In Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, the botanical island appears at a crucial turning point in Pi Patel’s journey, when he is on the brink of death, physically and spiritually exhausted. At first glance, the island seems like a miracle: lush, vibrant, and sustaining. But upon deeper inspection, it reveals itself as something far more […]
The ‘Nice Guy’ Trope: Underdog or Villain?
Nice Guy: not to be confused with a nice guy (that is, a male that is nice)-When used as a noun instead of an adjective, Nice Guy refers to people (men or women) who believe basic social expectations are currency for sex. Urban Dictionary The “Nice Guy” trope or the “I’m not like the guys” […]
Sick of Sexist Tropes in Media? It’s Time to Do Better
Aren’t you tired of seeing the same tired, damaging tropes play out again and again? As progressive writers, it’s long past time we dismantle the sexist norms women have been—and still are—held to. The stories we consume shape our thoughts, attitudes, and lives, often more than we realize. Tropes and clichés often get dismissed as […]
Greta Gerwig’s Little Women: Feminism in Frame
This post includes spoilers from the Little Women book and movie Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 classic Little Women brings soul, heart, ambition, talent, and beauty to the screen. With a powerhouse cast including Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, and Meryl Streep, the film takes […]
The Manic Pixie Dream Girl and Boy Trope
Why Quirky Tropes and Idealized Love Interests Are More Harmful Than Whimsical You may or may not have heard the term Manic Pixie Dream Girl (MPDG), but chances are, you’ve encountered one in books, movies, or TV shows. She’s the enigmatic, quirky, free-spirited girl who dances into the life of a gloomy male protagonist and […]
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue By V.E. Schwab
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue – Book Review may contain some spoilers. The Invisible Plot of Addie LaRue In 1714, France, Estelle warns Addie LaRue not to pray to the Old Gods at night. But when desperation drives her into the darkness, Addie makes a deal with the Devil himself: she is granted immortality, […]