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SeptimusHeap MOD (Edited uphill both ways)
Mar 22nd 2021 at 9:44:39 AM •••

Linking to a past Trope Repair Shop thread that dealt with this page: Split?, started by deuxhero on Feb 28th 2011 at 8:13:34 PM

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
TerraformTrent Since: Sep, 2014
May 13th 2016 at 3:12:07 PM •••

Why is the text on the page image different? Why not just use the text that was already there that **says the same thing**?

lledsmar Since: Oct, 2015
Oct 26th 2015 at 5:29:10 AM •••

Can interpretations be interpretations?

Sometimes I think we confuse what is true and what is interpretation

Danel Since: Jan, 2001
Feb 22nd 2014 at 9:27:07 AM •••

A borderline headscratcher - why does the standard formula for writing these on YMMV works pages seem to consist of asking if a character is one of two absurd extremes?

Is a Bob the noblest and most selfless character, or a manipulative, sociopathic jerkass? The fandom cannot agree. Just bringing it up will lead to arguments. Even raising the matter is banned in some forums. Small wars have been fought over the topic...

Hide / Show Replies
manhandled Since: Feb, 2012
Sep 6th 2014 at 5:40:28 PM •••

Hmmm, apparently it's quite the square-pegging.

I got my political views from reddit and that's bad
evildevilgirl02 Since: Feb, 2013
Jan 22nd 2014 at 11:40:57 AM •••

Should we maybe give Harry Potter its own page? It's gotten rather long.

Stoogebie Since: Apr, 2011
Oct 15th 2013 at 5:53:38 PM •••

I just had a breakthrough. The mathematical formula for any given character in fanfic can be applied as:

(f)x = z-canon/y

Or, "The function of X(character) is the difference between Z(portrayal in fanstory) and Canon over Y(fan)". It won't determine whether or not it's Character Derailment, as it doesn't factor in, say, (head)Canon evidence behind the interpretation, or cases of What If? or For Want Of A Nail.

Darkaros Since: Jul, 2009
Mar 18th 2011 at 6:28:33 PM •••

Would Alternate Character Interpretation be considered In-Universe (or something similar that isn't YMMV) if the work with the different interpretation is based upon something else? For example, a Fan Fic interpreting a normally Silent Protagonist as a Cloud Cuckoo Lander?

Edit: Same question applies to tropes like Ron the Death Eater and Character Exaggeration, etc that are fairly subjective about whether or not a canon work has changed established characterization; would a fanon work doing it on clearly on purpose be considered objective?

Edited by Darkaros Hide / Show Replies
Laudanum Since: Oct, 2012
Nov 29th 2012 at 11:16:06 PM •••

First off, nothing is ever objective. Everything is subjective by literal definition of reality. Good. Now that's sorted.

Alternate Character Interpretation would be in universe if the work was clearly doing it on purpose and acknowledging it as such. It isn't in-universe if a character is exaggerated on purpose (for humour, drama, etc.) and isn't acknowledged/lampshaded in some way in-text (say, the characters don't know that they are exaggerated versions of something else).

Now, here's the problem. For example, say some author uses character exaggeration in a very deliberate way to a humorous effect which would be known to any fans of the series, okay? It is very well-written and does this well. The knowledge that the character is exaggerated is metacontext. It is known only to someone outside the context of the universe. Does this make it "YMMV"? No. Does it make it in-universe? No. Does TV-tropes not have a category for this and needs to re-evaluate the dynamics of metacontext? Yes.

So what should you do if you come across an example like the scenario above? Shove the Alternate Character Interpretation in anyway and in-universe the red dot out, because that thing is annoying.

Unfortunately, a lot of people on this site now take anything in the YMMV column to mean "completely dismissible" so no-one wants to put their contribution there. Damn stupid idea considering most tropes are about opinion... [insert malicious grumbling here].

ading Since: Jan, 2011
Feb 27th 2013 at 4:44:34 AM •••

"First off, nothing is ever objective."

Is that objectively true? Then how does it make sense? Or is it just your opinion? Then isn't my disagreeing opinion equally valid?

I'm a Troper!!!
ading Yes. Since: Jan, 2011
Achaemenid Since: Dec, 2011
Jun 11th 2012 at 9:13:26 AM •••

Because not everyone interprets the character this way. Whether, say, Eragon from the Inheritance Cycle is a psychopath or a hero is entirely based on your own perspective on the series.

Schild und Schwert der Partei
Laudanum Since: Oct, 2012
Nov 29th 2012 at 11:19:34 PM •••

Rather say, there are outer limits to what would be called "common opinion", and an Alternate Character Interpretation is any opinion that lies outside that commonality based on the same evidence. Because really no one interprets a character the same way, whether in the broad strokes or the fine details. Hence why we have flame wars that go on for decades.

LentilSandEater Enter the void Since: Oct, 2011
Enter the void
Aug 8th 2012 at 7:40:18 AM •••

We're never going to be able to clear the natter on this page are we?

Do what the clock does, keep going.
brony99 Since: Sep, 2011
Nov 9th 2011 at 2:55:05 PM •••

some of the examples of this trope I just don't get, Complete Monster is another YMMV trope so I'll let that one slide. but where did some of the My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic fandom get "Tyrant Celestia" or "Genius Ditz Snails" from? when has Princess Celestia shown signs of true villainy or when has Snails been shown to be anything other than a The Ditz?

ArchdukeCthulhu Since: May, 2009
Sep 23rd 2011 at 6:53:52 AM •••

Shouldn't the real life folder be moved to the file other? there's a reallife folder in there.

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