Continuing our discussion on Bad Girls and Bad Boys...
Most women love the bad boy. Admiring the bad boy from afar, being shocked by the bad boy's obvious advances, rejecting the bad boy because "good girls don't", giving into the bad boy because, we'll we are human after all, and then attempting reformation of the bad boy.
I, for some reason, in my personal life, have NEVER liked the bad boy. I like my guys to be reliable, trustworthy and nice to my friends. And in return, the bad boy has never liked me.
In fiction-land though...all bets are off :)
GILMORE GIRLS
Good-girl Rory Gilmore, torn between the steadfast boyfriend Dean and the troublemaker Jess. I honestly don't know WHAT Jess saw in Rory, especially since I found Rory to be a bit too whiny and low-selfesteem-y compared to her fabulous mother Lorelai. Now Lorelai and Jess? An awesome couple. I could totally see it in a taboo-no-freaking-way sort of plot twist.
TWILIGHT
Like the book or hate the book, Edward Cullen is one of the most amazing characters I've read in so long. How can I be so in love with a 17 year old vampire boy? And what the hell does he see in Bella? She seems so wallflowery...
GREASE
What does Danny see in Sandy?
I'm seeing a pattern here. Is it true? Can it be that the bad boy really does go for the good girl? Why is this?
And what is a good girl to do?
;)
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As a girl who tends to fall for the Bad Boy (in real life and in fiction) I think the draw is the belief or hope that "underneath that tough exterior is a sweet, vulnerable guy who needs me." That's why he goes for the Good Girl--only she can be trusted to see his softer side without destroying his soul and turning him into a pile of emotional mush. Okay, so maybe that is mostly (entirely) fantasy-land... but I know that's what I always convince myself. "Oh, he's just a jerk because secretly he's afraid to get hurt or that everyone will see how sensitive he really is." You know what? It has never once turned out to be true. But that doesn't keep me from holding out the same hope the next time.
Yeah...but Danny wasn't really a "bad boy." He only played one to his friends because that's how he was seen as "cool." Remember at the beginning of the movie, he and Sandy were normal teens and he didn't have to pretend to be the tough guy. Later, he even went through trying to get an athletic letter to impress her. So while the bad side was his public side, deep down, he was a good guy and sensitive to what Sandy wanted.
I think most "bad boys" really are -- deep down -- good guys. And that's why girls/heroines fall for them because they see past the "bad" to what's really underneath.
Marley = )
Oooo...I've got a bad boy for you: Jordan Catalano of My So-Called Life Mmmm...
Edward Cullen, yum.
Steph (former recoving bad boy lover who thankfully married a good boy)
I think Danny Zuco was a bad boy. Remember, he dated Rizzo and she was no innocent. What makes a bad boy bad? His clothes, his attitude, living life on the edge?? Edward Cullen is awesome, but I LOVED him in the beginning when he was rude and you didn't really know why. When he became so nicey-nice, I wasn't as hot for him. Not to say that I wouldn't go for him...
TLC: Hmm..that explains it I think...a girl secretly hopes that he will change just for *her.*
Marley: Hmm...now there's a concept I should think about. Good boy pretending to be a bad boy pretending to be a good boy.... :)
Steph: My sentiments exactly!
Haha, that's funny Simone...I was just thinking that at the beginning, I thought Edward was a jerk, but at the end, wow, I was totally in love with teenage vampire boy...
So amazing how different readers can read the same characters is so many ways right? I think that's the mark of a good character writer...writing a character who is SO real that people can actually debate about their good vs not-so-good sides...
BTW, I am SO excited for your Leaving Paradise...the concept sounds awesome :)
First of all, I totally second Jordan Catalano, Marley. I loved My So Called Life.
I've always liked the bad boys, I guess. Tera may be right that we're all hoping underneath there might be that side to the bad boy that is crying out for us.
But, that said, it doesn't mean he has the right to treat good girls like dirt. Even the good boys try to pull that kind of stuff sometimes.
As for Twilight, Edward Cullen had a reason for wanting to protect himself from the outside world. He also showed in his concern for Bella (however baffling) that he had a deeper emotional side that craved intimacy and connection. That's hot. :)
Maybe we're really talking about that old Alpha Male thing....
Wow - you are so right: a Lorelai/Jess plotline would be spectacular on the Gilmore Girls!
I think bad boys go for good girls because it's a challenge. And let me disclose, I'm totally prejudice being that I have this scenario in my own book. Ahem...but I digress.
If you think about it, bad boys are used to calling the shots. But with a good girl they're game is thrown off. The good girl, even if she really likes him, rarely just gives in to his every demand and whim.
As bad as the bad boy knows he is, he's intrigued, dare I say turned on, by this girl who dares to resist his charms.
I have never cared for bad boys - not in real life, not in fiction, not in film, not in TV. I know I'm the minority on this, and that's fine by me. I'd rather be friends with Parker from THE BERMUDEZ TRIANGLE or Nick from THE GREAT GATSBY any day.
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