To Be a Slayer

[KingofCretins]

We usually don't do much with gender-specific polling, but there has been a debate over several threads for many weeks over the nature of the Slayer power, the spell that activated them, and the moral and feminist implications of the entire thing.

Despite the clear intention that the Slayer was supposed to be first and foremost a metaphor for female empowerment, clearly various mythological developments for the Slayer have altered that in the eyes of many fans.

So, kind of as a test of how things stand in people's minds, I want to ask our female contributors straight out -- would you *want* to be a Slayer? Knowing what it means, how it is done, and everything that goes along with it, would you be happy or angry if you suddenly were called?

Obviously anyone can opine, but in terms of the poll itself, please reply only if you are actually female.

[Veverka]

I said yes, although really what I meant was "I'm in between"

By which I mean, I'd like to think I'd do it well and accept my calling with grace... Like Giles said to Willow when she said she wanted to just be Willow (approx); 'in the end we are who we are'- I'd like to think I could be that person that was me and a slayer.

However, when I say this, am I just trying to claim I could have it all? What does having it all mean for women? Is the idea that women 'can have it all' a myth, just like slayerdom?

Can we be 'mothers/sisters/daughters/glass ceiling breakers' all at the same time? Can I wear heels/be barefoot and pregnant at the same time? Wherein lies the power, the balance?

[stormwreath]

Question, since it would certainly make a big difference to me if I were allowed to answer your poll:

Is your question "Would you want to be the 'One Girl In All The World' - the sole Slayer?" Or is it "Would you want to be one of the 2,000 or more Slayers who are active since Buffy and Willow cast that spell in 'Chosen'?"

Because my answers would clearly be "no way" and "yes, certainly", respectively...

[ciderdrinker]

I have voted yes, but not for myself but how I would feel about my 14 year old daughter getting salyerised up. It is an extremely cautious Yes, but weighing up the balance it has a more positive effect than negative.

That might seem shocking considering one of the negative sides is death, but I'm gonna presume my newly slayerised daughter is not going to be completely reckless and will get plenty of training in before she tackles anything too dangerous.

The positive side is the empowerment, the purpose and direction that it gives a young girl. A girl of that age is usually floundering amidst the differing attractions of boys, schoolwork, music, tv and the media's portrayal of teenagers, as well as trying to be a good daughter. She has no clue what to do for the best. With the fact that with the powers come with a codicil that you must use them wisely, it would give her focus as to where to go on in life.

The model of Buffy is confusing, because she did both of these things, (had a normal life and did her duty) but lets not forget that Buffy was different from most slayers (rogue slayers apart). My idea is that the model slayer was well trained, fought well and for the right side and generally made a difference in the world. Who wouldn't want that for their daughter?

Obviously, this is where my model slayer/Buffy analogy ends because I wouldn't want my daughter to die an early death, and it's been said many times that Buffy was the exception and that's what helped get so good and last so long.

Is your question "Would you want to be the 'One Girl In All The World' - the sole Slayer?" Or is it "Would you want to be one of the 2,000 or more Slayers who are active since Buffy and Willow cast that spell in 'Chosen'?"

That's a really good question, because it does affect the choice.

In one way it would be much safer for a slayer to be in a team, with others around to help out if the situation was dire, but in the other it dilutes the empowerment effect. One soldier is only as good as the army around him, but a revolutionary can change the world.

[Anon]

I have voted yes, but not for myself but how I would feel about my 14 year old daughter getting salyerised up. It is an extremely cautious Yes, but weighing up the balance it has a more positive effect than negative.

That might seem shocking considering one of the negative sides is death, but I'm gonna presume my newly slayerised daughter is not going to be completely reckless and will get plenty of training in before she tackles anything too dangerous.

That's a really good question, because it does affect the choice.

In one way it would be much safer for a slayer to be in a team, with others around to help out if the situation was dire, but in the other it dilutes the empowerment effect. One soldier is only as good as the army around him, but a revolutionary can change the world.

Bear in mind that if you were one of roughly two thousand slayers, you might not ever have to fight. This would negate the 'getting killed' part.

[ciderdrinker]

Bear in mind that if you were one of roughly two thousand slayers, you might not ever have to fight. This would negate the 'getting killed' part.

Do you mean in the same way as a newly trained soldier never gets to fight? I think it's unlikely that some of the newbies wont see actual action. If they haven't signed up for Slayer Inc, then I suppose it's possible, but as part of Buffy's crew, I expect all of them will see some kind of fighting.

