it is the same as trying to have power/acceptance through becoming any idealation (the perfect mother myth, men dont cry, etc). So it it just learning the myth one is trying to become.
Given it is an inherent trait in women, it is in a lot of books casually, e.g. Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. Fairest by Gail Levine is a good one with it as the central motif, but I cannot think of any others where it is the main point.
Yes, the irresistible girl is a literary construct. There probable has never been a girl who was literally irresistible to all men (questions of preference aside). Literary constructs build on something real but exaggerate certain qualities and diminish or ignore others. They point to something real in human experience or they would not persist though our literature, but stories are a lens, not a window. They distort to focus.
I quite enjoyed this essay, Mark. It and others you've posted have me considering the moral weight of one's actions in the context of someone I am researching for a biography. Thanks for the insights and prompts.
Mark- I’m unfamiliar with Welsh mythology so this is a pleasant find. I appreciate you walking through the concept of the ‘irresistibility’ within this context. An interesting ready.
I propose that the literary device of the Irresistible Girl actually serves a far broader purpose which I think you touch on, but I think ought to be expounded upon.
First, I’d like to expand our definition of the Irresistible Girl to include men. Hyacinth and Adonis come to mind immediately, potentially Endymion as well. Men who possessed great beauty and had the potential to wield that power (and who, potentially, had it used against them. A danger all beautiful people face). I’m not familiar with fairy stories outside a few Grimm brothers’ tales I read twenty years ago, so I’m not sure if there are examples to be gleaned from there or not. But since you’ve used Helen, I think including these men is reasonable.
Secondly, I’d like to suggest that the purpose of these figures, of this literary device, is not strictly to impress upon the beautiful or irresistible* the responsibility that comes with beauty, but rather that they also, to an equal degree, serve to expose the hearts of those who engage with them.
That is to say, these figures expose our moral failures.
They carry weight proportional to their advantages, but I would also argue that their beauty and (natural, not cultivated) allure serve to expose the sins of their community. I would argue that the moral obligation of these people is the exact same as any other person to their unique talents, skill sets and mammon. However, the moral risk to themselves is disproportionate (which I think is the point you were making with all comments about hiding their beauty).
Personal obligation to responsibility increases in reference to the portion possessed. But I think it’s valuable to make that distinction within the broader context of all human responsibility with the resources at their disposal - because we are already prone to either harshly condemn or else unjustly excuse the “irresistible”. And the truth is, we all carry varying weight according to our persons and situations.
I had hoped to apply this broader definition to Helen, in particular, but I’ve got to get back to my other responsibilities for the day. In summary, I’ve expanded the category of the Irresistible Woman to include men, and I’ve suggested that their purpose is two fold: to create awareness of moral weight in the irresistible/beautiful themselves, AND to expose both human vulnerability and human corruption: whether because we relegate others to simply what we behold,
or whether we allow ourselves to be swayed by beauty absent truth,
or whether we are jealous and petty and cruel.
*I’m going to be honest, I take exception to “irresistible” because I think it removes a significant level of personal integrity from the people these individuals engage with. Who’s fault was it that Eve ate the fruit? Well, considering every person involved in that whole situation had to take responsibility for their actions - the serpent, Eve, and Adam - I’d say they each carry their own contribution to the whole mess. In this case, I think the fruit serves the same role as the Irresistible Girl, though I acknowledge it cannot carry personal moral weight or responsibility as it is inanimate.
You are right that there is also that there is also the irresistible man, but I am not convinced that he stands in the same place as the irresistible girl. It's hard to think of as many examples. All the examples you give are from Greek myths and the men in question are either gods or god-adjacent. The only other example that springs to mind immediately is Balder the Beautiful, also a god from Norse mythology. So perhaps in these cases the male beauty is a sign of divinity.
I'm inclined, though by no means committed, to the idea that the irresistible girl's male equivalent is the competent man. (Competent man + irresistible girl = Bond film.)
But what you say about the irresistible girl exposing the moral failures of those who interact with her is particularly valuable. I find myself saying, "Why didn't I say that!" Because that is exactly what my books about Elswyth are really about. In the first one it exposes her own moral failures, and the the rest of the series, the moral failures of others, including her mother, her sister, an Abbess, and a King. It is particularly true of the fourth book in the series, which I hope to release soon, in which the point of view shifts to a young man who becomes obsessed with her, and who might well become her savior or her doom.
I don't disagree with you about the use of the term "irresistible" either. Morally and philosophically it does seem to excuse those who fail to restrain themselves. But perhaps there is something ironic about the term irresistible here, a reflection of exactly the thing you raise, that she exposes our moral failures, and calling her irresistible is a sign of that moral failure. But also, as a fairytale character, which is what she is when she appears in literature, the irresistible girl calls forth the fairytale virtue of resisting the irresistible.
