If you’re a reader, you’ve probably encountered a Mary Sue (or her male equivalent Gary or Marty Stu). If you’re a writer, the term strikes fear into your heart if you hear one of your characters compared to them. But who, exactly, is this person and why all the hatred?
Let’s see what Wikipedia has to say about her: A Mary Sue is a character archetype in fiction, usually a young woman, who is often portrayed as inexplicably competent across all domains, gifted with unique talents or powers, liked or respected by most other characters, unrealistically free of weaknesses, extremely attractive, innately virtuous, and generally lacking meaningful character flaws. The term was actually coined by Paula Smith in her 1973 parody “A Trekkie’s Tale.” Lieutenant Mary Sue (youngest in the fleet) was the perfect crew member, soon beloved of the whole ship, talented in every area, and doomed to die a heroic death, which was (of course) mourned by everyone.
Mary Sue is usually a self-insertion for the author, who is often an adolescent (or otherwise immature) female. The character:
- Has no real personality because she is “just too good to be true.” Mary Sue has no flaws at all—or she:
- May have an obvious “flaw” like supposed shyness, but in fact everyone is drawn to her.
- Has special powers or talents with little or no training.
- Is loved and admired by everyone, including her enemies.
- Is insanely beautiful, even if she has a “flaw” like “her lower lip was too full for true beauty” or “her neck was too swanlike.” She has a perfect body without working for it and if she does have a scar or other distinguishing mark, it only serves to show her specialness.
- Has the highest IQ possible.
- Gives the best advice possible.
- Is implicitly trusted by everyone, even if she trusts the possible villain (who, of course, turns out to be redeemed in the end).
- Loves everyone—especially all animals—without exception, even if she is “shy.”
- Never makes a mistake. She is always polite, never swears, never loses her temper, etc.
- Is inevitably courageous, never even thinking of her own safety.
- Succeeds at everything she turns her hand to, even if she has never tried it before.
- Is utterly incorruptible.
So why write a Mary Sue if they are so despised? Most Mary Sue creators, as mentioned above, are adolescent or otherwise immature, so they don’t realize they are writing a Mary Sue. Other authors just want to put out a fast book, either quantity before quality or just to see their name on a cover. They’re willing to take a “short cut” in order to get something on a bookstore shelf. Mary Sue is easy to write, as she requires no imagination or real thought. She is a cardboard character cut-out an author can just stick onto the set in place of a more well-rounded character that takes thought and hard work.
Stay tuned for the next post: How NOT to Write a Mary-Sue! Have you ever spotted a wild Mary Sue when you were reading?