Shippensburg University

Search
Search
News
Multimedia
Sports
Ship Life
Opinion
Subscribe
Entertainment
Send a Tip
Podcasts
Donate

Shippensburg University

°
Full Forecast

Saturday, July 5, 2025

The Slate

Subscribe

Print Edition

  • News
  • Opinion
  • Ship Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • Multimedia
  • Send a Tip
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Ship Life
  • Multimedia
  • Podcasts
  • Special Issues
  • Send a Tip
  • Donate
Search

Subscribe

 

2/13/2015, 8:14am

Sex Sells: A Look at ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’

By Matthew Kline

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Mail
  • Print

Originally a “Twilight” fan fiction dubbed “Master of the Universe,” the “Fifty Shades”

series is three books written by E.L. James that have ended up on best-seller lists around

the world and, together, sold more than 100 million copies. What is it all about?

Sex.

The story follows college graduate Anastasia Steele, who becomes involved with a

businessman named Christian Grey. The series follows their relationship, primarily

through sexual acts of bondage, discipline, dominance, submission and sadomasochism,

commonly referred to as BDSM.

On February 13, 2015, the first book is producing a movie, titled “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

However, with the territory of popularity comes controversy and, in this case, lots of it.

There are multiple sides to the controversy, but it all revolves around the sexual acts that

are depicted in the book. People who partake in BDSM say the books depict a

relationship surrounded around domestic abuse, rather than a healthy relationship.

Since the books depict the relationship so violently, it makes untrue stereotypes about

BDSM seem like a reality and has feminists upset that it makes it look normal and

healthy. Many feminist and domestic abuse groups are in protest over the film.

It even stretches to other forms of entertainment, like video games. Recently in Australia,

Target stores removed “Grand Theft Auto V” from their shelves due to complaints of the

graphic content in it. The gaming community fired back saying they should remove the

“Fifty Shades” series from their shelves, as well, arguing that you need an ID or

consenting adult to buy the game; however, anyone can purchase a book, or even a

movie, without the need for an ID.

Now that it is being made into a worldwide feature film, people are concerned about

younger audiences seeing the movie. The movie, like the book, is heavily centered on

sex. About one-fifth of the movie is sex scenes, which is leading to a lot of people

complaining that Hollywood is essentially producing porn.

The UK recently put a rating of 18+ on the movie, also saying that there is no way to see

the film without being that age or above. As a result, adults can neither accompany nor

authorize a minor to view the movie.

Despite all this, the almost NC-17 movie, but hard R rating, is slated to make upwards of

$60 million during its opening weekend and only increase as Valentine’s Day

approaches.

“Fifty Shades of Grey” is set be released in theaters February 13, 2015.

Share



Related Stories

TLOU Season Two: The Lodge Scene

By Jeremiah Clawson

TLOU Season Two: The Lodge Scene

By Jeremiah Clawson

‘InZOI’ vs. ‘The Sims 4’

By Mara Robinson


The Slate welcomes thoughtful discussion on all of our stories, but please keep comments civil and on-topic. Read our full guidelines here.


Most Popular


6/5/2025, 7:19pm

Shippensburg University student faces charges following assault in SU dorm

By Evan Dillow

6/27/2025, 2:32pm

SU MSA director Diane Jefferson passes away at 72



  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Work For Us
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Ship Life
  • Entertainment
  • Sports

All Rights Reserved

© Copyright 2025 The Slate

Powered by Solutions by The State News.