Chick 1 says:
Exciting! Another new series: Trope of the Week.
What is a trope? A trope is a device, motif, recurring theme, or even a cliche used in storytelling. It can be a character type, a specific line or style of dialogue, a plot device, even a type of location or set.
A trope itself is neither good nor bad. In fact, used appropriately it can be an effective tool. In storytelling, whether in literature or film or other media, a lot of information needs to be communicated to the audience without bogging down the pace with lots of backstory or exposition. A trope can be a kind of shorthand that the creator and audience have agreed on and recognize so the audience knows what to expect and can concentrate on more important parts of the plot.
When overused it can make the storytelling lazy or one dimensional. It then becomes a cliche and distracts from the story.
One of my favorite trope sources is the website tvtropes.org. It is a massive user-run collection of all tropes film, tv, literary, anime, video game, ad nauseum. I’m a bit of an addict.
This week’s trope is currently a popular one; the Manic Pixie Dream Girl. The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is, obviously, a female character type. She is pretty, spontaneous, non-conformist, and above all else, quirky. Cute and quirky are pretty much the two key ingredients for Manic Pixie Dream Girl. She is not usually the protaganist but is often used to rescue the male protaganist from his dull emotionless existence. She is full of the wonder of life and marvels at the delight that each moment holds.
The phrase was first used to describe Kirsten Dunst’s character in 2005′s Elizabethtown but the archetype has been around a lot longer than that, going all the way to Katherine Hepburn in Bringing Up Baby and back. Other Manic Pixie Dream Girls include Barbara Streisand in What’s Up Doc?, Sarah Jessica Parker in L.A. Story, Charlize Theron in Sweet November (with a twist of tragedy) and Natalie Portman in Garden State.
But the current reigning monarch of all Manic Pixie Dream Girls is Zooey Deschanel. Almost every role she plays, from (500) Days of Summer to Yes Man is some form of this type. Her new TV show New Girl (quite funny by the way) is almost entirely based on her embodiment of this archetype. On the flipside, a writer on this trope’s page points out that in Elf her character is pretty jaded and that Will Ferrell is actually the Manic Pixie Dream Guy.
Edit:(4/29/12) OK, this is what happens when I’m excited and I want to post an article. I post and then think about it and have more to say or correct. In regards to Zooey, she actually started out as the snarky best friend in movies like Abandon or Failure to Launch. In fact, her character was one of the few bright points in Failure. She only moved to Manic Pixie Dream Girl after movies mentioned above.
What Manic Pixie Dream Girls have you picked up on?
And now for your viewing pleasure, a couple of videos. First up, Zooey makes fun of her own reputation on SNL
And even better, the need to care for all these Manic Pixie Dream Girls roaming the streets has finally led to a home being set up for them. Enjoy.
11 “Faux Pas” That Are Actually Acceptable
To Make With Your Pram Bags Stroller Travel
The Steve Jobs Of Private ADHD Diagnosis UK Meet You The
Steve Jobs Of The Private ADHD Diagnosis UK Industry getting an adhd diagnosis uk
Ten Things You Need To Learn About Mystery Box mystery Box opening online
16 Must-Follow Facebook Pages For What Causes Mesothelioma Other Than Asbestos-Related
Businesses Mesothelioma Attorney
What’s The Job Market For Volvo Replacement Keys Professionals Like?
volvo replacement Keys
10 Methods To Build Your Glazing Repairs Near Me Empire
double glazed Repairs near Me
You’ll Never Guess This Electric Fires Wall Mounted’s Tricks Fires Wall Mounted
Bandar Online Togel Tools To Help You Manage Your Everyday Lifethe Only
Bandar Online Togel Trick Every Person Should Be Able To Bandar online togel
20 Things Only The Most Devoted Ford Key Replacement Near Me Fans Understand replacement ford ka key
10 Lavazza Coffee Beans 1kg-Friendly Habits To Be Healthy 1kg of Coffee beans
How To Explain Jaguar Xf Replacement Key Fob To Your Grandparents
jaguar replacement Keys uk
What Fiat 500 Key Experts Want You To Learn how to open fiat 500 boot
without key (wifidb.science)
Get Rid Of Walking Desk Pad: 10 Reasons That You No Longer Need It walking pad for under desk
See What Bmw Car Key Cover Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use Of bmw car key cover
You actually explained it effectively.
