  Romance/Love
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Hello, and welcome to my first Romance/Love newsletter! Despite its critics, romance is one of the most consistently popular literary genres. Over the years, the genre has evolved and branched out to include many sub-genres appealing to a wide range of readers. However, there are some elements of romance that never change, and are key ingredients in what is widely accepted as the typical romance ‘formula’. One of these elements is the Alpha characterization of the hero and heroine.
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** Image ID #1298741 Unavailable **
Alpha What?
“You think me too harsh?” he prompted quietly, transfixed by the play of emotions on her face. “You think me a Beast?”
Edana’s eyes locked with his and she stuck out her chin proudly. “I do not think you too harsh, for if I were in your position, I would do the same to you,” she admitted, her voice strong and even. “But I will tell you this much, Bastian Nash; if you mean to break my spirit with this piece of metal, you will be disappointed. You may dress me in rags and cover me in filth. You may mark or brand me in any way you choose. You may call me slave and force me to obey, but you will never change who I am. I am Edana Rambert Stratham, Queen of Somerland. No matter what you say or do, that is who I will always be.”
“There is nothing you can do; nothing you can say that will keep me from taking what you promised me all those years ago.”
He watched as Edana’s hazel eyes drank in the broad expanse of his chest and stomach, venturing for a split second to the exposed flesh below.
Proud, defiant, haughty…the fiery heroine with a strength that both enrages and captivates the hero.
Strong, virile, broad of shoulder…the larger than life hero whose self-assurance draws the heroine like the proverbial moth to a flame.
These are the Alphas; shining stars of the classic romance novel. The descriptive imagery we use to define these characters illustrates basic biological clues identifying the hero and heroine as role models on an instinctual level. In anthropology, these Alpha types exhibit those traits most successful to the survival of the species.
Alpha types were first identified as they related to animal success in the wild. Imagine the majestic lion, king of his pride, and his lioness, fiercely guarding her cubs. The attractiveness of the Alpha is validation of biological quality, taking into consideration factors such as bilateral symmetry (the extent to which a body exhibits balance in its features) and weight/muscle distribution, as signs of health and vitality. These concepts were applied by anthropologists to ancient and modern humans as indicators of why certain traits prevail in the highly aggressive human gene-race.
Hardly romantic ideas, but as we apply them to men and women - specifically romance characters - a clear parallel appears.
The Alpha male is physically powerful. His goal is dominance through acquisition and subsequent protection. His height and weight are visual clues to a strong genetic background and to positive environmental factors in his childhood (the broad expanse of his chest). Upper body strength such as wide shoulders and a well-toned musculature signal that the alpha male is capable of success in gain through aggressive force, self-defense or the protection of what he considers to be ‘his’. Long legs and slim hips show evidence of a lower body strength that allows him to run fast and long, indicative of endurance. Beyond these, any other physical cues for healthy ‘animal’ traits ([his] teeth gleamed, almost feral) are always desirable. Regardless of cultural background, research has shown that females find such strong physical features attractive in males.
The Alpha male normally holds a prominent social position with his ‘pack’ or society due to the combination of his physical prowess, intellect and coping skills. In society, force is only acceptable when necessary, therefore the Alpha hero must temper his capacity for destruction with a stronger force of construction. His intellect is considerable, and is a well-honed tool used to his advantage. He prizes control and tends to repress his emotions, utilizing them when necessary to further his own ambitions or desires. Emotions like love and tenderness tend to be suppressed.
However the Alpha male hero is very human, and possesses the capacity for a full, deep, range of emotions. He just needs the Alpha female heroine to coax them to the surface. The battle of wills between these two powerful characters can cause the Alpha hero to lose his prized control and behave erratically. He will pursue, then reject the heroine as he is bombarded by conflicting emotions he tries to restrain. Jealousy is a common theme as it is an accurate reflection of the alpha male’s territorial tendencies.
The Alpha male inspires an instinctive attraction for most females, who see in him the potential for a valuable mate - one who possesses the qualities necessary for the survival of the species. What better role model could there be for a romance hero? It seems clear enough, but despite the Alpha male’s ‘perfect fit’ in Romance, he has his detractors.