[Anon]

Do you mean in the same way as a newly trained soldier never gets to fight? I think it's unlikely that some of the newbies wont see actual action. If they haven't signed up for Slayer Inc, then I suppose it's possible, but as part of Buffy's crew, I expect all of them will see some kind of fighting.

I was referring to the fact that you could be part of the 70%+ of slayers who didn't join 'Slayer Inc' as you call them, and therefore don't need to get involved with fighting or risking an early death.

[Wolfie Gilmore]

I was referring to the fact that you could be part of the 70%+ of slayers who didn't join 'Slayer Inc' as you call them, and therefore don't need to get involved with fighting or risking an early death.

If I was one of the thousands of slayers, and didn't want to join the scooby fight club, I'm trying to think what I'd do with my newfound strength. It's actually a tricky one, because you couldn't do anything too high profile because you'd draw attention to yourself and possibly end up in a government lab. What would you guys do with it?

I think that I wouldn't want to be a slayer working for Buffy - I wouldn't have control over the direction of the organisation, and that's a scary prospect, given how powerful they are. So, maybe I'd become a rogue demon hunter (what's a rogue demon). Actually, I'd probably try and be loosely affiliated, getting trained by Buffy etc, then offering to go off around the world on all the missions to cool places. Maybe get myself a motorbike. Oh, and a quippy sidekick.

[Veverka]

Maybe get myself a motorbike. Oh, and a quippy sidekick.

Oh yeah, someone cute for the side car

I was referring to the fact that you could be part of the 70%+ of slayers who didn't join 'Slayer Inc' as you call them, and therefore don't need to get involved with fighting or risking an early death.

I don't know- Yes, Buffy was on a hellmouth, but still, trouble found her, an awful lot of the time. I tend to think that the slayers who aren't part of Buffy's crew are still seeing action, just different action, on a different scale. We've had the discussion a little recently about how slayers should be able to sense vamps (I think in the Connor thread?) and equally- can demons/vamps sense slayers? I would assume their spider sense would at the least, tingle. Leading to the occasional interaction/fight to the death.

[Naia]

Yes, I would want to be a Slayer.

If I were the only Slayer in the world, I dare say it would seem terribly unfair to me at first. What a heavy and cumbersome mantle to assume for a teenager, especially since most teens already feel that they're coping with a world of difficulty as it is. Acceptance would come, and I dare say that I'm the sort of person who would enjoy the slaying side of life. Even with all it's risks. And I'd probably do a Buffy-verse and have a few select friends who know and if the annoyingness of slaying got to me would listen to me whinge about it. I'm such a klutz with my own secrets you see. But therein lies one of the things that caused the most trouble for Buffy's version of Slayerdom. With her connections to family and friends as strong as they were, while it almost definitely kept her alive longer, when there were baddies who knew her identity everyone she loved was in potential danger. And I would worry about that if I were a Slayer.

If I were one of the thousands of Slayers, I'd still be annoyed at first I think, but I'd get over it and focus on the task at hand. Probably wouldn't join a Slayer grouping, but would likley be the sort who has a companion or two who go out fighting trouble when it finds them or vice-versa. (And I strongly believe that the Slayers are drawn to trouble even if they don't mean to be.) Maybe even be the sort who goes out looking for new Slayers to help them out and get them to where they need to be. Or I'd just totally copy Wolfies's awesome idea with Veverka's addition.

Seriously though, large sacrifices have to be made in the life of any Slayer. I'm not a believer in having and eating one's cake, there always seems to be a flip-side. No matter if you're the only one or one amongst many, responsibility comes first and when weighing up the costs you would have to understand the possible risks and benefits to all involved in your life as a result of your actions.

But a cute, quippy sidekick and a classic motorbike with sidecar would help make things a lot more bearable.

[kana]

That might seem shocking considering one of the negative sides is death, but I'm gonna presume my newly slayerised daughter is not going to be completely reckless and will get plenty of training in before she tackles anything too dangerous.

I'm not sure. I don't have a daughter but I can't imagine being thrilled if she was one. I certainly wouldn't be thrilled if she signed up to slayer gang. And there may be also be negative consequences even if she didn't. If someone were to find out she was a Slayer, she may be a target and not just from the forces of darkness.

The positive side is the empowerment, the purpose and direction that it gives a young girl.

