Post by Phoenix on Jan 15, 2007 18:27:18 GMT 10
Mary Sue (sometimes shortened simply to Sue) is a pejorative term for a fictional character who is portrayed in an overly idealized way and lacks noteworthy flaws, or has unreasonably romanticized flaws. Characters labeled Mary Sues, as well as the stories they appear in, are generally seen as wish-fulfillment fantasies of the author.
The term originated in criticism of fan fiction. It usually refers to characters created by the (fan) author of the work, but can also be used in reference to characters from the original canon source who are characterized in a way perceived as Sue-like.
Traits associated with the concept of the Mary Sue
Characters labeled as a "Mary Sue" have what are seen as exaggerated and annoying (and sometimes impossible) levels of superiority, especially in comparison to the other characters, to real people in similar situations, or both. While "Mary Sue" is a subjective term, there are nonetheless many traits commonly associated with the concept of the "Mary Sue".
Typically, characters most commonly labeled as "Mary Sues" are set apart from others in the story by their unique and exceptional skills and traits. Mary Sues are extremely physically attractive, and their appearance may include an unusual "natural" hair or eye color. (Eyes may also be depicted changing colors according to time, place, emotion, or other causes.). Exotic names are not an unusual trait. They may be a race which is uncommon or unknown in the story's setting, or even a hybrid of two or more species. They may have unusual pets or magical possessions, often simply to increase their perceived specialness compared to the other characters.
Many Mary Sues have skills remarkably like the canon characters, often considerably more advanced than what would be expected of their age group in canon or the real world. These skills are usually received without need for practice or experience. Mary Sues are usually presented as highly moral, sometimes sacrificing their lives or happiness for the sake of other characters, even when this Western viewpoint would be uncommon for the setting of the story.
Tragic backgrounds are also common among Mary Sues, which frequently include family abuse or neglect, or, in fan fiction, relations to major canon characters through blood or strangely contrived family ties.
Another widely accepted symptom of Mary Sue-ness in a character is his or her similarities to his or her author, such as shared hobbies, likes and dislikes, and opinions, and the same nationality or age. Many alleged Mary Sues, however, have more dramatized physical appearances, backgrounds, and hobbies than those of their authors, which characterize them as resembling more the author's ideal person rather than the author him or herself.
Mary Sues sometimes display a degree of self-insertion, especially in fan fiction, where they often cause things to happen that the author wishes would occur in canon. They may mock and humiliate characters the author dislikes, or recognize generally disliked characters (e.g. villains) that the author likes as merely misunderstood or troubled. Mary Sues may bring together characters the author thinks should be romantically involved with one another or become romantically involved with characters to whom the author is attracted.
To further emphasize Mary Sues' superiority to the other characters, authors will frequently describe their looks, life, and aptitudes not only in great detail, but frequently, have other characters notice their looks even when they usually wouldn't, and make them admired and praised by other characters in the story. Mary Sue characters typically never display any of the dysfunctional psychological profiles often associated with tragic backgrounds. If these characters have flaws or limitations, they are either minor and/or endearing quirks (such as a fiery disposition), or yet another hardship for them to effortlessly overcome.
Anti-Sue
In an effort to create a character who is not a Mary Sue, some authors will go to an extreme reversal of the typical "Mary Sue" traits. These "anti-Sues" will sometimes be described with just as much detail as their Mary Sue counterparts; however, the description will usually be one that tells the reader in extreme detail how plain or ugly, unpopular, poor, naive, pessimistic or cynical, etc., the character is. The term can be applied to either original or fan fiction. The character may also have a belief or belief system that may involve endangering the lives of some canon characters (e.g religious fanaticism, etc.), or which otherwise runs counter to modern Western values (such as racism), and are generally disliked by the canon characters. The perceived success of such characters in avoiding the pitfalls of Mary Sueism vary.
taken from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary-Sue
The term originated in criticism of fan fiction. It usually refers to characters created by the (fan) author of the work, but can also be used in reference to characters from the original canon source who are characterized in a way perceived as Sue-like.
Traits associated with the concept of the Mary Sue
Characters labeled as a "Mary Sue" have what are seen as exaggerated and annoying (and sometimes impossible) levels of superiority, especially in comparison to the other characters, to real people in similar situations, or both. While "Mary Sue" is a subjective term, there are nonetheless many traits commonly associated with the concept of the "Mary Sue".
Typically, characters most commonly labeled as "Mary Sues" are set apart from others in the story by their unique and exceptional skills and traits. Mary Sues are extremely physically attractive, and their appearance may include an unusual "natural" hair or eye color. (Eyes may also be depicted changing colors according to time, place, emotion, or other causes.). Exotic names are not an unusual trait. They may be a race which is uncommon or unknown in the story's setting, or even a hybrid of two or more species. They may have unusual pets or magical possessions, often simply to increase their perceived specialness compared to the other characters.
Many Mary Sues have skills remarkably like the canon characters, often considerably more advanced than what would be expected of their age group in canon or the real world. These skills are usually received without need for practice or experience. Mary Sues are usually presented as highly moral, sometimes sacrificing their lives or happiness for the sake of other characters, even when this Western viewpoint would be uncommon for the setting of the story.
Tragic backgrounds are also common among Mary Sues, which frequently include family abuse or neglect, or, in fan fiction, relations to major canon characters through blood or strangely contrived family ties.
Another widely accepted symptom of Mary Sue-ness in a character is his or her similarities to his or her author, such as shared hobbies, likes and dislikes, and opinions, and the same nationality or age. Many alleged Mary Sues, however, have more dramatized physical appearances, backgrounds, and hobbies than those of their authors, which characterize them as resembling more the author's ideal person rather than the author him or herself.
Mary Sues sometimes display a degree of self-insertion, especially in fan fiction, where they often cause things to happen that the author wishes would occur in canon. They may mock and humiliate characters the author dislikes, or recognize generally disliked characters (e.g. villains) that the author likes as merely misunderstood or troubled. Mary Sues may bring together characters the author thinks should be romantically involved with one another or become romantically involved with characters to whom the author is attracted.
To further emphasize Mary Sues' superiority to the other characters, authors will frequently describe their looks, life, and aptitudes not only in great detail, but frequently, have other characters notice their looks even when they usually wouldn't, and make them admired and praised by other characters in the story. Mary Sue characters typically never display any of the dysfunctional psychological profiles often associated with tragic backgrounds. If these characters have flaws or limitations, they are either minor and/or endearing quirks (such as a fiery disposition), or yet another hardship for them to effortlessly overcome.
Anti-Sue
In an effort to create a character who is not a Mary Sue, some authors will go to an extreme reversal of the typical "Mary Sue" traits. These "anti-Sues" will sometimes be described with just as much detail as their Mary Sue counterparts; however, the description will usually be one that tells the reader in extreme detail how plain or ugly, unpopular, poor, naive, pessimistic or cynical, etc., the character is. The term can be applied to either original or fan fiction. The character may also have a belief or belief system that may involve endangering the lives of some canon characters (e.g religious fanaticism, etc.), or which otherwise runs counter to modern Western values (such as racism), and are generally disliked by the canon characters. The perceived success of such characters in avoiding the pitfalls of Mary Sueism vary.
taken from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary-Sue
