Member-only story

Kidnapping His Forever: The Enduring Folklore of Forced Marriages

Doug Price

·8.7k Followers· Follow

Published in Kidnapping His Forever (Folklore 1)

4 min read

481 View Claps

45 Respond

Save

Listen

In the realm of folklore, love stories often weave enchanting tales of courtship, romance, and happily-ever-afters. However, amidst these sugary narratives, a far darker and more disturbing tale unfolds - the age-old practice of forced marriages.

The Abduction Ritual

Across cultures and centuries, kidnapping has been a cruel and invasive means of acquiring a spouse. In folklore, this act takes on a sinister guise, often portrayed as a ritualistic abduction, shrouded in mystery and fear.

Kidnapping His Forever (Folklore Book 1)

by Shaw Hart

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4195 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	73 pages

In Eastern European traditions, the bride-to-be is famously "stolen" before the wedding, often by a group of young men. This kidnapping is not always consensual, and the bride's reluctance and distress are often depicted with graphic detail.

In ancient Greece, the abduction of Persephone by the god Hades became a timeless myth, symbolizing the violent and predatory nature of forced marriages. Persephone's abduction represented the loss of innocence and freedom, forcing her into an underworld of captivity and despair.

The Captive's Plight

Once abducted, the victim's life takes a harrowing turn. Held captive in a stranger's home, they become subjected to physical and emotional abuse, forced to submit to a life they did not choose.

In some tales, the captive finds a glimmer of hope in Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological phenomenon where the victim develops feelings of affection towards their captor. This tragic bond, born out of desperation and survival, further complicates the captive's struggle for liberation.

As days turn into nights, the captive grapples with a constant battle between fear and longing for freedom. The allure of their former life haunts their thoughts, while the reality of their new prison becomes an unbearable weight on their spirit.

The Path to Redemption

Despite the horrors they endure, some captives find a path to redemption. Through cunning, resilience, or the kindness of strangers, they manage to escape their tormentors and reclaim their stolen lives.

In the story of Scheherazade, the cunning queen from "One Thousand and One Nights," she delays her own execution by captivating the sultan with her enchanting tales. Night after night, she weaves spellbinding stories that keep the sultan spellbound, granting her the time she needs to escape.

In the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale "Rapunzel," a young woman imprisoned in a tower uses her long, flowing hair to escape the clutches of an evil witch. Her yearning for freedom eventually sets her free, allowing her to reunite with her loved ones.

The Enduring Legacy

Forced marriages remain a pervasive issue in many parts of the world, even today. The folklore surrounding this dark practice serves as a chilling reminder of the horrors that women and girls still face.

By shedding light on the abducted bride's plight, folklore provides a voice for the silenced and exposes the injustices that have been endured for centuries.

Kidnapping His Forever: The Enduring Folklore of Forced Marriages is a harrowing and poignant tale that uncovers the dark underbelly of love stories. It is a story of abduction, captivity, and the enduring struggle for freedom and redemption.

Through its unflinching portrayal of forced marriages, folklore continues to play a vital role in raising awareness and sparking conversations about this societal scourge. It serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a reminder that the fight against oppression is far from over.

Kidnapping His Forever (Folklore Book 1)

by Shaw Hart

4.2 out of 5