Awareness of Common Tropes in Young Adult Fiction to Avoid

Young adult fiction has a rich tapestry of stories that capture the essence of coming-of-age experiences. However, certain tropes are overused and can detract from the authenticity and quality of these stories. It is important for writers and editors to be aware of these common tropes and consider how to present them responsibly or even avoid them entirely.

Overused Hasty Heroes without Context

One common issue in young adult fiction is the portrayal of very young heroes or heroines who seemingly do and know everything better. This trope often lacks the emphasis on the wisdom needed to find sustainable solutions. In real life, solutions require decades of life experience and understanding. These characters are often introduced without any context of their backgrounds or life experiences that might make their actions and decisions credible.

Romantic Violence and Oppression

The intertwining of romance with violence or oppression, especially towards female characters, is another trope that should be avoided. This can be seen in works such as the Twilight series, which is based on a relationship where one character frequently uses emotional or even physical abuse. These abusive relationships are often portrayed without adequate communication or consent, and the power dynamics remain imbalanced.

Often, these relationships start with unnecessary cruelty, where the male character displays unnecessary and cruel behavior towards the female character. This can lead to misguided expectations about relationships and romantic interactions. Moreover, these stories sometimes skip the necessary redemption arc, where the male character acknowledges his past mistakes and tries to rectify them. Instead, the focus is often on the male character's confession of feelings and the subsequent romantic involvement, without addressing the past injustices.

Self-Sacrifice

Another prevalent trope is the portrayal of characters, especially the best ones, sacrificing themselves for others. This can often occur without a clear necessity, seemingly as a default expectation for protagonists. Such sacrifices are often dramatized and romanticized, without addressing the real-life consequences of such actions. This can lead to unrealistic expectations and a misrepresentation of character growth and moral values.

Endangerment of Physical Health and Irrational Healing

The use of physical endurance and irrational healing in young adult fiction, particularly in fantasy settings, is common. While magic or supernatural powers can provide a narrative with an element of adventure, this trope can also lead to misguided health expectations. Stories often depict characters recovering from serious injuries in a matter of days or without significant long-term repercussions. For example, in works like "A Throne of Glass," the protagonist regains use of her right hand through injury, which is framed as a miracle rather than a plausible recovery scenario.

Realistically, such injuries would have long-term consequences and significant risks of damage. This trope can give readers an unrealistic understanding of injuries and their effects, which can be dangerous in real life.

Conclusion

While these tropes can provide a narrative structure and emotional depth to stories, they can also lead to unrealistic and harmful representations. Readers, especially young adult readers, can be misinformed and led to accept these as normative behaviors. Therefore, it is important for writers to be mindful of these tropes and seek to present them responsibly or avoid them altogether. By doing so, they can ensure that the stories they create are not only entertaining but also reflective of real-life complexities and moral virtues.