Friday, February 03, 2006

Is Romance Really for Guys?

What exactly is the princess of archetypal hero myths? She’s not a real love interest, since the reasons the hero loves her are never explored. She’s a symbol, possibly like today’s real-life trophy wife. An object of status to impress other men. Maybe that explains why the whole idea of women characters as “love interests” is such a turn-off to women. After all, it’s not much more satisfying to be wanted as a trophy than to not be wanted at all. This could also explain why more than one man has expressed sympathy for Sam (Of Stargate SG-1) that she can’t have her man: they’re extrapolating the hero’s quest onto her, and like a man, part of her prize package for heroic deeds should include the prince of her choice.

(thanks, Jenn)

4 comments so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

Well, I imagine the usual explanation given in this sort of story is that the hero likes the princess mostly because she is good-looking. Is that so different from the way attraction tends to happen for normal people?

Kameron Hurley said...

Is that so different from the way attraction tends to happen for normal people? 

Well, yes.

 

Posted by Kameron Hurley

Anonymous said...

Amen. That makes a lot of sense to me. It's the trophy aspect of the entire deal that always put me off. You'd look for more character development, and there never was much of it to be had. It's more than annoying, after awhile it's an impediment to the reality you're trying to create everywhere else. Cheers, 'VJ'

Anonymous said...

Is that so different from the way attraction tends to happen for normal people? 

I would hope it's not the normal reason people decide to live "happily ever after" together for the rest of their lives. Although, that would explain the divorce rate. ;) 

Posted by BetaCandy