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just a quick question on english [solved]

I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell UpI'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up Registered User regular
edited February 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
there was a name used for characters who are built poorly and designed exactly as the story needs them rather than having their own personality but i can't remember the name for them. help please?

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Posts

  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Do you mean a foil?

    Edit: Or possibly an example of Deus ex machina?

    Djeet on
  • supertallsupertall Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    stock characters?

    supertall on
  • Hahnsoo1Hahnsoo1 Make Ready. We Hunt.Registered User, Moderator, Administrator admin
    edited February 2009
    Perhaps an example may be in order?

    The terms that I'd use are "flat character", "static character", or "stock character", depending on the context. There are also film terms (cameo, extras) and some literary themes (allegorical characters, personifications, stereotypes, etc.). Is there a particular single word that you are looking for?
    Djeet wrote: »
    Do you mean a foil?
    Foils are characters who serve as a contrast to a main character (protagonist, antagonist, etc.) by highlighting one or more traits of the main character (often by being either superior, inferior, or opposite of the main character in those traits). The classic example is Sancho Panza, who is the voice of common sense to Don Quixote's madness. Foils aren't necessarily flat or static characters, either, and they often have their own personalities.

    If you are talking about expendable characters, you can use "redshirt" (Star Trek idiom), "mook", "goon", or "cannon fodder", I suppose.

    Again, an example of what you are looking for may be helpful.

    Hahnsoo1 on
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  • TavTav Irish Minister for DefenceRegistered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Plot devices?

    Tav on
  • Bendery It Like BeckhamBendery It Like Beckham Hopeless Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Dick and Jane?

    Bendery It Like Beckham on
  • I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell UpI'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    i thought it was molly-something but I'm not sure.

    I don't think it's one of those well known terms because I've only heard a few people use it, which is why i couldn't find it on google

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  • TexiKenTexiKen Dammit! That fish really got me!Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Mary-Sue characters?

    They're basically the writer putting his or herself into the story to save the day.

    TexiKen on
  • I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell UpI'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    TexiKen wrote: »
    Mary-Sue characters?

    They're basically the writer putting his or herself into the story to save the day.
    YES

    thank you

    I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up on
  • Hahnsoo1Hahnsoo1 Make Ready. We Hunt.Registered User, Moderator, Administrator admin
    edited February 2009
    Heh. It has a Rather Lengthy Wikipedia entry about it, too...

    Hahnsoo1 on
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  • I'd Fuck Chuck Lidell UpI'd Fuck Chuck Lidell Up Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    for anyone who was wondering the context of this by the way we were discussing why i hate ginny weasley

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