Trope

Literary usage

In literature, a trope is a familiar and repeated symbol, meme, style, character or thing that permeates a particular type of literature. They are usually tied heavily to genre. For example, tropes in horror literature and film include the mad scientist or a dark and stormy night. Tropes can also be plots or events, such as the science fiction trope of an alien invasion that is deterred at the last minute.

Related Topics:
Meme - Genre - Horror - Science fiction

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Authors that rely on tropes are often seen as unimaginative and dull. However, many authors have twisted tropes into new forms to great success. Stephen King has been noteworthy for taking older horror tropes and reworking them into the modern world to great effect.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

A wiki collecting tropes used in television is available at TV Tropes Wiki.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~