best online casino 10 deposit best online casino sites canada fun online casino
A Trip Back In Time A Conversation With People About Mesothelioma Attorney Texas 20
Years Ago Mesothelioma lawsuits
10 Facts About Saab Key Programming Near Me That Make You Feel Instantly A Good Mood saab ignition key
7 Secrets About Bentley Bentayga Key That Nobody Will Share With You bentley continental gt keys
3 Reasons Your Pod And Bean Coffee Machine Is Broken (And How To Repair It) coffee pod machines, Www-coffeee-uk03044.Bloguerosa.com,
7 Essential Tips For Making The Most Out Of Your Anxiety Symptoms Pain In Chest separation anxiety Symptoms
20 Questions You Should Always Ask About Replacement Car Key Near Me
Before Buying It car key copy near me
10 Meetups About Asbestos Attorney Mesothelioma You Should Attend mesothelioma lawsuits
5 Killer Qora’s Answers To Costa Coffee Beans 1kg Coffee Bean 1kg
See What Audi A1 Key Replacement Tricks The Celebs Are Making Use
Of Audi A1 key replacement
20 Myths About SEO Services In London: Dispelled Cheap Seo Services London (Sixn.Net)
5 Killer Quora Answers To Window Doctor Near
Me Window Doctor Near Me
15 Things You’re Not Sure Of About Fleshlight Fleshlight toys
What’s The Job Market For Bioethanol Fireplace Professionals Like?
bioethanol Fire
The Top Reasons Why People Succeed In The Electric Treadmill Foldable Industry Foldable electric Treadmill cheap
What’s The Job Market For Treadmill With Incline Uk Professionals?
treadmill with incline uk (Earle)
How To Get Diagnosed With ADHD UK Tools To Make Your Daily Life How To Get Diagnosed With
ADHD UK Trick That Every Person Must Know get diagnosed With adhd
Are You In Search Of Inspiration? Check Out Volkswagen Car Key
Replacement volkswagen Beetle key fob
Foldable Electric Wheelchair Uk: A Simple Definition Lightest Electric folding wheelchair
Ten Audi Spare Keys That Really Make Your Life Better audi spare keys
This Is How Mystery Boxes Will Look In 10 Years mystery box open game
A Guide To Audi Replacement Key From Start To Finish Audi replacement Keys
What To Do To Determine If You’re Ready To Go After
Automobile Locksmith automotive Locksmith Key Programming
What’s The Current Job Market For Treadmill Foldable Electric Professionals Like?
Foldable Electric Treadmill
The Upvc Window Hinge Case Study You’ll Never Forget window hinge Replacement
Guide To Double Glazing Window Repairs: The Intermediate Guide To
Double Glazing Window Repairs window repairs
Contemporary Wood Burning Stoves Tips From The Best In The Industry small Wood burning Stoves uk
10 Things That Your Family Taught You About Daftar Akun Togel Resmi Daftar Akun Togel Resmi
The Biggest Issue With Wall Electric Fireplace And How You Can Fix It Ethonal fire
Five Things You’ve Never Learned About Private Consultant Psychiatrist how much is a private Psychiatrist
The Story Behind Biofuel Fire Will Haunt You For The Rest Of Your Life!
bio fuel fireplace
Bandar Togel Terpercaya Tools To Make Your Everyday Lifethe Only Bandar Togel Terpercaya Trick
That Every Person Must Be Able To bandar togel Terpercaya
10 Window Glass.Replacement Tricks All Experts Recommend
replacement Glass for windows uk
9 Lessons Your Parents Teach You About Chiminea Large
Clay Chiminea Large
See What Rollator Mobility Walker Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing rollator mobility walker
5 Killer Quora Answers To Mesothelioma Compensation Mesothelioma Compensation