The Problem of Perfection
A Mary Sue is a character, typically female, who is unrealistically competent, universally beloved, and virtually flawless. She is often a newcomer to the story’s world but masters new skills with little to no effort, succeeds where more experienced characters fail, and is admired by almost everyone she meets. The term is a criticism, suggesting that the character is not a believable, three-dimensional person but rather a flat and idealized construct. The core problem with a Mary Sue is that she lacks meaningful conflict; because she is so perfect and capable, she never truly struggles, fails, or grows, which can make for a dramatically inert and unengaging story.
Origins in Fan Fiction
The term originated in the world of 1970s Star Trek fan fiction. It comes from the name of a character in a 1973 parody story, “A Trekkie’s Tale,” by Paula Smith. The story satirized a common trend in fan fiction where amateur writers would insert an idealized, thinly veiled version of themselves into the story. The character, Lieutenant Mary Sue, was a brilliant, beautiful, and accomplished Starfleet officer who instantly won the admiration of Captain Kirk and the entire crew. The name became a shorthand for this type of wish-fulfillment character, and it has since entered the broader vocabulary of literary and film criticism.
Mary Sue: Identifying Characteristics
While the definition can be subjective, characters labeled as Mary Sues often exhibit several of the following traits:
- Instant Expertise: They possess an implausible number of skills or powers and master new ones with little training.
- Universal Adoration: Most other characters are instantly impressed by, attracted to, or in awe of them. Any character who dislikes them is usually presented as evil or foolish.
- Lack of Meaningful Flaws: Their flaws are often trivial (e.g., clumsiness) or are presented as endearing quirks rather than genuine character defects that create conflict.
- A Special or Tragic Backstory: They often have an exotic or overly dramatic backstory that makes them unique.
- The Center of the Universe: The plot seems to bend to accommodate their importance, and established characters may act out of character to praise or assist them.
The “Gary Stu” Counterpart and Modern Debates
The male equivalent of a Mary Sue is known as a Gary Stu or Marty Stu. The characteristics are identical—an overly perfect male character who is unrealistically skilled and admired. Classic examples from literature might include many of the heroes of pulp adventure stories.
In modern film discourse, the term “Mary Sue” has become controversial. Some critics argue that it is often applied unfairly to competent female protagonists in a way that is not equally applied to male heroes (like James Bond, for example, who exhibits many similar traits). The debate now centers on the fine line between a genuinely empowering and capable hero and a poorly written, wish-fulfillment character, with accusations of sexism often coloring the discussion.