The Troublesome Trope of Character Death: Understanding Fridging

🔑Fridging refers to killing or brutalizing a character solely to elicit emotional reactions from other, more important characters.

🌟Fridging dismisses the fridged character's narrative potential and undermines the emotional impact of their death.

💔Well-handled character deaths have purpose, agency, and resolution, making them feel satisfying and impactful.

🚫Fridging is generally disliked due to its unfair and dismissive treatment of characters and their potential.

🎯Authors should strive for meaningful character deaths that enhance the narrative and respect the characters' arcs.

What is fridging?

—Fridging refers to killing or brutalizing a character solely to elicit emotional reactions from other, more important characters. It dismisses the fridged character's narrative potential.

Why is fridging disliked?

—Fridging is disliked because it treats characters as mere props and undermines the emotional impact of their deaths. It dismisses their arcs and potential in favor of other characters' emotional arcs.

What makes a character death meaningful?

—Meaningful character deaths have purpose, agency, and resolution. They satisfy the audience and contribute to the narrative, respecting the characters' arcs and potential.

Are all character deaths considered fridging?

—No, not all character deaths are fridging. Heroic sacrifices and well-handled deaths that enhance the narrative and respect the characters are appreciated by the audience.

What should authors consider when handling character deaths?

—Authors should strive for meaningful character deaths that enhance the narrative and respect the characters' arcs. They should avoid using deaths solely for shock value or to upset other characters.

00:00Introduction to the concept of fridging and its negative implications

04:31Defining fridging and distinguishing it from other character deaths

08:48Analysis of example character deaths in popular franchises

12:32Discussion on the lack of agency and resolution in fridged character deaths

13:48Exploration of the dislike towards fridging and the importance of meaningful character deaths