Difference between revisions of "Mary Sue"
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| − | A term that arose out of 1970s ''Star Trek'' [[fanfic]], a '''Mary Sue''' is a generic name for the type of unrealistic | + | A term that arose out of 1970s ''[[Star Trek]]'' [[fanfic]], a '''Mary Sue''' is a generic name for the type of unrealistic [[fiction]]al stock character who is so competent or perfect that she’s absurd — excelling at tasks that should not be possible. |
| − | The name comes from a character created by [[Michigan]]/[[Canada|Canadian]] [[fan]] [[Paula Smith]] in her 1973 parody story “ | + | The name comes from a character created by [[Michigan]]/[[Canada|Canadian]] [[fan]] [[Paula Smith]] in her 1973 parody story “[https://www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/dark/1000/marysue.htm A Trekkie's Tale,]" published in her [[fanzine]] ''[[Menagerie]]'' #2. The story starred Lt. Mary Sue ("the youngest Lieutenant in the fleet — only fifteen and a half years old"). |
At first applied only to bad fanfic, the term came into common use in [[Media|media fandom]] and has since spread into [[sf]] and [[mundane]] literary criticism. | At first applied only to bad fanfic, the term came into common use in [[Media|media fandom]] and has since spread into [[sf]] and [[mundane]] literary criticism. | ||
| − | {{link | website=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/these-women-coined-term-mary-sue-180972182 | text=Smithsonian Magazine article}} | + | {{link | website=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/these-women-coined-term-mary-sue-180972182 | text=Smithsonian Magazine article.}} |
| − | {{fanspeak}} | + | [[File:MarySue.jpeg|thumb|center|upright=3.5]] |
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| + | {{fanspeak|start=1973}} | ||
[[Category:fiction]] | [[Category:fiction]] | ||
| + | [[Category:media]] | ||
Latest revision as of 07:19, 6 September 2023
A term that arose out of 1970s Star Trek fanfic, a Mary Sue is a generic name for the type of unrealistic fictional stock character who is so competent or perfect that she’s absurd — excelling at tasks that should not be possible.
The name comes from a character created by Michigan/Canadian fan Paula Smith in her 1973 parody story “A Trekkie's Tale," published in her fanzine Menagerie #2. The story starred Lt. Mary Sue ("the youngest Lieutenant in the fleet — only fifteen and a half years old").
At first applied only to bad fanfic, the term came into common use in media fandom and has since spread into sf and mundane literary criticism.
| Fanspeak | 1973— |
| This is a fanspeak page. Please extend it by adding information about when and by whom it was coined, whether it’s still in use, etc. |
