57 pages • 1-hour read
Praise
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Symbols & Motifs
The Salacious Players’ Club
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of sexual content.
The Salacious Players’ Club is a motif that runs throughout both Praise and the Salacious Players’ Club series as a whole. It is a central location in the novel series, and the decision to form the club is Praise’s inciting incident; ownership or membership in the club brings the various protagonists in the series together. The club’s opening is also one of the major events in the novel, serving as a tipping point for Emerson and Charlie, who use the club’s sensual atmosphere to overcome their fears about being together sexually.
In Praise, the club has different meanings for different characters. For Emerson, the club represents his belief in being open and honest about his participation in kink. He refuses to be ashamed of his preferences while living in a society that seeks to shame those who participate in any sexual activity that is characterized as being non-normative. For Emerson, being part of the club means building the kind of accepting world that he wants to see. However, the club is also a source of conflict between Emerson and his son, Beau. Beau considers the club scandalous and is initially ashamed of his father’s role in it; ultimately, he comes to accept that there is nothing immoral in consensual kink.
For Charlie, the club is a site of self-discovery. She is initially somewhat judgmental about kink (although less so than Beau), but she finds, upon visiting the club, that she connects strongly with the sense of liberation that the club seeks to facilitate. The club provides her with opportunities to move out of her previous comfort zones regarding her sexual desires, and she finds this affirming and gratifying. Charlie discovers that the employees of the club are also warm and welcoming, which helps her feel like part of the community they are building. Initially, she only feels like she belongs when she is with Emerson. However, she ends up going there alone, which is a huge step for her confidence. She befriends Madame Kink at the club, which also helps her feel like she is part of the club and the kink community.
The Throne
The throne that Charlie sees in one of the private rooms at the Salacious Players’ Club is a symbol of transformation and power. It helps Charlie grow her understanding of kink, and it also helps her reevaluate her sense of worthiness. When she first sees the throne, she balks at sitting on it, even in a non-sexual context. She feels as though she is unworthy of doing so, seeing it as a place for “kings” and other powerful men. This reflects her internalized beliefs about her own unworthiness as well as her idea that powerful men—rather than women—wield authority and dominance. When she sits on the throne, however, she feels the draw of power that comes from being appreciated as Garrett kneels before her, and she finds the reversal of traditional gender roles exciting. Even though she is not attracted to Garrett, she likes the sense of power she feels with him at her feet. Ultimately, she finds that being in the submissive position is more aligned with her sexual preferences, but experiencing the other side of the dynamic makes her appreciate the diverse emotions that may accompany different kink practices.
The throne also serves as the site for Emerson’s apology after he dismisses his and Charlie’s relationship as “nothing.” He reverses their customary power dynamic positions, taking on a submissive pose by kneeling before her and offering her oral sex. The throne thus symbolizes the sincerity of Emerson’s regret, as he gives up his preferred power structure in order to make his apology. By placing Charlie on the throne, he highlights her agency in their relationship and also indicates that they have a balanced partnership. This ultimately is not a sufficient apology for Charlie, but she does consider it a start toward repairing their relationship.
Further, the throne is also where Charlie explores her sexuality beyond traditional boundaries. Her playful sexual interactions with Madame Kink in the throne room point to Charlie’s willingness to embrace her desires without shame, highlighting the theme of Acceptance and Judgment About Sexuality. Thus, the throne symbolizes Charlie’s journey toward self-acceptance and empowerment.
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