Quote Originally Posted by Satan_Klaus View Post
It has been said before that the men of 'the story of O ' are a sad lot and the reader feels pity for O because she is left in the end. But maybe that is one of the main points why O captures the mind of the dom reader. For me, the protection instinct is a strong factor in my D/S thinking (Even if it is myself who put the girl into her helpless position in the first place). So because there is no man in the story who will protect and take care of O, the reader is enthralled to do so himself in his mind.

Satan_Klaus
You may be on to something, the instinct to protect the "damsel in distress" may not be so far removed from a desire to see distressed damsels, even if one must apply the switch themselves. (Or in Rene's case have someone do it for him whilst he watches)