Ahhh, tropes. They really are everywhere--I mean that's why they are considered tropes, right? The basic definition is just a recurrent theme or motif (well, I know there's another definition--that of shifting the meaning of words or using literary devices to add layers to stories, however that's less fun, so I'm going with this aspect of tropes). Despite this, they are often viewed as poor writing and lumped with cliches. No, I'm not suggesting using them, but I do think that sometimes tropes have their place. They are archetypal storylines and ideas that most everyone knows and it resonates for a reason: often they are powerful and make people identify with the story and characters. I think of the Hero's Journey as a classic one that if often used in fantasy/sci-fi. We've all seen it so many times, and yet, it's still used because it works.
Other tropes that tend to crop up in fantasy and science fiction are the classic good versus evil battle. I mean, isn't that the basis of about every novel you've read lately? :) Okay, maybe not every, but it's certainly pretty prevalent. I keep thinking of Harry Potter and it's abundance of use of these ideas: the Hero, the good versus supreme evil, the quest to find the missing object that will defeat the evildoer, and many times the Medievalism that's used in some shape or form (helllo Hogwarts). This forms the foundation for so many worlds in the fantasy realm that I'm sure we can all think of plenty of examples.
There are other tropes, too, of course. The HEA ending in Romance could be considered one. The feisty heroine who wins the day and the man in chic-lit. There are so many. And yeah, while I definitely like the new and refreshing ideas that I come across, these tried and true tropes have their place. It's all about the execution, right? The ability to put a fresh spin or face on these ideas, to make them interesting and fun. And of course some great characters to bring them to life. This is definitely what I think about every time I see one of the Star Wars films :)
What about you? What are your thoughts on tropes?
People do like familiarity--but they really like originality within a familiar context, if that makes sense. Pulling in an overdone theme but making it really fresh, for instance. I don't know if anyone knows exactly how to do that...it just comes natural to some people.
ReplyDeleteIt's getting harder and harder to come up with a new idea/trope or at least writing a story where the trope isn't so obvious.
ReplyDeleteOne of the other blogs I follow seems to do an endless amount of book promotion, so it gets a bit tedious seeing the inevitable bad boys on multiple covers with tattoos.
ReplyDeleteThere are truly so few original story lines, and I think it's all about telling a story in the only you can. So if it's based on a well-known trope or something a little more unique, it's all about the execution.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the same story lines are used, with some changes to them to make the unique and different from each other. Good vs. evil is definitely out there a lot- but I think some of the themes pop up in a lot of books because they are also around us in every day life.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to be original in story telling. In having your own voice. I read a variety of books but the copycats bore me.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many tropes! When I sat down to compose my post I was simply overwhelmed trying to consider which to even mention. I think it is hard NOT to at least touch on one in a story. But the approach or the viewpoint can change the way the reader sees an age old story line.
ReplyDeleteTropes are everywhere! Even if a writer tries to avoid them, they're there. You just have to be able to put your own voice to them.
ReplyDeleteI don't like tattoos so when a book is touted as a tattooed hero, I look the other way!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it's all about the execution. Although there is something wonderful about coming across something original, there's also a pleasure in appreciating how someone successfully executed a familiar trope.
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