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*Peers out from under his hat again*
As someone who plays an apparent male "Sue", I will agree that the periphery tends to lean toward accusation. Cap'n tells fantastical stories about himself being truly awesome and is witty enough to "prove" his point (which is that he's amazing). To the casual observer, this can give the impression that he's very much a "Sue". He's egotistical, distrusting, flamboyant, and generally unflappable, which I understand are some characteristics of the male-version.Â
As evidenced in his story in Town Square, he also plays mix and match with skillsets, using a sword, a stardust rod and a spell-based lightning bolt to stop Cancer (the fate monster, not the ailment) all by himself. We all know that's bullshit and maybe some folks look at the story and wrinkle their nose thinking "Oh joy, an overpowered super-guy." and that's a fair impression to make. I'm actually comfortable with that feeling IC. I hope for characters to roll their eyes and scoff.
At the end of the day though, it's an impression. Not a fact. In fiction, by its very nature, there are no facts. It's all conjecture and perspective. This is why I find the concept of these labels so frivolous. -I- know that Cap is full of crap and his stories have some loose truth to them, but have been hyped up with the direct intention of aggrandizing himself. Some characters know that Cap is full of crap too. The fun is in creatively designing these fantastical tales of his and roleplaying his adamant belief in them.
Not sure if I'm showing my age or not, but there's a wonderful film out there in cult classic land called "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" based on a series of "Tall Tales" that I suggest folks enjoy if they haven't already. Tall Tales, by definition in the modern age, were the original "Sue" stories and are a major point in the history of creative fiction. Pecos Bill, John Henry, Munchausen, etc. were all fantastical tales of extraordinary people doing something truly epic. They had no "flaws" to speak of, save for specific concepts like: Outlaw, Slave, Doddering Old Fool rebelling against conformity and hypocrisy.Â
So where's the difference? What's the point? The blunt, pragmatic answer to the OP's question is "Yes, by grammatical definition, the term "Mary Sue" is sexist because it's a derogatory term aimed at a gender based on societal dislike of characters depicted in a fictional environment." But, that's just my perspective.
Prejudice
[ltr]prejudice[/ltr]
[ltr]
noun
[/ltr]
*Slinks back under his hat*
As someone who plays an apparent male "Sue", I will agree that the periphery tends to lean toward accusation. Cap'n tells fantastical stories about himself being truly awesome and is witty enough to "prove" his point (which is that he's amazing). To the casual observer, this can give the impression that he's very much a "Sue". He's egotistical, distrusting, flamboyant, and generally unflappable, which I understand are some characteristics of the male-version.Â
As evidenced in his story in Town Square, he also plays mix and match with skillsets, using a sword, a stardust rod and a spell-based lightning bolt to stop Cancer (the fate monster, not the ailment) all by himself. We all know that's bullshit and maybe some folks look at the story and wrinkle their nose thinking "Oh joy, an overpowered super-guy." and that's a fair impression to make. I'm actually comfortable with that feeling IC. I hope for characters to roll their eyes and scoff.
At the end of the day though, it's an impression. Not a fact. In fiction, by its very nature, there are no facts. It's all conjecture and perspective. This is why I find the concept of these labels so frivolous. -I- know that Cap is full of crap and his stories have some loose truth to them, but have been hyped up with the direct intention of aggrandizing himself. Some characters know that Cap is full of crap too. The fun is in creatively designing these fantastical tales of his and roleplaying his adamant belief in them.
Not sure if I'm showing my age or not, but there's a wonderful film out there in cult classic land called "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" based on a series of "Tall Tales" that I suggest folks enjoy if they haven't already. Tall Tales, by definition in the modern age, were the original "Sue" stories and are a major point in the history of creative fiction. Pecos Bill, John Henry, Munchausen, etc. were all fantastical tales of extraordinary people doing something truly epic. They had no "flaws" to speak of, save for specific concepts like: Outlaw, Slave, Doddering Old Fool rebelling against conformity and hypocrisy.Â
So where's the difference? What's the point? The blunt, pragmatic answer to the OP's question is "Yes, by grammatical definition, the term "Mary Sue" is sexist because it's a derogatory term aimed at a gender based on societal dislike of characters depicted in a fictional environment." But, that's just my perspective.
Prejudice
[ltr]prejudice[/ltr]
[ltr]
noun
[/ltr]
- a judgment or opinion formed before the facts are known; preconceived idea, favorable or, more usually, unfavorable
- a judgment or opinion held in disregard of facts that contradict it; unreasonable bias: a prejudice against modern art
- the holding of such judgments or opinions
- a judgment or opinion held in disregard of facts that contradict it; unreasonable bias: a prejudice against modern art
- suspicion, intolerance, or irrational hatred of other races, creeds, regions, occupations, etc.
- injury or harm resulting as from some judgment or action of another or others
*Slinks back under his hat*
What a colossal waste of time and energy.