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 fictional stock character who is so competent or perfect that she’s absurd — excelling at tasks that should not be possible. | 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 [[Canada|Canadian]] [[fan]] [[Paula Smith]] in her 1973 parody story “{{link | capture=20100830041159 | website=http:/www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/dark/1000/marysue.htm | text=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"). | + | The name comes from a character created by [[Michigan]]/[[Canada|Canadian]] [[fan]] [[Paula Smith]] in her 1973 parody story “{{link | capture=20100830041159 | website=http:/www.fortunecity.com/rivendell/dark/1000/marysue.htm | text=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. | ||
Revision as of 15:34, 24 July 2020
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 “[http:/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 fandom and has since spread into sf and mundane literary criticism.
| Fanspeak |
| 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. |
