The story of Rasputin's influence on the Imperial family and their attitude toward him is extremely complex and cannot easily be characterized. It is full of many conflicting aspects and is difficult to explain when most people want simple answers. An interesting comparison of a similar situation of Royal wives under attack by using false sexual stories are the spurious books written about Marie Antoinette in the 1780's - 1790's. They were untrue, but the public believed them and the falsely created rumors have stuck with her ever since. She never said it, but the tabloid press reported it and the expression is indelibly linked to this tragic woman.
Tabloid journalism works.
There have been some interesting books written on the subject of how the traditional male-dominated patriarchal societies habitually depict powerful women as either madonnas or whores. Wives of men in power who stay home, take care of the kids, remain silent subservient and focus on church and kitchen are 'good'. You can see this in our country today. I could not believe this old dirt being resurrected about Alexandra and Rasputin, and you have brilliantly framed this against contemporary views of women. Lisa I am sure there will be more to come, so I will continue to add to this as the letters come in.