That’s a very good point, I hadn’t considered the (partial) divinity of these men.
My initial consideration was that they were all (willing or unwilling) the lovers of gods - hence the tie to the idea of desirability that we see in the irresistible girl. Which I think is particularly pertinent in Adonis’s situation, where he is literally reduced to the sum of his parts: Aphrodite finds a beautiful child and has him raised by Persephone. Persephone raises him and finds him so beautiful that she will not give him up. Ultimately, Zeus gets involved and divies up poor Adonis’s time between the two goddesses (and a third of the year to himself). It’s the very definition of the irresistible - they want him simply because he is beautiful. Although since they are goddesses they have the power to take what they want, which is absolutely horrifying.
I guess when I think competent I would think Odysseus, or Heracles, or even Sisyphus, albeit his competency ran straight to hubris.
I hadn’t broken down the James Bond “competent man + irresistible girl”, but that is the trope to a tee!
And I very much appreciate your insight on the irony of the term - that is such a good point. Also, so very sobering.
I’m so glad you found the bit about the moral failures to be valuable. I have very much enjoyed this exchange!
I thoroughly enjoyed this essay. What a fascinating topic.
The literary construct of the irresistible girl and the, unbeknownst to her, power she wields, brings to mind the stupid actions of victims in horror movies eg. Opening the door we all know will allow the horrors or taking the turn down the path into the misty forest, etc.
I love this post.
However, from a female and modern perspective I do believe being irresistible is a choice. Choices from the harmless following the current fashion, to the dubious posting yourself on social media for validation, wearing make up, and outright immoral wearing purposefully provocatice clothing (I know this can be hard to define, but so many women post in their bra on social media) are all just to feel the power and wield it. And, underneath beauty treatments and filters we cannot even know if they are attractive.
Not all of these were such options in the past though, as circles were smaller and thus beauty easier to obtain, technology less advanced, and fashions were more complusory.
In regards to a wimple, though, unmarried women do not often understand the result of using this power. They want validation and attention but may not understand where it is coming from. (I know she is your character, but this situation happens repeatedly throughout history in various ways).
Yes, the desire of other women to make themselves into the irresistible girl is another important aspect of her impact on the world, though not one I think I have sufficient insight into to write about. Whether this is achievable in the real world is something I don't find myself willing to comment on. But you have me thinking about how or whether this is addressed in the literary world. The wicked queen in Snow White touches on it, but does not get to the heart of it, as does Cinderella and Edith Nesbit's Beautiful as the Day. Other exampled don't leap to mind, but I suspect that may have to do more with my particular reading habits than anything else. Can you think of examples?
You would have insight to write it if you like - it is the same as trying to have power/acceptance through becoming any idealation (the perfect mother myth, men dont cry, etc). So it it just learning the myth one is trying to become.
Given it is an inherent trait in women, it is in a lot of books casually, e.g. Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich. Fairest by Gail Levine is a good one with it as the central motif, but I cannot think of any others where it is the main point.
Interesting.
But have I ever met an irresistible girl? In one sense, obviously, yes; and she's been my partner now for more than 30 years.
But in the sense of the girl whom men (all, or many) find irresistible… well, if I have, I must be one of the ones who's somehow immune.
Yes, the irresistible girl is a literary construct. There probable has never been a girl who was literally irresistible to all men (questions of preference aside). Literary constructs build on something real but exaggerate certain qualities and diminish or ignore others. They point to something real in human experience or they would not persist though our literature, but stories are a lens, not a window. They distort to focus.
I quite enjoyed this essay, Mark. It and others you've posted have me considering the moral weight of one's actions in the context of someone I am researching for a biography. Thanks for the insights and prompts.
Mark- I’m unfamiliar with Welsh mythology so this is a pleasant find. I appreciate you walking through the concept of the ‘irresistibility’ within this context. An interesting ready.
I propose that the literary device of the Irresistible Girl actually serves a far broader purpose which I think you touch on, but I think ought to be expounded upon.
First, I’d like to expand our definition of the Irresistible Girl to include men. Hyacinth and Adonis come to mind immediately, potentially Endymion as well. Men who possessed great beauty and had the potential to wield that power (and who, potentially, had it used against them. A danger all beautiful people face). I’m not familiar with fairy stories outside a few Grimm brothers’ tales I read twenty years ago, so I’m not sure if there are examples to be gleaned from there or not. But since you’ve used Helen, I think including these men is reasonable.
