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. =)