Wiki says: “ exists solely in the fevered imaginations of sensitive writer-directors to teach broodingly soulful young men to embrace life and its infinite mysteries and adventures".
popular trope in movies and media is the “manic pixie dream girl.” The trope is usually used by men to describe a girl who is “different” and “not like other girls.” This girl tends to be defined as “quirky,” and she gives a greater life purpose to the male protagonist. The push of this archetype damages not only the image young girls develop of themselves but their idea of feminism too. Rooted in misogyny, the archetype is used to further men at the expense of women, their choices, and their needs. The dream girl takes on the role of making a man better. Whether through his actions, emotional maturity, or life aspirations, she serves as a tool to further his development but is still considered an expendable figure. Many times, this character ends up dying or in a situation in which they need saving, allowing the man to be the ‘hero’ of the story and still fit a masculine stereotype. Why should she be used as a tool rather than having her own form of agency?
The Manic Pixie Dream Girl is a type of damsel in distress that showed up at the beginning of the 21st century, for young men in distress who either aren’t fully capable of rescuing the damsel or the damsel herself isn’t willing to be rescued (and how frustrating is that?!). Either way, the MPDG has rightfully been criticized for not having her own inner life and existing merely to help the male protagonist discover his own life lessons. At best, she is quirky and fun. At worst, she is a cliché or sexist stereotype.
