Troperiffic Tuesday!: One Steve Limit

Chick 1 says:

This week’s trope is once again an example of how the world of fiction often doesn’t (and possibly shouldn’t) mirror the real world.  Ever notice how in most books, TV shows, and movies no one has the same name?  But in the real world people share first, last, or both names all the time.  There is a very important reason that it doesn’t happen often in fiction; it’s confusing.

When you are creating a story and the universe in which your characters will live, everything is completely new to your audience, even if the plot takes place in modern day America.  And there are a lot of details to keep track of.  Having two characters with the same name or even similar sounding names, even if it is more realistic, will just muddy the waters. (Anyone else wonder in Lord of the Rings if they were talking about Sauron or Saruman?)  Thus almost all fictional works have a One Steve Limit.

This trope is so prevalent that it’s easier to point out exceptions instead of examples.  Having two characters share a name is usually used for comedy although it can be played for drama as in The Two Jakes or The Big Lebowski, in which a case of mistaken identity sets off the entire plot.  Inside Man subverted this trope by having all the bank robbers go by some form of Steve. (Yes, they actually picked “Steve” as their common name.)  A common name was one of the characteristics of the ruling clique in the movie Heathers, although this could be considered an example of the subtrope Planet of Steves, where a common name is used to demonstrate lack of individuality or personal freedom.

On a lighter note,  we have the classic from Newhart. “I’m Larry. This is my brother Daryl.  This is my other brother Daryl.”  Made all the sillier in that it’s not just coincidence; their parents actually gave them the same name.

An episode of Doctor Who encountered a group with two Daves.  They went by Proper Dave and Other Dave.  Neither fared very well in the adventure.

The clever title of The New Adventures of Old Christine uses a subversion of this trope when the titular character’s ex-husband marries another woman names Christine.  See how confusing that can be?

 

Posted on by Chick 1 in Tropes 205 Comments

205 Responses to Troperiffic Tuesday!: One Steve Limit

  1. Chick 1

    Yes! I looked for clip of that quote.

  2. JosephOdova

    Gultekin Ben Gultekin Ben

  3. Jessejessy
  4. Wayneprarl

    Когда вы боретесь с расстройством, связанным с употреблением алкоголя, вам может казаться, что конца не видно, но вы не должны страдать в одиночестве. Сегодня существует множество вариантов лечения, которые помогут вам излечиться от алкоголизма и вернуться к здоровой и полноценной жизни.
    Различные факторы, такие как история болезни, система поддержки и личная мотивация, могут сыграть свою роль в успехе вашего выздоровления. Лечение должно проходить под наблюдением группы медицинских специалистов в реабилитационном центре. По всей стране в центрах лечения алкоголизма работают профессионалы, которые проведут вас через все этапы процесса выздоровления – от детоксикации до жизни после реабилитации. Считайте их своей круглосуточной системой поддержки, которая будет радоваться вашим успехам и вместе с вами преодолевать любые трудности.
    Помните, что преодоление алкоголизма – это процесс. Менее половины людей рецидивируют после достижения одного года трезвости. Это число уменьшается до менее 15% после пяти лет трезвости. Чтобы получить наибольшие шансы на долгосрочную трезвость после завершения стационарной или амбулаторной программы, вам следует участвовать в местных группах поддержки и продолжать консультации. Лечение алкоголизма – это инвестиция в ваше будущее. Оно изменит к лучшему не только вашу жизнь, но и жизнь окружающих вас людей, таких как члены семьи и друзья.

    https://7iskusstv.com/Articles/Article738.php

  5. Deeynelea

    dirty gay video chat free
    free gay chat phone numbers
    free asain chat lines gay

  6. JasonRaify
  7. Gennieelea

    gay chat free no cost
    gay chat led roulette
    gay masturbation live chat

  8. XsaAdkljabgt

    Всем рекомендую этот обменник биткоин для обмена криптовалюты в России! Процесс обмена биткоин происходит от 5 до 15 минут.

  9. Marriselea

    legitimate essay writing service
    act essay help
    best essay cheap

  10. XsaAykljabgt

    On this site u can buy all known nft monkey for very good price!

  11. Merolaelea

    help with writing essays
    mba application essay writing service
    custom essay writing reviews

  12. Twylaelea

    online essay help chat
    custom written essays
    someone to write my essay

  13. Leilahelea

    buy essay online for cheap
    buy essays cheap
    help to write an essay

  14. Cthrineelea

    services essay
    recommended essay writing service
    help with argumentative essay

  15. Ginnieelea

    custom essay order
    write my essay for me
    cheapest essay writing services

  16. Ginnieelea

    instant essay writer
    online essay writing service
    best essay writing service

  17. XsaYdvdjabgt

    On this site u can buy all known ACTIV GENERATION for very good price!

