Why Literature Should Fight Back Against the 'Girl Boss' and 'Mary Sue' Tropes
I was having a chat with my wife the other night and asked her what puts her off most when it comes to reading novels. To my surprise she said how she disliked in modern books the trope of the woman who can do everything. This then got me thinking and researching and I came across this fantastic post on substack that is well worth a read - https://substack.com/home/post/p-146781256
In recent years, the literary landscape has seen a surge in female characters that are either depicted as 'girl bosses' or fall into the 'Mary Sue' category. While these tropes aim to promote strong female protagonists, they often undermine the complexity and authenticity of female representation in literature. Here’s why literature should resist these oversimplified archetypes.
Understanding the Tropes
The 'Girl Boss': This character is often portrayed as an empowered, ambitious woman who excels in her career and personal life. She epitomises success and independence, frequently overcoming obstacles with ease. However, this portrayal can be problematic because it tends to reduce the character to a symbol of perfection and infallibility, stripping away the layers of realism that make characters relatable and human.
The 'Mary Sue': A 'Mary Sue' is a character who is seemingly perfect and lacks flaws or real challenges. She is often depicted as universally loved, highly skilled, and morally impeccable. This trope is critiqued for creating unrealistic standards for female characters, making them less engaging and believable to readers.
The Issues with These Tropes
Lack of Complexity: Both tropes tend to present one-dimensional characters who do not evolve or face significant internal conflicts. Literature thrives on the complexities and growth of its characters. When female protagonists are depicted as flawless or overly idealised, it deprives readers of the rich, multifaceted personalities that drive compelling narratives.
Unrealistic Expectations: The 'girl boss' and 'Mary Sue' characters can set unrealistic standards for real women. By showcasing characters who can do it all without struggle or sacrifice, these tropes can contribute to the pressure on women to emulate such unattainable ideals, both in literature and in real life.
Narrow Representation: These tropes often exclude diverse experiences and identities. Real women come from various backgrounds, face different struggles, and have unique stories. Literature should reflect this diversity instead of resorting to clichéd and narrow portrayals.
Impact on Young Readers: Young readers, especially girls, can be influenced by the characters they read about. When they constantly encounter 'girl bosses' or 'Mary Sues', they may internalise the idea that worth is tied to perfection and success. Literature should offer them characters who navigate failures, face imperfections, and grow through their experiences.
Embracing Authentic Representation
To move beyond these tropes, authors can focus on creating nuanced and authentic female characters. This involves:
Complex Character Development: Craft characters with strengths and weaknesses, ambitions and fears. Allow them to make mistakes, learn, and evolve. Characters should reflect the depth and variety of real human experiences.
Realistic Challenges: Present characters with realistic challenges that require growth and adaptation. This not only makes for more engaging stories but also offers readers relatable and inspiring role models.
Diverse Voices: Include diverse voices and experiences in literature. Characters from different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds can enrich the narrative landscape and provide a more inclusive representation of womanhood.
Emotional Authenticity: Focus on the emotional journeys of characters. Exploring internal conflicts, personal struggles, and emotional growth can create compelling and relatable protagonists.
While the 'girl boss' and 'Mary Sue' tropes emerged with the intention of celebrating strong female characters, they often fall short of providing the depth and authenticity that literature needs. By embracing more complex and realistic portrayals, authors can offer richer narratives that resonate with readers and contribute to a more inclusive and realistic representation of women in literature. It’s time for literature to fight back against these oversimplified archetypes and champion the diverse, multifaceted stories that real women deserve.
