When watching a new drama series or the latest horror movie, do you find yourself wondering why many of the characters act very similar to those in other shows and films of the same genre? The patterns that you see with certain characters and the reason you can often get a sense of who a person is right off the bat is not due to lazy writing; it is because the actor is adhering to a certain character trope. In short, character tropes have certain qualities and elements that make it easier for the audience to understand their purpose in the overall plot. For example, when telling a story set in medieval times, there is almost always a damsel in distress (though many modern movies are turning this trope on its head), a hero who saves the day in an epic way, and a sidekick of some sort that allows for comedic relief. When we take a look at more modern stories, the tropes are actually being altered to better represent our ever-changing society.
Grey's Anatomy Needs to Leave this Misogynistic Trope Behind
