In another sub, someone commented about female characters who would rather sword fight than sew because sewing is so boring, using that as an example of a character being “not like other girls.”
My reaction to that was “but what if someone just thinks sewing is boring”? Where does a character’s individual trait or traits turn into the dreaded not like other girls trope?
Of course, some authors come right out and say it, either by putting it in a character’s mouth or saying it as part of the narrative. That seems straightforward.
But if neither the character nor author say it explicitly, where do you draw the line? Or is it even a line worth drawing?
by julieputty
2 Comments
I think it becomes a problem when the character’s traits are used to put down other girls or when the character is portrayed as superior for not conforming to traditional gender roles. It’s about the intention behind the characterization.
These sorts of things are more about trends rather than individual examples. If one women a book likes sword fighting and hates sewing that’s a character trait. If there are a lot of women in books, particular in a certain genre, who do the same then it’s a trope.