While Norman holds the esteemed title of a philosophy professor, the deeper
philosophical layers of the Gor series seldom receive attention. This oversight
largely stems from the novels' unsettling themes of sexual subjugation, which
render them distasteful to many critics. The phenomenon of the Gor novels
achieving bestseller status provokes uncomfortable reflections on the society
that embraces them. Some critics, who choose to approach Norman with
seriousness, contend that the novels' focus on sadomasochism has overshadowed
the philosophical insights embedded in Tarl Cabot's first-person accounts. At
times, Cabot embarks on lengthy philosophical monologues. Beneath the veneer of
scholarly language, some of his assertions resonate with common sense:
vulnerability invites bullies, weaker nations frequently fall prey to merciless
foes, and individuals require a guiding purpose. When societal structures
crumble, as depicted in Ar after its capitulation to Cos's forces, young people
form gangs, carving out territories to defend, echoing dynamics seen in some
sprawling American metropolises.
Another, perhaps more unsettling observation in Magicians of Gor
highlights the scorn heaped upon courageous soldiers by their own people after
a defeat in defense of Ar. Rather than being celebrated or aided, these
veterans are vilified, blamed for not just the war’s loss, but for the entire
conflict itself. This narrative appears to mirror the experiences of many
American Vietnam War veterans. Through manipulation and fear, Cos is rebranded
from an unyielding enemy to a wronged ally of Ar, perceived as liberators
rather than oppressors. Norman seems to hold a dim view of human independence
of thought; the citizens of Ar are willing to believe whatever aligns with
their desired perceptions.
Biological Determinism in Gor
The majority of...
Gor novels grapple with the notion of biological determinism. A prevalent belief in the twentieth century, biological determinism posits that genetic makeup, hormones, and evolutionary heritage predominantly shape individual destinies, with the environment playing a minimal role. This concept has tantalized some futurists, who envision a society cleansed of undesirable traits through genetic manipulation, leading to utopian communities where virtue is enforced by advanced technology. Norman takes this deterministic ideology and, within a so-called "primitive" warrior society, applies it to gender dynamics.
Norman's Intentions and Criticisms
There is a possibility that Norman aims to mock the idea that biology
dictates destiny — the belief that people are predestined to become what they
are as adults. Early 1970s critics speculated that Norman was indulging in
personal sexual fantasies within the Gor series, sharing these with his
audience. This might hold truth, yet the intellectual discourse interspersed
throughout Magicians of Gor suggests the Gor world's sadomasochism
transcends mere fantasy fulfillment for a sexually frustrated author. Tarl
Cabot, the story's narrator, recurrently asserts that women are innately
destined for servitude, while men are meant to be masters. On Earth, he
observes, men and women frequently find dissatisfaction in mutual company. This
is attributed to societal constraints (likely referencing American society)
that force individuals into unnatural roles benefiting a select few elites, to
the detriment of general welfare.
According to Cabot, when women adopt male roles, they betray their true
nature, dooming themselves to lives of unhappiness. True contentment, he
argues, arises from women embracing enslavement to men. Thus, when women from
Earth are brought to Gor as slaves, they discover a newfound happiness serving
men completely, fulfilling what evolution intended for them. Cabot often refers
to enslaved women as embodying true femininity, whereas free women are
portrayed as lost in misery, devoid of genuine femininity. Conversely, men
suffer unhappiness when required to treat women as equals; this unnatural
interaction can only be rectified when a man assumes the role of master. He
must understand women are biologically inclined to cater to his every demand,
and that no woman truly finds satisfaction unless she is a man's slave.
Psyche and Satire
Most psychiatrists would likely recoil from Cabot's extreme perspective on
gender relations. Human relationships are generally acknowledged as too
intricate for Cabot's simplistic reasoning. Yet, Cabot claims that human
connections on Earth are unnecessarily complicated. In Gor, these complexities
are stripped away, revealing purportedly straightforward relationships as
nature intended. The notion that women desire degradation, such as groveling at
men's feet, or enduring whippings to affirm their subjugation, and to be viewed
akin to domesticated animals, appears perverse. While simplistic solutions
might appeal to youthful minds, adult experiences overwhelmingly indicate that
most women abhor abuse.
Could the Gor saga be a fierce critique of biological determinism?
