The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is described as a supporting character brought into a story only to rejuvenate a fallen hero. The phrase was first used by Nathan Rabin a film critic to describe the role written to help the straight, white, male character loosen up and enjoy life. The job of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl is solely to support the uplifting of the males life. Most often, men are portrayed as great protectors, creators, and heroes.
This is all perpetuates the the myth that women are caregivers and enforces the myth of women being a muse for the tortured male. Falling under the theory of liberal feminism, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl displays unequal representation of women in media and popular culture. If women were the heroes, having a male supporting character would be the opposite of what is portrayed in mass media. The symbolic representation of women under this trope, is that as people they are only in existence to support, encourage, and fix males.
Most romantic comedies contain the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope. Her convenience makes a great story, but it takes away from women’s depth and complexity as individuals. It is consistent to the subservient yet romantic role women play throughout most of mass media. Books, movies, and television shows contain the idea that a woman’s purpose is to be a passive entity.
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