You see this is the issue I had: that empowerment and purpose were a) exclusive to being a Slayer or b) that a Slayer would necessarily feel those things.

A girl of that age is usually floundering amidst the differing attractions of boys, schoolwork, music, tv and the media's portrayal of teenagers, as well as trying to be a good daughter.

These things wouldn't necessarily go away and to be honest, I'd rather those were her worst worries. Maybe that's the Joyce in me coming out. lol.

She has no clue what to do for the best. With the fact that with the powers come with a codicil that you must use them wisely, it would give her focus as to where to go on in life.

Of course I cannot talk for any teenage girl but there are so many ways to define yourself, and that's if you chose to define yourself.

The model of Buffy is confusing, because she did both of these things, (had a normal life and did her duty) but lets not forget that Buffy was different from most slayers (rogue slayers apart). My idea is that the model slayer was well trained, fought well and for the right side and generally made a difference in the world. Who wouldn't want that for their daughter?

Making a difference? If this is what she wanted but in way that she chose and preferably something that wasn't too dangerous. If she was made different against her will ok, but it's up to her what she does with it however there can be a different set of consequences with this power whether she joins the Slayer brigade or not. At the very least I would want to make her aware of that. As a parent, that's the best I could do.

Obviously, this is where my model slayer/Buffy analogy ends because I wouldn't want my daughter to die an early death, and it's been said many times that Buffy was the exception and that's what helped get so good and last so long.

Also she was lucky a bunch of times too. I certainly wouldn't want my daughter...

Spoiler:

to end up like that one in The Chain

In any case I'm sure if I had a daughter, she could change the world (I'm sure a lot of parents think that) but two things: 1)the world's all different after that and 2) she doesn't need to be a Slayer to do it.

[holypotatoes]

OMG at first I would love being a Slayer!!! I would probably be more like a Faith at first. You know excited and happy to dust as many baddies as possible. That's if there are baddies. Am I a Slayer in real life or in the Buffyverse? If it was real life I would probably become like a bounty hunter or Buffy's true profession, a law enforcement officer. No but I think it would get old and tiresome the longer I had to do it. Just like any other job. It's fun if you want to go do it (like exercising) but when you have to drag your butt out of bed everyday to go and do it when you don't feel like it, is an absolute drag. Also I like getting sleep and being a slayer I don't think I would be getting much of it. I think being in mortal danger for the rest of your life would be kind of depressing but if you knew me in real life I'm probably the happiest person you'll ever meet so I might not have a problem with the depression thing. At least not for awhile. If I die at a young age while fighting I could at least say I did something with my life that was worth while. Plus it might be better dying that way instead of by cancer or something. So yes long story short I wouldn't be upset if I was called to be a slayer but after awhile it would get old.

[alexa]

I guess I say yes. Although not sure about being the only one on the planet, it would be a heavy burden, no wonder they give them watchers.. I'd really want one.
As it is now, I say yes for sure. Seems like you have more of a choice, then if there's just one. I was reading tales of the slayers and I noticed at the begining when the first slayer is explained to why they only pick one.. basically because they wouldn't trust that much power with more then one woman.
Plus there's all those general bonuses.. defending yourself a little better.. naturally fit.... opening jars.

[Nina]

I really don't want to be a slayer.

After 7 seasons of Buffy who hated being a slayer, I don't want to be one. Of course superpowers are fun, but the whole package ... I don't want to think about it.
The guilt that you can't save everybody, the dreams, the enemies and of course the awful CoW ... not my thing. Besides I don't want to die before I'm 20, I don't want to give up my study, or leave my family and friends.

I think it would be lonely & harsh.

[vampmogs]

I wouldn't want my daughter to be a slayer either. The superiority complex, if your daughter is nice, an inferiority complex to go with it. Not to mention the strength, that as Caleb states, brings lonliness with it. That constant feeling of isolation isn't nice, nor would horrible dreams and feeling abnormal be nice either. Not to mention that if she did accept her duties she'd be dealing in violent attacks everynight by a assortment of horrible creatures. I wouldn't wish that on my daughter, to be subjected to that kind of physical and emotional abuse is heartbreaking.

[Ehlwyen]

Question, since it would certainly make a big difference to me if I were allowed to answer your poll:

Is your question "Would you want to be the 'One Girl In All The World' - the sole Slayer?" Or is it "Would you want to be one of the 2,000 or more Slayers who are active since Buffy and Willow cast that spell in 'Chosen'?"

