The manic pixie dream girl (MPDG) is an iconic character stereotype that has been discussed within the media a lot over the past two decades, evolving into an internet phenomenon referenced to within niche meme cultures. But what fuelled this renewed interest upon these characters? From their origins in the early 2000s, when the term “manic pixie dream girl” (Rabin,2007) was coined, people and academics have had much to say about the character’s expressions of femininity. Both celebrated for their kooky and nuanced traits meaning they can connect with an audience of alternative women and critiqued for their reductive expressions of individuality under the male gaze. Remaining to be a character type many women aspire to, and men aspire to be with, is still rare to this day, and one of the most interesting factors inspiring this study. But what do these women look like? How do they act to empower their audience? As will be explored further, they are an accumulation of each word within this archetype: manic, pixie, dream, girl. Think of your typical alternative woman: dyed hair, unusual sense of dress, abstract attitude, and a carefree outlook on life.
This study will explore both the positive and negative viewpoints of the stereotype in order to determine their impact on modern female viewers, as they are both aspirational models for young women and agents of desire. Both of these factors working together to create an iconic archetype. The resurgence of popularity of the manic pixie dream girl stereotype across movie genres, means this study has become more relevant in recent contexts, and shows how they are still being romanticised, particularly by young people on social media today. Meme cultures and cinephile communities having reimagined the meaning of the trope, making the manic pixie dream girl a relevant post-feminist icon. Therefore, it is increasingly important to name why people are culturally drawn to these women, and address whether young people in particular keep returning to this stereotype because they remain empowering.
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