I got to seriously thinking about some of the discussions around the internet about this movie character is or isn’t a Mary Sue, or this TV character, or this, or that, etc.
A pattern emerged quickly among the discussions that, according to these conversations, makes a Mary Sue test exceedingly short and simple. So I present one.
The Test
Instructions: keep 2 columns of tallies for answer a or answer b.
1) What is the character’s gender identity?
a) Male
b) Female
2) Is the character competent in more than 1 thing not traditionally a feminine role/activity/interest?
a) No
b) Yes
3) Is the character attractive?
a) No
b) Yes
Time to tally up!
Jaye Em Edgecliff 