Pronunciation Guide

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

“O” is for oppression

Ugh. Hi.

It took me an embarrassingly long time to think of something for “O,” and I didn’t even think of it. It’s pathetic, really. It’s the top word on my business card (which contains a list of story-themes), and it’s, well, a theme in my story. Like, a major one.

Yep. “O” is for…oppression!

In my story-world, the Hulcondans rule everything. If you know my story at all, you know that. You also probably know how much I love them regardless. Ha! But despite not every Hul being a total buttwipe – and there really are good ones, I promise – they ARE, on the whole, an oppressive regime.

Definition of OPPRESSION:
~ unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power
~ something that oppresses especially in being an unjust or excessive exercise of power

An oppressive rule is often TYRANNY:
~ oppressive power; especially oppressive power exerted by government tyranny of a police state>
~ a government in which absolute power is vested in a single ruler

My Huls have complete power. They assign a job for each citizen. They make people go home at dusk. When they call an Assembly, anyone who doesn’t come or is late can be arrested. They take whatever freedoms they want from the people, and the town Lord’s word in the city is law. If he wants to make it that no one can go outside, he merely has to say so. They can arrest anyone for anything, and they reserve the right to do whatever they want whenever they want. They are exempt from whichever laws they choose. They can make new rules about whatever they want. They can put people in the stocks for disrespect, and what “disrespect” means or looks like is up to their discretion. They crush the slightest insurrection. They marry whatever single woman they want, whether her parents truly agree or not. No one refuses them. And no one can really fight against them: they are the government, the police, and the military.

Yes, they have complete power…and the worst part is they’ve been raised to believe they’re the protectors, the saviors. The people trust them. The Hulcondans trust themselves.

This is what my people are coming out of.
This is what my rebels are up against.

It’s so fun. =)