Why Do Writer Keep Falling Into This Trap?

@HGohwell HgOhwell
Sun, 15 Nov 2020 05:08:58 +0000

@HGohwell wrote:

So, if you've ever watched or read an anime or manga you're probably very familiar with this episode but it comes up in other media a lot too. And I'm curious as to why and if anyone here has ever attempted it.

The Abuser Made You Stronger Episode.

If you're unfamiliar, it's pretty much what it sounds like. The character has a tragic backstory involving some kind of abuse. They will be struggling with it and the narrative via another character will frame it as "you're stronger/kinder/more compassionate/whatever because of it". In Symphogear fandom, we call this The Failed Tomato Metaphor after an infamous episode where "tomatoes that grow in the toughest conditions are the sweetest" concept. What the authors are usually going for is a positive message about how abuse doesn't have to define you and weigh you down and you don't have to angst over it constantly because you made it through and you are not like them. However, this often gets lost in the execution and handling and actually comes out as abuse is good because it made you the way you are. Some particularly bad times even ends on a "they abused you to make you stronger" and "thanks abuser" type message (I'm aware feelings towards abusers can be complicated as can motives for abuse especially in more removed from our own but that's still not a great message to convey without some sort of balance).

So why do so many episodes with a good message at heart turn out this way? Why do so many creators fall into this pit fall? I don't believe it's just too difficult a subject to cover, that feels like an excuse, but then why do so many experienced writers struggle with this? Any thoughts?