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.
4 Dirty Little Tips On Mesothelioma Law And The Mesothelioma Law Industry mesothelioma law firms (egholm-vognsen.Blogbright.net)
9 Lessons Your Parents Taught You About Locksmith Emergency
Cost locksmith emergency cost
17 Signs You Are Working With Auto Attorneys Near
Me car crash attorney near me
17 Signs To Know If You Work With Assessments For Adhd In Adults adhd assessment for adults cost
You’ll Never Guess This Double Glazing Installation Near Me’s Tricks double glazing installation near me
The Best Advice You Can Ever Receive About Freestanding Electric
Range Freestanding electric Fireplace stove
Five Killer Quora Answers To Smart Car Key Replacement Near Me replacement
What Freud Can Teach Us About Replacement Windows Crawley business window Replacement near Me
Guide To Lawyer Injury Accident: The Intermediate Guide The Steps
To Lawyer Injury Accident Lawyer Injury
5 Killer Quora Answers To Gas Fire Engineer Near Me gas fire engineer near me (Finley)
These Are Myths And Facts Behind Pragmatic Slots Free 프라그마틱 무료체험 메타
The Hidden Secrets Of Nissan Key Programming Nissan Pulsar Key Replacement
How To Create An Awesome Instagram Video About Wall.Mounted Fireplace white wall
mounted electric fireplaces (http://Www.maanation.com)
The Most Negative Advice We’ve Ever Received On Link Collection Site 주소모음사이트 (razverni.com)
Indisputable Proof You Need Modern Leather Sofa leather couch
10 Reasons You’ll Need To Be Aware Of Live Casino 프라그마틱 무료슬롯
20 Myths About Hob And Oven: Busted oven and Hob
15 Best Male Masturbaters Bloggers You Must Follow best male masturbater (suprememasterchinghai.net)
Why You Should Be Working With This Scooter Driving License Prawo jazdy b1
The Advanced Guide To Private ADHD Diagnosis UK
Private ADHD assessment Bristol cost (Judi)
The Three Greatest Moments In Espresso Maker History espresso and filter coffee Machine
What’s The Current Job Market For Vehicle Key Repairs Professionals?
vehicle Key repairs
See What Car Key Mobile Locksmith Tricks The Celebs Are
Using Car key Mobile Locksmith
10 Tell-Tale Signs You Must See To Know Before You Buy Case Battles case battles csgo – Haley -
10 Online Mystery Box-Related Projects That Stretch Your Creativity best mystery
boxes (Melba)
How To Create An Awesome Instagram Video About Bunk Bed Tree
House With Slide double treehouse bed (posteezy.com)
Gas Heating Engineer Tools To Help You Manage Your Everyday Lifethe
Only Gas Heating Engineer Trick Every Individual Should Know gas heating Engineer
The Reasons Why Adding A Folding Electric Lightweight Wheelchair To Your Life Will Make All The Difference
best Fold Up electric wheelchair
Five Killer Quora Answers On Double Glazed Door Hinges double glazed door hinges (Tammie)
Asbestos lawyers can assist families seek
compensation from the companies who exposed them to Asbestos Case.
They are skilled in bringing a variety of lawsuits including personal injury
and wrongful death claims.
Guide To Subaru Key Programming: The Intermediate Guide In Subaru Key Programming subaru key Programming
What’s The Current Job Market For Leather Sectional Sleeper Sofa
Professionals? leather sectional sleeper sofa (Flynn)
A Rewind How People Discussed Double Buggy 3 Wheels 20 Years Ago
3 wheel stroller reversible seat – http://www.alonegocio.net.Br -
12 Statistics About Free Slot Pragmatic To Make You Think
Twice About The Cooler. Cooler 프라그마틱 게임
10 Cheap Sleeper Sofas-Related Meetups You Should Attend sleeper sofas for sale (Odessa)
See What Adult Adhd Assessment Tricks The Celebs Are Utilizing Adult Adhd Assessment
You’ll Never Be Able To Figure Out This Single Jogging Stroller’s Tricks single jogging stroller
The 10 Most Scariest Things About Midi Bunk Bed midi Bunk Bed
The 9 Things Your Parents Teach You About Double Glaziers Near
Me Double Glaziers Near Me (Scientific-Programs.Science)
Ten Startups That Are Set To Change The Bi Fold Door Repairs
Industry For The Better bi Fold Door repairs near me
Guide To French Doors To Replace Sliding Patio
Doors: The Intermediate Guide In French Doors To Replace Sliding Patio Doors French doors to replace sliding patio Doors
Full Sleeper Sofa Tips To Relax Your Everyday Lifethe Only
Full Sleeper Sofa Trick Every Individual Should Learn full sleeper sofa
(Madeleine)
10 Tips For Getting The Most Value From Driving License C+E Prawo Jazdy C+E
Why Is There All This Fuss About Replacement Key For Nissan Micra?
nissan x trail replacement key
The Sage Advice On Buy A Driving License A A1 A2 Without A Test From The Age Of Five ile
kosztuje prawo jazdy na skuter (xojh.cn)
Here’s A Little Known Fact About L Shaped Bunk Bed.
L Shaped Bunk Bed L Shaped Bunk Beds With Storage
The 10 Scariest Things About Driving License Category C Prawo Jazdy Na Skuter
15 Funny People Who Are Secretly Working In Driving License Category C prawo jazdy c+e
The Reason Why Buy A Driving License A A1 A2 Without A Test Is
More Dangerous Than You Realized Prawo jazdy c+E (101.43.112.107)
Your Worst Nightmare About Driving License C+E Come To Life prawo jazdy kat c (Aracely)