Particularly in recent years, there have been attempts by writers, publishers and editors to feature a Beta male as hero. Though the Beta does have a certain appeal, he seems better suited to the role of second. He is the safe, civilized shadow of the Alpha male - the man you’d probably rather take home, but not the one in your fantasies. Ashley Wilkes to Rhett Butler, so to speak.
And like poor Mr. Wilkes, the Beta male is likely to find himself completely overwhelmed by the potent Alpha female.
The Alpha female is the perfect counterpart for the Alpha male, possessing physical and behavioral traits pointing to the successful survival of the species. She is, in the anthropological sense, a prime breeding prospect. Her curvaceous figure stimulates deeply ingrained genetic codes of fertility and successful child bearing. Research has shown that, regardless of age or gender, males find traits such as a high forehead, full lips and a delicate jaw most attractive. These strong, visually pleasing physical features evidence a good genetic background and indicate positive conditions in the Alpha female’s formative years - traits she will most likely pass on to her offspring.
In romance, the writer strives to tell the story of a woman readers can identify with on some level. This character adopts the typical heroic pattern as she holds the central role in the story. She is much more flexible in her social roles than the hero she with whom she is paired because the story is hers, following her journey of self-discovery and growth rather than that of the hero. She is able to move both vertically and horizontally in the social structure of her world through use of intellect rather than brawn. This quick intelligence inherent to both male and female Alpha characters also allows for witty, exciting dialogue.
The Alpha heroine has a deep capacity for emotional articulation and is fearless when it comes to expressing herself. She will do whatever is necessary to achieve her goals and this strength of will, combined with her innately passionate nature, draws forth the Alpha male’s often suppressed emotions until he is able to admit and articulate his own feelings.
Very often, in spite of her depth of passion, the Alpha female will be a virgin in tales of romance. Preferences for this aspect of the traditional Alpha female vary these days, and an experienced heroine is certainly more common now than in the past. Still, the virginal Alpha heroine continues to enchant romance readers.
Within the anthropological Alpha type, the attraction of the untouched female is the promise of genetic purity - I.e., the male can be certain that his genes and his genes alone will be passed on to offspring. Granted, this isn’t a very romantic notion, but it does touch on basic human instinct, reinforced by centuries of cultural mores. Whether we consider the virginal heroine “politically correct” or not these days, there can be no question that the idea carries a great deal of genetic resonance.
Despite their differences and the friction that they often cause, the Alpha male and female have the same core qualities: physical strength and beauty as a reflection of genetic stability, social status or the desire to obtain it, keen intellect, and emotional depth. These traits are vital to the Alpha type, whether male or female. The combined effect of these similarities and differences produces the raw sexual attraction that keeps readers coming back for more. This inherent sensuality can be drawn upon subtly or with a boldness befitting the Alpha pair.
Perhaps the most important element of the Alpha type as it relates to romance is the formation of a lasting pair bond. The Alpha instinctively seeks to replicate itself, and in romance this instinct is translated into a committed relationship between the hero and the heroine. The development of their relationship and the understanding cultivated by it are enhanced by their shared sexuality.
Do we, as Romance writers, consciously seek out Alpha types to populate our fictional worlds? Do we seek to create characters exemplifying the Darwinian ideal? Hardly. Just as readers embrace these types without provocation, so do we. We are drawn to them because of the depth of emotional resonance they provoke. When two Alpha characters come together, they charge the fictional atmosphere with physical and sexual tension, intellectual play, and high emotion - all key elements of any successful romance novel. They bring to life the romantic fantasies in our hearts and are the people we’d like to be a little more like every now and then.
Ref: http://groups.msn.com/RomanceWritingTips/alphaamours1.msnw
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Here are a few items I’ve found with strong Alpha characters and a “traditional” romance feel:
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What are your thoughts on the Alpha types? Are they outdated and stale, or the heart of the genre? Do you think a Beta would make a good hero or heroine?
Until next time...
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Romance/Love: August 29, 2007 Issue [#1918]
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