Dominance/submission:
There is a definite sado-masochistic element to Joker and Harley's relationship along with the obvious Dominant/submissive dynamic. I feel that over the years Harley has learned to enjoy the pain Joker inflicts on her physically, because his engagement with her would rarely be normal. There is, after all, a fine line between pleasure and pain and pain that he causes her is still him touching her and taking notice of her. There might be an exception to this when he is furious with her and lashing out, but generally I think Harley derives joy from his punches as from his caresses, not least because he would enjoy it. Harley probably rationales it as attention, and an awareness of her in his space. It is possible there is a delirium in it for Harley, to be an object upon which Joker can express himself, to offer herself up as a canvas of sorts.
Reviewing the relationship as a whole and placing it strictly within a D/s context, it fits in very much with a typical D/s relationship: In the Dominant role, Joker gives Harley a sense of self (despite obliterating her “normal” persona) and purpose, he creates for her scenarios through which she may act out her role as his submissive, acting out his will (whether this be crimes, tasks, sexual play or a punching bag) and he is extreme, in control, and in his own way, nurturing of Harley. He encourages her behaviour and coddles her on occasion with baby talk and petting. In the submissive role, Harley is able to coerce Joker’s attentions, whether pleasurable and positive or not, as well as the attention of others (as Joker’s girlfriend) and gratify her own needs to please by constantly striving to fulfil Joker’s (and perhaps, sub-consciously, deliberately making mistakes when she is not getting the attention she craves). Within Joker’s world of chaos, Harley can absolve herself of responsibility for the things she does or for her life in general and simply concede herself to Joker’s wants and needs, allowing him to direct her. (1)
The difference between this and most D/s relationships, however, is that it is not mere roleplay nor have the boundaries been discussed and set, and in a manner of speaking, it is non-consensual in that it lacks the self-awareness that a typical D/s relationship has. It is played absolutely as real-life, rather than an ongoing fantasy.
There is also a hint of a Daddy/girl dynamic between them, another popular relationship exchange in the BDSM community. Operating on a slightly different level to D/s it involves the Dominant partner playing the role of the 'Daddy' - the authority figure and the guardian and controller, and the submissive partner the 'girl' - usually enacted in an immature, playful and dependent way. The point made above, of Joker’s insane world allowing Harley to abandon responsibility, also fits into this dynamic. Although we have seen Harley is capable of great determination and focus, we also see a somewhat flaky personality, more fond of having fun and getting things done the easy way. Possibly her life as a psychiatrist and of being a ‘grown-up’ was a stress she couldn’t handle. With Joker setting and defining the parameters of her world, she is once more free to play the child, gratifying her desires heedless of societal laws and guidelines, and of only having him to answer to. Of course, Joker refers to himself as 'Daddy' when he talks to Harley, but this does not mean the roles are formalised between them, more that the dynamic simply exists. Joker can be very indulgent and coddling of Harley as well as ‘disciplining’ her when he sees it as called for.
There is a definite sado-masochistic element to Joker and Harley's relationship along with the obvious Dominant/submissive dynamic. I feel that over the years Harley has learned to enjoy the pain Joker inflicts on her physically, because his engagement with her would rarely be normal. There is, after all, a fine line between pleasure and pain and pain that he causes her is still him touching her and taking notice of her. There might be an exception to this when he is furious with her and lashing out, but generally I think Harley derives joy from his punches as from his caresses, not least because he would enjoy it. Harley probably rationales it as attention, and an awareness of her in his space. It is possible there is a delirium in it for Harley, to be an object upon which Joker can express himself, to offer herself up as a canvas of sorts.
Reviewing the relationship as a whole and placing it strictly within a D/s context, it fits in very much with a typical D/s relationship: In the Dominant role, Joker gives Harley a sense of self (despite obliterating her “normal” persona) and purpose, he creates for her scenarios through which she may act out her role as his submissive, acting out his will (whether this be crimes, tasks, sexual play or a punching bag) and he is extreme, in control, and in his own way, nurturing of Harley. He encourages her behaviour and coddles her on occasion with baby talk and petting. In the submissive role, Harley is able to coerce Joker’s attentions, whether pleasurable and positive or not, as well as the attention of others (as Joker’s girlfriend) and gratify her own needs to please by constantly striving to fulfil Joker’s (and perhaps, sub-consciously, deliberately making mistakes when she is not getting the attention she craves). Within Joker’s world of chaos, Harley can absolve herself of responsibility for the things she does or for her life in general and simply concede herself to Joker’s wants and needs, allowing him to direct her. (1)
The difference between this and most D/s relationships, however, is that it is not mere roleplay nor have the boundaries been discussed and set, and in a manner of speaking, it is non-consensual in that it lacks the self-awareness that a typical D/s relationship has. It is played absolutely as real-life, rather than an ongoing fantasy.
There is also a hint of a Daddy/girl dynamic between them, another popular relationship exchange in the BDSM community. Operating on a slightly different level to D/s it involves the Dominant partner playing the role of the 'Daddy' - the authority figure and the guardian and controller, and the submissive partner the 'girl' - usually enacted in an immature, playful and dependent way. The point made above, of Joker’s insane world allowing Harley to abandon responsibility, also fits into this dynamic. Although we have seen Harley is capable of great determination and focus, we also see a somewhat flaky personality, more fond of having fun and getting things done the easy way. Possibly her life as a psychiatrist and of being a ‘grown-up’ was a stress she couldn’t handle. With Joker setting and defining the parameters of her world, she is once more free to play the child, gratifying her desires heedless of societal laws and guidelines, and of only having him to answer to. Of course, Joker refers to himself as 'Daddy' when he talks to Harley, but this does not mean the roles are formalised between them, more that the dynamic simply exists. Joker can be very indulgent and coddling of Harley as well as ‘disciplining’ her when he sees it as called for.