The damsel in distress is a narrative device in which one or more men must rescue a woman who has been kidnapped or placed in other peril. The "damsel" is often portrayed as beautiful, popular and of high social status; they are usually depicted as princesses in works with fantasy or fairy tale settings. Kinship, love, lust or a combination of those motivate the male protagonist to initiate the narrative.[1]
Critics have linked the helplessness of these women to societal views that women as a group need to be taken care of by men and treated nicely.[1] Throughout the history of the trope, the role of the woman as the victim in need of a male savior has remained constant, but her attackers have changed to suit the tastes and collective fears of the period: "monsters, mad scientists, Nazis, hippies, bikers, aliens..."[2]
- ^ a b Sarkeesian, Anita (March 7, 2013). "Damsel in Distress (Part 1) Tropes vs Women". Feminist Frequency. Archived from the original on October 30, 2016. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Lowbrow, Yeoman (December 28, 2014). "When Natives Attack! White Damsels and Jungle Savages in Pulp Fiction". Flashbak. Alum Media. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2021.