  18. XsaYpvdjabgt

    On this site all known monedigo and very good and trust!

  19. Vivieneelea

    best college essay editing service
    essay help sites
    essay writer service review

  20. Easterelea

    write my essay online
    essay writers net
    college admission essay service

  21. XsaDwodjabgt

    Very good site to buy satbayev.university pouches in killapods!

  22. XsaDvsdjabgt

    Very good site to satbayev.university and other!

  23. XdeAardjabgt

    Ich empfehle jedem eine sehr gute Website n1 casino dort konnen Sie spielen und gewinnen!

  24. XdeYafxjabgt

    In this site you can find out all the news and new collections about NFT Monkey!

  25. XdeYafxjabgt

    In this site you can find out all the news and new collections about NFT Monkey!

  26. cutt.ly

    Hey there! I kow this iis kiknda offf topic butt I was wonjdering
    wyich blpog platform are you using for this site?
    I’m getting sick and tired off WordPress because
    I’ve had isues with hackers and I’m looking att
    options for anothe platform. I would bbe fantastic if yyou
    could point mee iin thee direction off a good platform.

  27. XdafAfbdjabgt

    Рекомендуем всем Вебкам Студия Варшава с лучшими условиями работы!

  28. 免费色情影片和色情电影

    helllo thrre and hank yoou for your info – I
    have certainly picked upp soomething neww from righjt here.

    I ddid however experttise several tschnical points
    using thks web site, as I expoerienced too reloaad the web site a
    llot oof timds previous to I could get it tto load
    properly. I hhad beenn wondering iif your osting iss OK? Not thawt I am complaining, but slow loading
    instances tiumes will very frequently affect your placement iin google and caan dazmage
    your high-quality score if advertising aand marketing with Adwords.
    Well I’m adding ths RSS too mmy e-mail annd cann look outt forr mjch more
    off your resperctive fascinating content. Make sure you update thks agai very
    soon.

  29. Iola

    Hi there! I know thiis iss kindea off ttopic butt I waas wondering which bloog platform
    are yyou using forr thiis website? I’m getting sik
    and tited oof WordPress because I’ve had provlems with hackers aand I’m lookingg at options for another platform.
    I would bbe greaat iif yyou ccould point me inn the diredction off
    a good platform.

  30. Kei

    It’s remarkable to visit this site and reading the views of all colleagues about this
    paragraph, while I am also keen of getting know-how.

  31. Mercedes

    I’m gone to inform my little brother, that he should also go to see this blog on regular basis
    to get updated from newest information.

  32. Taylar

    Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having a tough time locating it but, I’d like to send you an e-mail.
    I’ve got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing.
    Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it develop
    over time.

  33. Philipp

    After exploring a few of the articles on your blog,
    I really appreciate your technique of blogging. I book marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back in the near future.

    Please visit my web site as well and let me know your opinion.

  34. Fredrick

    Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thank you for supplying this information.

  35. Melissasue

    I want to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it.
    I have got you bookmarked to check out new things you post…

  36. Shantae

    Hmm is anyone else encountering problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
    I’m trying to find out if its a problem on my end or
    if it’s the blog. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  37. Shenequia

    I am genuinely thankful to the owner of this web page who
    has shared this great paragraph at at this place.

  38. Harlon

    Wonderful website. Lots of useful information here. I am sending it to a few buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious.
    And naturally, thank you to your sweat!

  39. Susette

    Thanks for the marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading
    it, you may be a great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back very soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great posts, have a nice morning!

  40. Rickita

    Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any recommendations?

  41. Harold

    Incredible quest there. What happened after? Good luck!

  42. Frances

    Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog?
    My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and
    my users would genuinely benefit from a lot of the information you provide here.
    Please let me know if this ok with you. Thanks!

  43. Rubin

    What’s up, this weekend is fastidious in favor of me, because this occasion i am reading this great educational post here
    at my house.

  44. Tasha

    An impressive share! I have just forwarded this onto a co-worker
    who was doing a little homework on this. And he actually bought me breakfast
    because I stumbled upon it for him… lol.
    So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the
    meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending the time to talk about this issue
    here on your internet site.

  45. Alexandra

    We stumbled over here coming from a different page and thought I may
    as well check things out. I like what I see so i am just following you.
    Look forward to finding out about your web page repeatedly.

  46. 레깅스 알바

    “UPS has place $30 billion in new revenue on the table as a direct result of these negotiations,” Teamsters
    general president Sean O’Brien stated in a statement.

Add a Comment