My Top 5 Favorite Tropes | Guest Post

Hiya wonderful people! I, Rebekkah Waner, am taking over Allyson’s lovely blog for the day (don’t fear, she took over mine a few days ago 😉) just to ramble about my favorite tropes. 

What is a trope, you ask? A trope is like a cliché, but with class. It’s a commonly used storytelling device, such as an evil stepmother, and is often figurative. A cliché is an overused trope that never has a twist, and plays out the same way every time. Tropes, on the other hand, are set up in about the same way, but can be played out differently. I hope that made some sort of sense. If not Google it, please. For my sanity.

Now, onto the tropes! 

*Warning*: fangirling, character name-dropping, squealing, and general nerd-ness highly likely, with a slight chance of a growing TBR and to-watch list. You have been warned.

The Tropes

#1 Silent Characters 

This trope is rather understated and underdone. Mysterious and sometimes comical, silent characters say a lot by saying nothing at all. Two of my favorite silent characters are Ferb from the TV show Phineas and Ferb, and M from Winnie the Horse Gentler series by Dandi Mackall. They both end up speaking eventually – but they don’t say much, and because of that, we listen closer. We need more of them. (Side note: Perry the Platypus and Peter the Panda from Phineas and Ferb are excellent examples of silent characters).

#2 Redeemed Villains

Whether it be Megamind, Ghost (if you know, you know, I don’t want to spoil anything), or Nebula (Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2), I’m a sucker for redeemed villains. I desperately want the Draco Malfoys, Kylo Rens, and Lokis to see the light and turn hero. 

Such stories echo our own redemption: villains, enemies of God, who once delighted in evil are made His children through Christ’s blood. We need to be reminded that we were all once lost and wicked, but have been redeemed, and that no one is too far gone to be saved.

#3 Huge Families 

I come from a small family of four, so there’s something about huge families that is fascinating to me. Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, and The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser are some of my favorite books because they center around giant families with a million kids (and because they’re really funny too). I love stories with strong family themes, and having a giant cast to keep up with, along with all the chaos and mayhem that usually ensues. 🥰

#4 Blithe Spirits

I didn’t know the name for this trope…until two days ago. Blithe spirits are characters who are out of their element, yet in their adventures, impact everyone they meet, and usually change a rigid society – all by just being themselves. Wall-E, Rapunzel (from Tangled), Anne Shirley (from Anne of Green Gables), and Luna Lovegood (Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling) are all blithe spirits. There’s just something soft and profound about this trope.

#5 Comic Relief Characters (especially Guys)

From Cody (Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson) to the Weasley Twins (The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling), there’s a very good chance that I’ll get a fictional crush on the comic relief character. Please don’t judge me. 

Yes, there are cringy, borderline moronic, comic relief characters, but there are also some really good ones with depth, character, and struggles. Don’t let the badly-written ones overshadow the good ones. Comic relief characters bring light to otherwise really heavy stories and laughter in the midst of darkness. We need them. 

Honorable Mentions:

These are other tropes that I love, but that didn’t make my top 5. However, they’re worthy of a shout-out:

• Mentors 

From Gandalf (Lord of the Rings) to Gramma Tala (Moana), we all need a good mentor. However, mentors aren’t always old (that, you see, is a cliché).

• Enemies to Lovers

There’s just something ship-able about two people who hate each other. (Beatrice and Benedict, anyone?)

• Found Family 

Family isn’t just flesh and blood – and these stories – like Guardians of The Galaxy – testify to that. It kinda echoes the Church, if you think about it.

• Protective Big Bro

From Tadashi (Big Hero 6) to Sitka (Brother Bear), protective big brothers are the best. I want more of them. 

• Father/Daughter Relationships 

Whether it’s Eep and Grug from the Croods, or Wolverine and Rogue from the Xmen movies, father-daughter relationships are so sweet. Totally not a daddy’s girl.

• Snark – or Sarcasm – Kings (especially if they’re an antihero or villain) They’re like the comic relief’s cool big brother.

• Magical Libraries

Need I say more?

Conclusion

Silent characters, comic relief characters, huge families, redeemed villains, and blithe spirits are my top 5 favorite tropes. What are yours? What are your favorite things to see in movies and books? I would love to hear all the things in the comments section. 

Also, be sure to check out the guest post Allyson wrote for me last Friday! 

God’s blessings, 

Rebekkah W. 

Rebekkah Waner is a Jesus freak, college student, Hufflepuff, infp, and writer of sorts. She loves jamming out to music, falling into books for hours, scribbling stories into notebooks, and soaking up sunshine. She blogs at Blue Pail Blogs about random awesomeness for Christian living, and spends too much time procrastinating by playing on Pintrest.

Your turn!

What are your favorite tropes? Did your TBR just gain a book or two? Be sure to check out Rebekkah’s blog as well! (Psst! I have a guest post over there!)

Blessings, Allyson

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