In The Fifth Season, N.K. Jemisin, the author, includes a variety of cursing to stress certain statements like shit, fuck, and “rust.” Coming across the first curse word in the trilogy, I was actually taken aback, because in my experience, fantasy writers customarily choose to be PG with their language. With the discussion of why Jemisin specifically adds in curse words, I could not help, but be curious behind the science of cursing.
Whether or not one may believe, cursing is effective. According to psychologist Timothy Jay, in response to cursing a person’s sympathetic nervous system is triggered. One tends to start sweating, open their pores, raise their pulse, and involuntarily dilate their pupils. Mentally and physically, a person can feel a sense of relief when using curse words in order to convey emotions that they otherwise, would not be able to express as strongly. For example, according to one study, it was found that people were better able to deal with being partially submerged in icy water when actively cursing. So, there is actual science behind the act of cursing!
Personally, I think cursing serves as an outlet for those that lack better words in the moment. Cursing is a universal aspect of storytelling in that sense. But, when cursing is overly stigmatized, I believe that it holds the opposite effect, and gives cursing more appeal and power. Most curse words in popular media have become desensitized with the exception of racial and homophobic slurs, because of the heightened political awareness of our culture. Not saying that young children should be taught such profanity or be exposed to it, but I think there should be a healthier conversation around the use of cursing. But, like most things, there is a double standard for cursing for women and men. Men that curse are more readily accepted in social settings with the “boys will be boys” mindset, in juxtaposition with women, who are then drawn as “vulgar” and “unladylike.” But, are we rusting surprised? No.
So, here is what to take away from this blog post: curse as frequently as you can, whenever you can. Alas, if only. But in all seriousness, I quite like that Jemisin made the conscious decision of adding in curse words, because it makes the trilogy more human. The genius of Jemisin never fails to surprise me, in this case, her creation of the curse word “rust” for the Stillness.