Useful Terminology
A small collection of terms I thought would be helpful in understanding the content of this blog. Will be updated periodically, as I see fit.
-Bechdel's Law: A concept created in an issue of Dykes to Watch Out For by Allison Bechdel, in which a main character states that she will not watch a movie unless
- There is more than one women in it, and;
- they talk to each other, and;
- about something other than a man. -monologuing: A term first coined in the Pixar movie The Incredibles referring to the concept of (usually) villainous characters who give long monologues, frequently in which they explain their dastardly plans to the hero who otherwise might be more easily killed, maimed, or shot. A common concept in almost any story involving Lex Luthor.
-retcon: Short for "retroactive continuity", is the deliberate changing of established facts in any form of serial fiction. The change itself is referred to as a "retcon", and the act of writing and publishing a retcon is called "retconning". A perfect non-comics example being when Darth Vader reveals to Luke Skywalker that he is, in fact, his father, despite the previously established fact that Darth Vader murdered Anakin Skywalker. Even with the explanaition of "points of view" given by Obi-Wan in Return of the Jedi, this still counts as retcon.
-Shoujo Heroine Syndrome (SHS): A concept common in many shoujo manga in which nearly every good-looking male character is in love with the main female character. Various women who have this condition: Miyaka from Fushigi Yuugi, Usagi from Sailor Moon, Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc.
-Bechdel's Law: A concept created in an issue of Dykes to Watch Out For by Allison Bechdel, in which a main character states that she will not watch a movie unless
- There is more than one women in it, and;
- they talk to each other, and;
- about something other than a man. -monologuing: A term first coined in the Pixar movie The Incredibles referring to the concept of (usually) villainous characters who give long monologues, frequently in which they explain their dastardly plans to the hero who otherwise might be more easily killed, maimed, or shot. A common concept in almost any story involving Lex Luthor.
-retcon: Short for "retroactive continuity", is the deliberate changing of established facts in any form of serial fiction. The change itself is referred to as a "retcon", and the act of writing and publishing a retcon is called "retconning". A perfect non-comics example being when Darth Vader reveals to Luke Skywalker that he is, in fact, his father, despite the previously established fact that Darth Vader murdered Anakin Skywalker. Even with the explanaition of "points of view" given by Obi-Wan in Return of the Jedi, this still counts as retcon.
-Shoujo Heroine Syndrome (SHS): A concept common in many shoujo manga in which nearly every good-looking male character is in love with the main female character. Various women who have this condition: Miyaka from Fushigi Yuugi, Usagi from Sailor Moon, Buffy Summers from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc.
Page created: June 29th 2006 12:03 AM
Page updated: June 29th 2006 09:15 AM