Is a romance between a hundreds of years old vampire and a teenage girl a problem? This is particularly the question that the New York Times. The media takes the famous saga as an example Twilightwhere 17-year-old Bella Swan and 104-year-old Edward Cullen fall in love. For American daily life, it is necessary to question this very large difference in age and experience, increasingly used as a narrative spring in fantasy and young adult literature.
For several months, a term gaining popularity among fans of this literary genre : the “shadow daddy” or “the shadow dad”. Difficult to give a precise and unique definition. Each reader interprets it in their own way. However, some common characteristics can be identified.
This term generally refers to an elderly person, but young in appearance, capable of exercising a certain influence, with or without powers. These “daddies” are often supernatural creatures such as vampires, angels, fae or gods. They represent a protective figure towards the protagonist.
We find them in particular in the best-selling saga of the American novelist Sarah J. Maas, A palace of thorns and roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses). The first four novels in the saga have sold 37 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 38 languages. For many readers, Rhysand’s character embodies the “shadow daddy” archetype by being charismatic, dark and powerful all at once.
Another magical creature, Tamlin, can also be referred to as this. At the beginning of the story, he kidnaps a young girl named Feyre, with whom he falls in love. The age difference here is 481 years. He justifies his domination by an instinct to protect her. Initially presented as romantic, the relationship turns out to be unbalanced and abusive.
It is precisely in this type of representation that these “shadow daddies” can be problematic, romanticizing toxic patterns and passing off manipulation as love. As noted by New York Timesit is necessary that these “shadow daddies” do not take advantage of their partner’s youth and their possible naivety.
For several readers interviewed by the New York Timesthe appeal of this type of character lies in the fact that they don’t have to be taken care of. With hundreds of years of life under their belt, shadow daddies have acquired enough skills and experience to no longer depend on women.
For these readers, these characters represent a form of liberation from mental burden and a reversal of traditional roles, in a certain way. They also fantasize about a man who knows what he wants. “200 is about the age men need to reach to synchronize with women’s maturity.”balances a daily fantasy lover.