Considering Norman, a pseudonym for a genuine philosopher familiar with the
labyrinthine modern philosophical landscape, this interpretation seems
plausible. Much of twentieth-century philosophy hinges on the belief that the
physical realm alone exists, dismissing supernatural aspects. Biological
determinism logically emerges from the premise that humans are solely physical
beings — devoid of minds, spirits, or divine entities. On Gor, biological
determinism reigns supreme. The deities of Gor, far from resembling the
Christian God, are timid, insect-like beings, rendering the Goreans' spiritual
lives almost farcical and suggesting that biological determinism inadequately
addresses spiritual needs.
Even the most enigmatic occurrences on Gor, such as the baffling vanishing
act performed by Boots Tarsk-Bit involving a woman, can be unraveled through
the pragmatic lens of Tarl Cabot. Yet beneath the hard-edged skepticism and the
raw savagery driven by primal instincts lies an intriguing paradox. Cabot and
his fellow traveler Marcus defy their own biological imperatives, acting
selflessly rather than out of personal gain, choosing to prioritize the welfare
of others. The sadomasochistic backdrop of Gor seems utterly deranged, a
chaotic tapestry perhaps intentionally woven to provoke thought.
The Satirical Nature of Gor
This, however, does not absolve Norman of culpability for the gender roles
he portrays in his narratives. If the Gor saga is intended as satire, it is a
jest lost on almost everyone. Moreover, his work Imaginative Sex from
1974 hints at a more earnest stance on sadomasochism and the notion that women
find fulfillment only through subservience to their masters. The extent to
which the vast readership of the Gor series buys into these biological
assertions remains a subject of speculation. After all, these tales are
marketed as fantasies, with the sexual elements merely fantasy; for the
audience, they may serve as nothing more than light-hearted escapism. Those who
accuse the Gor books of being pornographic are likely overstating their case.
While undeniably offensive to many, offensiveness alone does not equate to
pornography.
Subtle Sexual Themes in the Narrative
In reality, the sexual content in Magicians of Gor is not graphically
detailed. It is present but approached with subtlety; a distracted reader might
overlook it entirely. Yet, the story commences with a free woman's capture and
enslavement for daring to pursue a handsome male slave. The scene is chilling,
as she is ensnared in a net, her freedom slipping away like sand through
fingers. Shortly after, Marcus mistreats his own slave, Phoebe, who
enthusiastically cleans the grime from his feet gathered from the streets of
Ar. Phoebe is depicted as ecstatic in her servitude, yet the scene is jarring
for the uninitiated reader. Elsewhere, women endure being "cuffed" — slapped
with a hand — for minor breaches of the stringent slave code. Such scenes
inevitably evoke images of women battered by their partners in reality, their
bruised features a stark contrast to any romanticized notion of a love slave
transformed into a sex goddess. Critics of the maltreatment of women have every
justification for their outrage at Magicians of Gor.
Exploring Themes of Slavery
Another unsettling facet of Magicians of Gor is its focus on slavery.
The narrative is thin; nearly three-quarters of the book is consumed with the
depiction and rationalization of slavery. On Gor, slavery is ubiquitous, and
only rarely do characters express unease, particularly when considering male
submission to female masters. Such trepidations are infrequent. Generally,
slavery is portrayed as a biological inevitability; the strong naturally
dominate the weak. Women, being inherently weaker, are thus predestined to be
subjugated by men. For men deemed weak — particularly those who regard women as
equals or as beings whose emotions matter — slavery is considered fitting, for
at least in their servitude, they serve true men, natural men, as biology
intends.
The naming conventions of Gor's inhabitants echo those of the classical eras
of Greece and Rome, suggesting parallels with those times where slavery was
widespread. Yet reflecting on America's own grim history with slavery reveals
it not only as despicable but as corrosive to the souls of both slaves and
owners. Notably, slaves of antiquity despised their bondage, a sentiment
strangely absent in Magicians of Gor. The relentless glorification of
female enslavement on Gor, contrasted with earthly practices deemed
hypocritical, insinuates that female slavery holds a superiority over earthly
norms.
The Legal Institution of Slavery on Gor
Within Gor, slavery is entrenched as a legal institution, safeguarded by the
law itself. Women are enslaved because they are deemed to be, branded as if
they were livestock, devoid of any agency. They can be bought, sold, traded,
subjected to any manner of labor, and executed at the whims of their masters.
Tarl Cabot, who once grappled with the moral quandaries of Gor's slavery, now
seems unperturbed by it; indeed, he seems to endorse it.
