[HPforGrownups] Re: Mary Sue

[Kathryn Cawte]

No: HPFGUIDX 94692


>
> Not American--though the name would seem to be. In fanfiction (aka
fic--that is, stories
> written using the characters and stituations from a particular television
program or, say,
> young adult fantasy novel series) a "Mary Sue" is a character that stands
in for the author
> him/herself. Usually this is considered an unworthy literary technique,
even in the
> heterogenous world of fic. ;-)
>
> To get an idea of what fic is about, take a look at
http://www.fictionally.org/
>
> Antosha (American and spending too much time on the internet)
>
K

In addition some people consider *all* original characters to be Mary Sues
(or Gary Stus if male) whereas others only consider the really bad examples
to be MS - for example bad writer's of HP fic often introduce a beautiful,
talented young woman (often an American exchange student if the author is
American) who is brighter than Hermione, stunningly attractive and can
defeat Voldemort with a single spell, she may even have 'magical' blood
(elven etc). The female characters will immediately consider her their best
friend and the men will all love her. She will inevitably end up
dating/married too (adjust depending on her age) whoever the author likes
best (Harry, Ron, Remus, Sev, Sirius etc).

I can think of a couple of published authors who are guilt of Mary Sues
too - JKR fortunately isn't one of them (and how was that for an heroic
effort to make this OT post *on* topic) although I imagine some people would
consider Hermione to be approaching Mary Suehood, she has too many faults to
be a MS in my opinion, and just enough for her to be a 'real' character. The
real acid test for a Mary Sue is probably if she's so good it makes your
teeth hurt but despite that you still have the irresistible urge to cut her
heart out with a rusty spoon :)

K
"The Loudest Noise Comes From The Electric Minerva."