Too stupid?
Retro Bitches
Originally published on December 27, 2005
Hullo, dear readers. *g* Trollop is extremely busy taking care of her scholarship thingies. I, on the other hand, have more free time, so I was checking out our archives to fix some possible missing pics (yes I do that, obsessive bitch that I am; plus I don’t know what’s up with Blogger but this atrocity happens to some of our old posts, grr!). That’s when I came upon this article and remembered how much I loved it at the time. However, I don’t think I can say as much right now since the reason I decided to republish it (beside the fact I’m sure many of our new readers haven’t seen it) is to “honor” something really stupid I’ve done the other day (*groan* don’t ask).
When Trollop mentioned we should write about stupid heroines, I thought, “Hey, that’ll be easy.” But as I started going through many of the heroines I deemed too stupid to live, and therefore should be whacked in the head occasionally (as in every 2 or 3 paragraphs!), I suddenly found myself in a bind. How could I categorize them properly? I mean, what exactly is “too stupid”?There are some heroines that might be called “corky,” “quirky,” or even that, at times, act a bit silly like Doris Day. She always seems to find herself in bizarre situations and does the most ridiculous things; but no one can ever say that she’s brainless.
What about Scarlett O’Hara, one of my all-time favorite heroines. We all know how much she bitched and yearned for that ding-dong Ashley when all the time she could have had the very yummy Rhett Butler, not only better than born-without-a-spine Blondie, but also the only man who could truly make her happy. Would you say that because of this she’s stupid too?And then there are many heroines that make huge mistakes, ones that are so dumb I find myself wanting to dive into the book to bitch-slap them; but eventually they redeem themselves by learning from their falls and picking themselves up, and this I respect. I mean, isn’t character development one of the pillars of a well-written novel? These dimwitted heroines become a better person in the end. But, are they still not considered worthy of “happily ever after” because they’ve done some really idiotic things?
The thing is (as much as I hate to say this), love makes us do stupid things. We become impulsive, reckless, wild, irresponsible, crazy, totally uncaring without thinking of the consequences of our actions. I dare those who say they’ve been in love to declare they didn’t do anything foolish for it. God knows I have.
But then again, should love be an excuse to act like a total brainless twat? Hmm...
P.S. Check back later for our list of stupid heroines. Now those women I have no trouble categorizing: dumb fucktarts who should be shot down at sight. These are the broads that give romance novels a bad name. Die, you stupid bitches, die!!!
Labels: bibliophile’s affair, romance baby
That was very well said. Love does make dumb. Sometimes blind too.
12/28/2005 08:32:00 AM
Or it's not really love. But LOVE does make a convinient excuse for acting like a stupid brainless twat. It sounds more dignified...but really, take out love, this same people make same stupid acts. So is it really love?
12/28/2005 03:30:00 PM
Oh, I haven't read this one!
Harlot, good points you've made there! I think sometimes it's hard not to be stupid for love. I know... such a shame, but I mean, it's part of all that shitty thing called falling in love. Right?
8/15/2006 11:21:00 AM
I think I've done the most stupid thing "for love" when I was 18 and fancied myself irrevocably in love. I actually left home to "run away" with my lover, because my parents didn't approve of my guy. Turned out all the things they'd warn me about him were right!!!! Thank God my parents accepted me back. :( Boy, was that stupid.
8/15/2006 12:51:00 PM
I'm with Hotmama and GWB, Mer was a sad, sad heroine. Talk about wanting to bitch slap someone. I was practically pulling my hair out. But Matt *sigh*, I love him!
Now that I think about it, JM's Perfect had an annoying heroine too. She was talked into beleiving everyone else but hero (who is sexy, hot, truthfull, freaking lovely like Matt). I loved that book too but I skimmed a major part of it. Still can't believe he forgave her.
SEP does write great heroines. I loved Annable in MMIYC. She knew what she wanted and didn't settle for anything less (Trollop don't razz Heath about the foreplay, I love him!)
Love Retro Bitches. Maybe we could talk about Naked Brian again?
8/15/2006 02:51:00 PM
Not every stupidity that came from "being in love" is to impress your partner. Sometimes you do it because, as much as this would sound stupid, that's what would make you happier.
You always get hurt when you fall. You do stupid things too. That's why it's called falling in love. So why do people still do it? Because it's fun and exciting, and nothing in this world is better than it.
8/15/2006 03:07:00 PM
Trollop, sticky phones? I'm afraid to ask.
I'm with Trollop and Aggie, I do something stupid each day, more so when it comes to love. I think one of the reasons for this is when you love someone, you give part of yourself to your partner. Gives him some power over you now, doesn't it? Not excuseable, but like bungee jumping, stupid thing to do, but people still do it because the freaking high it gives is worth it.
8/15/2006 06:28:00 PM
Harlot, I never likes Scarlett. I thought she was too stubborn and too selfish. I wanted her to end up with Ashley and leave Rhett to me!!!!
Good post. :)
8/15/2006 09:19:00 PM
I saw The Aviator (Leo DiCaprio) the other day and this reminded me of Katharine Hepburn falling in love with Spencer Tracy. He's a married man but that didn't stop her to be with him. And she left Howard Hughes (single and a billionaire to boot) to have an affair with Tracy. Do you think she's stupid? I don't know. Maybe. She was happy though.
8/15/2006 10:07:00 PM
Lollie, gasp! You didn't like GWTW? I love that book!
I agree with Forrest and Trollop, "Stupid is stupid does." :P
8/15/2006 10:12:00 PM
Casey,
Trollop's a perv!!!! She's corrupting me really. *sniff*
Lollie,
I can't believe you don't like Scarlett. I lub her. ;-P Yeah, she's stubborn, she's selfish, but she's incomparable. Never read a heroine like her. She's a very strong woman who knows what she wants and will never give up until she gets it. Loved GWTW!
As for PARADISE. I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. As much as i love TBH and SOMETHING WONDERFUL. Yep. Now, Meredith, always hated her. Why?
- She has her own Bloomingdales
- She has an ex who looks like Hubbell Gardner (seriously!)
- She has Matt Farrell for a husband!
Just for that third reason, i'll LOATHE her and her horrible fashion sense FOR-E-VER. Matt Farrell is MINE!!!
8/15/2006 11:38:00 PM
Well said, Harlot. I too loved GWTW. It's one of my all time favorite books. Scarlett's a very stubborn woman, and I think she's very smart. :) However, as much as I love her, she's been stupid for Ashley, because she thought she loves him. But did she do some stupid things for it? That I don't think so. On the contrary, she's been very cunning.
8/16/2006 11:11:00 AM
Post a comment
Home