Mary Sue And Gary Stu

Mary Sues and Gary Stus: Understanding and Avoiding the Tropes of Perfect Characters

The terms "Mary Sue" and "Gary Stu" are often thrown around in creative writing circles, usually with a tone of disdain. But what exactly are they, and why do they provoke such strong reactions? This article will get into the characteristics of Mary Sues and Gary Stus, exploring their origins, common traits, the nuances of their portrayal, and ultimately, how to avoid creating these often-unlikeable characters in your own work. Understanding these tropes is crucial for crafting believable, relatable, and engaging characters that resonate with readers.

What are Mary Sues and Gary Stus?

A Mary Sue (or Gary Stu for male characters) is a fictional character, often found in fan fiction but also appearing in original works, who is excessively idealized and unrealistic. They are generally self-insert characters—protagonists who reflect the author's wish fulfillment, often possessing exceptional abilities, flawless appearances, and improbable good fortune. Their flaws, if any, are often minor and easily overcome. They tend to be instantly admired and loved by everyone they meet, effortlessly solving problems and achieving success without facing significant obstacles or consequences.

The term originated in the Star Trek fandom in the late 1970s, referring to a character created by Paula Smith in a fan fiction story. While the original Mary Sue was intended as satire, the term evolved to encompass a broader range of similar characters across various genres.

Common Traits of Mary Sues and Gary Stus:

While there's no single definitive checklist, several common traits often characterize Mary Sues and Gary Stus:

• Unrealistic Perfection: They're often breathtakingly beautiful, exceptionally talented in multiple areas (often unrelated), and possess extraordinary skills or abilities with little to no explanation of how they acquired them. They might be master martial artists, gifted musicians, brilliant scientists, and charismatic leaders all rolled into one.

• Instant Admiration and Acceptance: Everyone loves them instantly, regardless of their actions or personality. They effortlessly gain the trust and respect of important characters, even antagonists, without earning it.

• Improbable Good Fortune: They're constantly lucky, avoiding any real danger or consequences for their actions. Things always seem to work out in their favor, no matter how improbable.

• Lack of Significant Flaws or Growth: Their imperfections are minimal and usually serve to make them more appealing rather than hindering their progress. They rarely undergo meaningful character development or learn from their mistakes.

• Self-Insert Qualities: They often reflect the author's own desires and fantasies, possessing similar interests, skills, or even physical attributes. This can make them feel detached from the story's world and less believable.

• Unrealistic Relationships: Their relationships often develop too quickly and lack depth. They easily attract the affection of powerful or desirable characters, often those already committed to someone else.

• Unnecessary Power and Influence: They often wield excessive power or influence disproportionate to their experience or position. They might effortlessly manipulate events or people to achieve their goals.

• Mary Sue as a Plot Device: The plot often revolves around the Mary Sue, with other characters serving primarily to support their triumphs or provide challenges easily overcome.

Nuances and Variations:

It's crucial to understand that not every character with exceptional abilities or positive qualities is automatically a Mary Sue or Gary Stu. Even so, the key difference lies in the way these qualities are presented and integrated into the narrative. On top of that, a truly well-developed character might have extraordinary skills, but these skills will have been earned through hard work, training, or natural talent developed over time. They'll face challenges that test their abilities and limitations, experience setbacks and consequences, and undergo genuine character growth.

What's more, the context of the story matters. A character who is depicted as exceptionally talented within a specific niche, like a top-tier athlete or a renowned scientist, is not necessarily a Mary Sue if their abilities are realistically portrayed and their struggles and limitations are acknowledged. The issue arises when these qualities are combined with the other traits mentioned above, creating a character who feels more like a wish-fulfillment fantasy than a believable individual.

How to Avoid Creating a Mary Sue or Gary Stu:

• Give Your Character Flaws: Every character, even the protagonist, should have significant flaws and weaknesses. These flaws should be integral to their personality and should create genuine challenges for them to overcome. These flaws should not be easily forgotten or overcome, they should lead to internal conflict or changes in their behaviour.

  For more on this topic, read our article on which type of stimulus would activate nociceptors of the skin or check out why must the s phase occur before mitosis.

• Develop Realistic Relationships: Relationships should develop organically and realistically, with challenges, misunderstandings, and conflicts. Avoid instant or unrealistic connections, particularly those that disregard established relationships or character dynamics within your narrative. Character relationships should contribute meaningfully to the plot and the character's development.

• Show, Don't Tell: Instead of stating that your character is beautiful or talented, show it through their actions, interactions, and the reactions of other characters. Let the reader draw their own conclusions about your character's qualities. Don’t describe their physical attributes, let the reader infer this through their actions and reactions.

• Make Your Character Vulnerable: Even the strongest characters should have moments of vulnerability, doubt, or fear. Show them facing real consequences for their actions, experiencing setbacks, and struggling to overcome obstacles.

• Give Your Character a Realistic Backstory: A well-developed backstory provides depth and complexity to your character, making them more believable and relatable. This backstory should help shape their motivations and explain their strengths and weaknesses. The backstory should include negative experiences that have had a considerable impact on the character’s psyche and shaped their personality.

• Focus on Character Development: Your character should undergo meaningful growth and change throughout the story, learning from their experiences and evolving as a person. Their development shouldn't be instantaneous but should be a slow and natural progression.

• Create Believable Challenges: Your character should face challenges that are appropriate for their abilities and circumstances. Avoid overly convenient solutions or improbable victories.

• Avoid Overpowering Abilities: If your character has exceptional skills, explain how they acquired them and establish realistic limits to their abilities. Don’t make them invincible.

• Consider External Perspectives: Read your work from the perspective of someone who doesn't know your character or your intentions. Does your character feel believable and relatable? Do their actions and relationships feel logical and well-motivated? Would another reader find your character irritating or unbelievable?

• Revise and Edit Ruthlessly: Don't be afraid to revise and edit your work to ensure your characters are realistic and well-developed. Ask for feedback from trusted beta readers to gain an outside perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Q: Is it okay to have a character who is talented or skilled? A: Absolutely! The problem arises when these talents are excessive, unrealistic, or unearned. A skilled character is believable if their abilities are developed through training, practice, or natural talent, and if they face challenges that test their limitations.

• Q: Can a Mary Sue or Gary Stu ever be redeemed? A: While difficult, it is possible. By significantly revising the character to incorporate flaws, realistic struggles, and meaningful character development, a previously problematic character might become more believable. This usually requires a complete rewrite of their arc and how they interact with other characters.

• Q: Are Mary Sues/Gary Stus always intentional? A: Not necessarily. Sometimes, authors unintentionally create a Mary Sue or Gary Stu due to a lack of awareness of the trope or insufficient character development.

• Q: Why are Mary Sues and Gary Stus so disliked? A: They often feel unrealistic, self-serving, and unrelatable. They can disrupt the narrative flow and overshadow other characters, making the story less engaging for the reader. They often lack depth, motivation, and any kind of internal conflict. Essentially, they are boring despite their seemingly perfect attributes.

Conclusion:

Mary Sues and Gary Stus are cautionary tales in character development. This imperfection is what makes them relatable and makes the story engaging for the audience. By understanding the common traits of these characters and applying the principles outlined above, writers can avoid creating these problematic tropes and instead craft compelling, relatable, and engaging characters that resonate with their readers. In real terms, the goal is not to create perfect characters but to create believable characters who are imperfect, flawed, and ultimately, human. While the names themselves might seem playful, the underlying issue is the creation of characters who lack depth, realism, and believability. By embracing the messiness of humanity, you will create characters that will leave a lasting impression on your readers.