Last month, I wrote about my favorite literary tropes, and I wanted to follow it up with a look at a few tropes that I’m less fond of. My intention isn’t to complain or cast judgment (for the most part), but to explore what it is about each trope that I dislike. Several of the entries on this list are actually quite good, when executed well. It’s just that I don’t see them done well all that often. As before, these are in no particular order.
1. Love Triangle
Love triangles, when done well, work as really great symbols of a person torn between two life paths. Generally, one represents the familiar, while the other symbolizes something new and exciting but dangerous or risky for that uncertainty. There generally isn’t a wrong choice, which makes the tension better.
Love triangles, when done poorly, reduce female characters to nothing more than a piece of meat with no agency that two men are fighting over, both telling her that they know best.
More often than not, love triangles are not done well, and I’m honestly kind of sick of them.
2. Soulmates/Love at First Sight
Romance has never been my genre of choice, and if I were to list all the romance tropes that rub me the wrong way, we’d be here all day. But my problem with them mostly lies is in what those writers portray as love.
To me, love is always a choice. It is not an inevitability, a cure-all, the completion of a person, or something anyone is owed or entitled to. Love does not excuse unhealthy behavior or toxic traits (past, present, or future). It is not a guarantee of a happily ever after.
But I’ll get off my soapbox.
3. Damsel in Distress
At the risk of sounding pedantic, there is a very fine line (at least in my mind) between a damsel in distress and a rescue mission. A rescue mission occurs to save a captured person along the larger journey/quest of the story. A damsel in distress is usually the end goal, and the damsel in question is more often than not the ‘prize’ the hero gets for winning.
For example: Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty are classic damsels in distress. They are held hostage until the prince or king in their story arrives to save them, at which point they get married and live ‘happily ever after’, even though they’ve only just met (and you’ll remember that I don’t hold much belief in love at first sight).
On the other hand, Princess Leia of Star Wars is a great example of a rescue mission. Like the fairy tale princesses, she’s held captive by the big bad. But her rescue happens as part of the story and advances the plot beyond her being a pretty prize to win.
4. The Chosen One
Chosen ones are a bit of a sore spot for me. Often, they’re miraculously skilled in ways people far beyond their years and training are, for no other reason than they must be if they’re going to be the one to save the world.
But what really bugs me about chosen ones is when there’s a prophecy involved. If a kingdom is overthrown, or evil descends on the land, I can understand that a prophecy would give people hope that it’s not forever. But you know what it also does? IT KEEPS ANYONE BUT THE CHOSEN ONE FROM EVEN ATTEMPTING TO FIGHT BACK! Talk about self-fulfilling prophecy.
5. Web of Lies
Lies that start small and grow out of control. I hate them. Don’t ask me why.
6. Deus Ex Machina
I’m not sure there’s anyone who truly enjoys this trope. It’s the concept of some previously unknown force or power stepping in at the last minute to save the day (think the Eagles showing up out of absolutely nowhere at the end of The Lord of the Rings to help fight and save Frodo and Sam). It’s a sign of poor writing, in my opinion. Those great powers can certainly exist, but if they’re a factor in your story, weave it in more naturally.
What literary tropes drive you crazy?
Until next time, word nerds!
Kate G. Jameson 