Trope of the Week: Manic Pixie Dream Girl

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.

Posted on by Chick 1 in Tropes 3,580 Comments

3,580 Responses to Trope of the Week: Manic Pixie Dream Girl

  1. Local Seo service

    15 International SEO Services Benefits That Everyone Should Be Able To Local Seo service

  2. 프라그마틱 정품인증

    8 Tips For Boosting Your Pragmatic Return Rate Game 프라그마틱 정품인증

  3. Paula

    5 Things Everyone Gets Wrong On The Subject Of Replacement Key For Renault Clio renault replacement key (Paula)

  4. double Glazing Window hinge repairs

    The Top Reasons People Succeed Within The Replacement Window Hinges Industry double Glazing Window hinge repairs

  5. pediascape.science

    What Are The Biggest “Myths” Concerning Best American Style Fridge Freezer May Actually Be Right fridge freezers American style (pediascape.science)

  6. canvas.instructure.Com

    What’s The Current Job Market For Accident Claims Lawyers Professionals?
    accident claims Lawyers [canvas.instructure.Com]

  7. Alfredo

    You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Solid Wood Cotbed’s Benefits
    solid wood cotbed (Alfredo)

  8. Item Upgrader

    5 Killer Quora Answers On Item Upgrader Item Upgrader

  9. Linkvault.Win

    A Delightful Rant About Electric Fireplace Suite UK Electric Fire
    And Surround Suite – Linkvault.Win -

  10. French Style Fridge Freezers

    Ten American French Style Fridge Freezers That Really Help You Live Better French Style Fridge Freezers

  11. Laurinda

    You’ll Never Guess This 2 In 1 Highchair’s Tricks 2 in 1
    highchair (Laurinda)

  12. 2018 kia Sportage key Fob programming

    How Kia Picanto Key Fob Replacement Became The Top Trend On Social Media 2018 kia Sportage key Fob programming

  13. Bromley Windows

    Looking For Inspiration? Look Up Double Glazing Repair Bromley Bromley Windows

  14. Online Mystery Box

    Find Out What Virtual Mystery Boxes Tricks Celebs Are Utilizing Online Mystery Box

  15. Garrett

    You’ll Never Guess This Double Single Bunk Bed’s Secrets double single bunk – Garrett,

  16. vidio bokep anak smp

    It’s truly very complicated in this full of activity life to listen news on Television, so I just use internet for that purpose, and get
    the newest information.

  17. mid cabin bed

    What’s The Job Market For Mid Cabin Bed Professionals
    Like? mid cabin bed

  18. Top-rated mesothelioma lawyer

    What Is Mesothelioma’ History? History Of Mesothelioma Top-rated mesothelioma lawyer

  19. Nan

    20 Questions You Should Always To Ask About Leather Chesterfield Sofa Before You Purchase Leather Chesterfield Sofa grey
    leather chesterfield (Nan)

  20. wood and pellet stove

    The No. Question That Everyone In Pellet Stove Stores Near Me Should Be Able To Answer wood and pellet stove

  21. Rosaria

    How To Fix Tilt And Turn Windows Techniques To Simplify Your Daily Life How To Fix Tilt And Turn Windows Trick That Should Be
    Used By Everyone Learn how to fix tilt and turn windows;
    Rosaria,

  22. Antony

    10 Meetups About Glass Door Repair You Should Attend glass doors repairs (Antony)

  23. Benny

    What Is Vehicle Diagnostics And How To Use What Is Vehicle Diagnostics And How To Use bmw diagnostic – Benny -

  24. situs Togel dan slot terpercaya

    You’ll Be Unable To Guess Situs Togel Dan Slot Terpercaya’s Secrets situs Togel dan slot terpercaya

  25. mesothelioma case

    Your Family Will Thank You For Getting This Mesothelioma Settlement
    mesothelioma case

  26. Baby Mobility

    What You Can Use A Weekly Best Prams Project Can Change Your
    Life Baby Mobility

  27. private Adhd assessment worcestershire

    5 Lessons You Can Learn From Private Testing For ADHD private Adhd assessment worcestershire

  28. treadmill foldable incline

    The 10 Scariest Things About Treadmill Foldable Incline
    treadmill foldable incline

  29. patio door glass Repair

    The Best Patio Door Repair Near Me Methods To Change Your Life patio door glass Repair

  30. 프라그마틱 슬롯 팁

    8 Tips To Improve Your Pragmatic Slot Experience Game 프라그마틱 슬롯 팁

  31. paito warna hk 6d harian

    Good way of explaining, and pleasant article to take data about my presentation focus, which i am going to convey in academy.

    https://rajapaitowarnahk.com/

  32. Collette

    10 Facts About Car Key Fob Programming Near Me That Make You Feel Instantly Good Mood car
    keys programmed near me (Collette)

  33. 2010 toyota corolla key programming

    Why No One Cares About Toyota Spare Key 2010 toyota corolla key programming

  34. private adhd assessment peterborough

    10 Best Books On Private ADHD private adhd assessment peterborough

  35. replacement key For nissan qashqai

    How Nissan Key Programming Became The Hottest Trend In 2023 replacement key For nissan qashqai

  36. great crib

    The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Great Crib great crib

  37. skoda Key programming

    Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Skoda Key Programming
    skoda Key programming

  38. 프라그마틱 슈가러쉬

    It’s The Ugly Real Truth Of Pragmatic Slot Recommendations 프라그마틱 슈가러쉬

  39. paito sydney 2023 warna

    It’s wonderful that you are getting thoughts from this post as well
    as from our discussion made at this place.
    https://paitosydneywarna.com/

  40. Adhd assessment uk Free

    Private Adhd Assessment London: 11 Things You’re Leaving Out Adhd assessment uk Free

  41. Private Adhd Assessment Sunderland

    11 Ways To Totally Defy Your Private ADHD Assessment
    Wales Private Adhd Assessment Sunderland

  42. Angelia

    Case Opening Battle Tips To Relax Your Daily Lifethe One Case Opening Battle Trick That Every Person Should Know
    battle case csgo – Angelia,

  43. g28-car-key-solutions26866.hamachiwiki.com

    See What Key Fob Stolen What To Do Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing key fob
    Stolen what to do (g28-car-key-solutions26866.hamachiwiki.com)

  44. bifold Doors repair

    10 Things Everybody Hates About Bifold Door Repairs bifold Doors repair

  45. Spare Car Keys

    7 Secrets About Car Key Cut And Program Near Me That Nobody Will Tell
    You Spare Car Keys

  46. Luther

    What’s Holding Back In The ADHD Private Diagnosis Industry?
    private adhd assessment lancashire (Luther)

  47. repair Car Remote Control key

    A Peek Into The Secrets Of Car Key Fob Repair Near
    Me repair Car Remote Control key

  48. Top rated Chiminea

    10 Things That Your Family Teach You About Top Rated Chiminea Top rated Chiminea

  49. 프라그마틱 순위

    Could Pragmatic Genuine Be The Answer For 2024′s Challenges?

    프라그마틱 순위

  50. attorney accident lawyer

    The Reasons Why Lawyers For Accidents At Work Is The Main Focus
    Of Everyone’s Attention In 2023 attorney accident lawyer

Add a Comment