What Is Damsel In Distress?

Damsel in distress is a phrase used to describe a trope in literature where a female character is portrayed as helpless and in need of rescue by a male character.

For centuries, the motive of a woman being rescued by her male savior was perceived as the highest form of romance and the dream of all females. Numerous popular books such as The Twilight, Mystery Man, and many others, feature this motive. However, it doesn’t sound so lovely anymore. Modern times and the revolution of thinking and perceiving gender roles are now challenging the whole damsel in distress concept calling it a tool for enforcing gender stereotypes.

Why Is Damsel In Distress Bad?

The “damsel in distress” trope is harmful because it reinforces outdated and harmful stereotypes about women. It portrays women as weak, helpless, and dependent on men for their safety and well-being. This portrayal diminishes the strength and agency of female characters and perpetuates the idea that women are incapable of taking care of themselves. By depicting women in this way, the trope contributes to the inequality and gender biases that exist in society. Or it’s what most members of feminist and LGBT movements think.

Most people believe that the damsel in distress is just one of many motives in books that should be perceived as part of art and therefore left alone.