Because my answers would clearly be "no way" and "yes, certainly", respectively...

It's so funny, I would have to say the exact opposite. And for the same reason as ciderdrinker has listed - purpose.

The positive side is the empowerment, the purpose and direction that it gives a young girl. A girl of that age is usually floundering amidst the differing attractions of boys, schoolwork, music, tv and the media's portrayal of teenagers, as well as trying to be a good daughter. She has no clue what to do for the best. With the fact that with the powers come with a codicil that you must use them wisely, it would give her focus as to where to go on in life.

As a normal young girl, not a lot of responsibility, obligation, and purpose is thrust upon you. Usually you're expected to graduate school, but if you didn't do anything else with your life except get married and have kids you would be considered a success and have a worthwhile life.

So for those of us out there that would like to help affect the world, but just need a push in a direction, being a slayer would give that purpose and create that sense of responsibility and commitment.

In one way it would be much safer for a slayer to be in a team, with others around to help out if the situation was dire, but in the other it dilutes the empowerment effect. One soldier is only as good as the army around him, but a revolutionary can change the world.

For me it dilutes the purpose effect. You lose that obligation and can take the mentality again of, "oh someone else can save the world." Freedom to do anything is wonderful, but without purpose, you end up going nowhere.

But yeah, I'd be smart enough not to put my life in danger and therefore would not choose the life of a Slayer. However, if I was indeed Chosen I would stand up and embrace it.

[Andrew]

I'm actually rather surprised that 'Yes' is the more common answer. I'd refuse in any but the most extreme circumstances. The powers of a Slayer don't hold any allure to me and the side effects (psychological problems etc.) even more off putting. Super strength and enhanced senses don't have any real benefit to me beyond my Slayer duties.

I enjoy having an ordinary life and would hate having to be a Slayer, having the responsibility of the world on my shoulders. I would crack under the loneliness and pain of being one. And frankly, I would suck at saving the world.

The obligation of being a Slayer which seems to attract other people is the main repellant for me. Anyone who needs the obligation of being a Slayer to give them direction wouldn't make a good Slayer in my opinion. Part of being a slayer is having you own direction and being able to make your own decisions, anyone dependent on their Slayerdom to direct them in life probably wouldn't be proactive enough for the role.

[Tigger96]

Would I want to be a Slayer? Yes and no, but mostly no.

Yes, only because it would be an awesome feeling to be able to effect the world on such a scale, to be able to save the world from impending doom. Or to have the ability to protect those around me. And having a built-in workout every night, hey, cool.

But, the more sensible side of me comes back with a resounding No. My teenage years were hard enough, thank you very much. To add the responsibilities of a Slayer on top of that, I can't even begin to imagine (okay, I can...all I've gotta do is watch, huh?)

I don't need the powers/responsibilities of Slayerdom to have purpose in my life...I've already got that. Having my life in mortal danger on a regular basis, not really my cup of tea. And the fact that my status as Slayer could, at any moment, put those I love in danger, no thank you. I would much prefer to be able to spend my time enjoying my friends and family instead of constantly worrying about whether the monster of the week is gonna come after them and have to rescue them. I wouldn't want my life to influence theirs to THAT degree. There's also the fact that I enjoy the mundane things in life: being able to take the time to read a good book, watch a movie, spend time on the 'net.

So, knowing all that comes with being a/the Slayer, I would have to say, no, I would not want that.

[buffyholic]

I voted yes but I?m not sure. I mean, being the one and only Chosen one? Not really, it?s a very harsh gig to do. Having the weight of the world upon me, having to defend my life everytime and protect everyone, no matter what costed me. It?s a very lonely thing. And then, personal live collides with being a Slayer. I mean, if I were one of the potentials called, yes. To be one of the many slayers and kick demon ass, fine. But not if I was alone in it and by the way, a slayer lifespan never lasts much.

[carousel_girl8]

I voted no because I think it would be way too much to handle. I agree with what Ciderdrinker said to an extent yeah it would give a young girl purpose but it would also mean that it is likely she would never grow up, slayers die young, Buffy may be a great slayer but she herself has died twice. It is far too much responsibility to cope with and you would never have a normal teenage life. I have trouble fitting my uni work in now so I don't think I would be able to carry on if I had the pressure of the world on my shoulders too.