Mary Sue

English

Etymology

From the name of an intentionally over-the-top character in the 1973 Star Trek parody fan fiction A Trekkie's Tale by Paula Smith.

Noun

Mary Sue (plural Mary Sues)

1. (fandom slang, usually derogatory) A fictional character, usually female, whose implausible talents and likeability weaken the story.

   Synonym: Sue

   • 2010 August 3, Ta-Nehisi Coates, “A Whole New World”, in The Atlantic‎^[1]:

     Bella may be a Mary Sue, but if we don't identify with her, and even if we do, there's no other interpretive place for us in the universe.

   • 2015 January 20, Sian Cain, “Why a non-white Nancy Drew could be amazing”, in The Guardian‎^[2]:

     She was a mashup of ideals that made her feel very fake; a Mary Sue who was popular, pretty, athletic, artistic, all the while loved by everyone who met her.

   • 2015 December 19, Tasha Robinson, “With Star Wars' Rey, we've reached Peak Strong Female Character”, in The Verge‎^[3]:

     So here's a radical suggestion: instead of being concerned about whether her Mary Sue flawlessness is a problem, why not, just this once, enjoy it for what it is?

   • 2022 August 18, Dan Shive, El Goonish Shive - EGS:NP (webcomic), Comic for Thursday, Aug 18, 2022:

     There is one, and only one, previously unheard of flaw that keeps Nanase from being the merriest of Mary Sues. That flaw is...

Usage notes

• Used especially with reference to fan fiction.

Hyponyms

• Gary Stu, Marty Stu (both male)

Derived terms

• Mary Sueish
• Sueish
• Suethor

See also

• self-insert