Quote Originally Posted by slave802120
PS: The Sadean concepts of "virtue" and "fall from grace" very much are at play in blackmail fantasies. In one of his books (120 Days, I think) he makes the statement (paraphrased) "it's far more enjoyable to dominate one's peers than an inferior person." He also believed there was more fun to be had "disgracing" the virtuous whose falls from grace would always be much deeper, longer and harder than those who might not have had many morals to begin with. I like these types of themes in preference to "the haughty bitch" who is blackmailed because the haughty ones tend not to be so "innocent" and thus there can be a certain sense of righteousness in seeing them punished and humiliated.

Ah yes, the harder they fall …
 De Sade himself, when he was sentenced to death for the first time (allegedly) cried out: "At last, I am completely soiled!" Who could fall harder then he - in his eyes, of course? (He was not guilty of anything except 'crime of speech'.)
Somewhere in Juliette one of his dom charaters gives Marshall's medal (whatever it was) he has just won (bought, actually) to his accomplice-sub to wipe her behind - then proceeds to humiliate her. Who is being humilated - The King? Whole social order De Sade despised, while using every every advantage it gave him? The master (who is utter coward)?

Yes, you are completely right about fear factor and 'stealing just a little bit of breath' but too many authors want to go really far. If they take minute steps - when are they to get there?In ten years?
And I still think that in blackmail/humilation sub-genre staring point is not that imortant - it's the process itself.

Subtle or gross. That's the question.

Pejanon