Secondly, I’d like to suggest that the purpose of these figures, of this literary device, is not strictly to impress upon the beautiful or irresistible* the responsibility that comes with beauty, but rather that they also, to an equal degree, serve to expose the hearts of those who engage with them.
That is to say, these figures expose our moral failures.
They carry weight proportional to their advantages, but I would also argue that their beauty and (natural, not cultivated) allure serve to expose the sins of their community. I would argue that the moral obligation of these people is the exact same as any other person to their unique talents, skill sets and mammon. However, the moral risk to themselves is disproportionate (which I think is the point you were making with all comments about hiding their beauty).
Personal obligation to responsibility increases in reference to the portion possessed. But I think it’s valuable to make that distinction within the broader context of all human responsibility with the resources at their disposal - because we are already prone to either harshly condemn or else unjustly excuse the “irresistible”. And the truth is, we all carry varying weight according to our persons and situations.
I had hoped to apply this broader definition to Helen, in particular, but I’ve got to get back to my other responsibilities for the day. In summary, I’ve expanded the category of the Irresistible Woman to include men, and I’ve suggested that their purpose is two fold: to create awareness of moral weight in the irresistible/beautiful themselves, AND to expose both human vulnerability and human corruption: whether because we relegate others to simply what we behold,
or whether we allow ourselves to be swayed by beauty absent truth,
or whether we are jealous and petty and cruel.
*I’m going to be honest, I take exception to “irresistible” because I think it removes a significant level of personal integrity from the people these individuals engage with. Who’s fault was it that Eve ate the fruit? Well, considering every person involved in that whole situation had to take responsibility for their actions - the serpent, Eve, and Adam - I’d say they each carry their own contribution to the whole mess. In this case, I think the fruit serves the same role as the Irresistible Girl, though I acknowledge it cannot carry personal moral weight or responsibility as it is inanimate.
Thank you for this interesting comment!
You are right that there is also that there is also the irresistible man, but I am not convinced that he stands in the same place as the irresistible girl. It's hard to think of as many examples. All the examples you give are from Greek myths and the men in question are either gods or god-adjacent. The only other example that springs to mind immediately is Balder the Beautiful, also a god from Norse mythology. So perhaps in these cases the male beauty is a sign of divinity.
I'm inclined, though by no means committed, to the idea that the irresistible girl's male equivalent is the competent man. (Competent man + irresistible girl = Bond film.)
But what you say about the irresistible girl exposing the moral failures of those who interact with her is particularly valuable. I find myself saying, "Why didn't I say that!" Because that is exactly what my books about Elswyth are really about. In the first one it exposes her own moral failures, and the the rest of the series, the moral failures of others, including her mother, her sister, an Abbess, and a King. It is particularly true of the fourth book in the series, which I hope to release soon, in which the point of view shifts to a young man who becomes obsessed with her, and who might well become her savior or her doom.
I don't disagree with you about the use of the term "irresistible" either. Morally and philosophically it does seem to excuse those who fail to restrain themselves. But perhaps there is something ironic about the term irresistible here, a reflection of exactly the thing you raise, that she exposes our moral failures, and calling her irresistible is a sign of that moral failure. But also, as a fairytale character, which is what she is when she appears in literature, the irresistible girl calls forth the fairytale virtue of resisting the irresistible.
That’s a very good point, I hadn’t considered the (partial) divinity of these men.
My initial consideration was that they were all (willing or unwilling) the lovers of gods - hence the tie to the idea of desirability that we see in the irresistible girl. Which I think is particularly pertinent in Adonis’s situation, where he is literally reduced to the sum of his parts: Aphrodite finds a beautiful child and has him raised by Persephone. Persephone raises him and finds him so beautiful that she will not give him up. Ultimately, Zeus gets involved and divies up poor Adonis’s time between the two goddesses (and a third of the year to himself). It’s the very definition of the irresistible - they want him simply because he is beautiful. Although since they are goddesses they have the power to take what they want, which is absolutely horrifying.
I guess when I think competent I would think Odysseus, or Heracles, or even Sisyphus, albeit his competency ran straight to hubris.
I hadn’t broken down the James Bond “competent man + irresistible girl”, but that is the trope to a tee!
And I very much appreciate your insight on the irony of the term - that is such a good point. Also, so very sobering.
I’m so glad you found the bit about the moral failures to be valuable. I have very much enjoyed this exchange!
I thoroughly enjoyed this essay. What a fascinating topic.
The literary construct of the irresistible girl and the, unbeknownst to her, power she wields, brings to mind the stupid actions of victims in horror movies eg. Opening the door we all know will allow the horrors or taking the turn down the path into the misty forest, etc.
Great essay, thanks