By Sofia Latina,
How does a trope originate? A trope is a storytelling device that carries a meaning which is referential to the action. Many people define tropes with clichés and idioms that have nothing to do with the figurative aspects of the story. Nevertheless, tropes are really common and exist everywhere without being necessarily connected with negative connotations. They are an indispensable part of the plot and can dynamically shape ideologies behind a prominent character such as the special girl trope which is surrounded by standards that make her chase the ideal man for her without focusing on her as an individual. In other words, the film industry throughout history has been using devices that illustrate some situations, predictable or not for the plot of the story, leading to some extent in various clichés for the character’s development.
Examples in the film industry and how they are depicted in society
Tropes in films are quite normal and somehow thoroughly interrelated with the core message of the plot. Thus, they become a real part of the story and a standard approach for a successful one. Being the ‘good girl’ in films is such a standardized way of formulating a female protagonist who has nothing special to display rather than a girl who is in the light of unprecedented actions that focus exclusively on the man who is in love with her. The ‘special girl’ is not as special as she seems or she’s special for the wrong reasons. It may be catchy but by no means progressive and contemporary for a girl that has her unique traits. The trope falls into false perceptions about femininity and her power towards superior activities that become a real obstacle to the things she can successfully attain. It is accepted by history and enthusiastically embraced by thousands of people. Perhaps, this perpetual reproduction of the innocent girl leads to an opposing cliché for the modern world and a stereotypical way of exposing a girl in society.
The impact on society
An intentional problem that comes up along with the specialty and ideality of characters is that it deviates from the norms of everyday life and settles a specific personality for every girl. Unfortunately, this is not the case. People tend to familiarize themselves with characters and seek identification with them, causing complexity and explicitness. They tend to seek love in the sense that try to see their selves on the screens because is not in many cases real. What about giving the chance for screenwriters to deconstruct concepts such as ideal love, romance, specialty, and features that make gender unequal?
Reference
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trope. (2023). Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Available here
