Born Sexy Yesterday TV Tropes: The Ultimate Guide

Introduction

The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope is a common comedic and dramatic plot device in which a character is revealed to be far more intelligent and capable than they initially appeared. This trope can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating humor to subverting expectations.

Origins of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

The term "Born Sexy Yesterday" is thought to have originated from the 1950 film of the same name. In the film, a gangster's moll (Billie Dawn, played by Marilyn Monroe) is initially portrayed as a ditzy blonde. However, as the film progresses, it is revealed that she is actually a quick-witted and resourceful woman.

Characteristics of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

• The character appears to be naive, innocent, or otherwise lacking in intelligence.
• As the story progresses, it is revealed that the character is actually highly intelligent, capable, and/or knowledgeable.
• The revelation of the character's true intelligence often comes as a surprise to other characters and/or the audience.
• The trope can be used for a variety of purposes, from creating humor to subverting expectations.

Examples of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope has been used in a wide variety of films, television shows, and other media. Here are a few examples:

• Billie Dawn in "Born Sexy Yesterday" (1950): The prototypical example of the trope. Billie Dawn appears to be a ditzy blonde, but she is actually a quick-witted and resourceful woman.
• Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" (2001): Elle Woods appears to be a stereotypical sorority girl, but she is actually a brilliant lawyer.
• Arya Stark in "Game of Thrones" (2011-2019): Arya Stark appears to be a young, innocent girl, but she is actually a skilled warrior and assassin.
• Sakura Kinomoto in "Cardcaptor Sakura" (1998-2000): Sakura Kinomoto appears to be a typical elementary school girl, but she is actually a powerful magician.
• Judy Hopps in "Zootopia" (2016): Judy Hopps appears to be a naive and overeager rookie cop, but she is actually a skilled and determined detective.

Table 1: Examples of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope in Film and Television

Analysis of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope can be used to explore a variety of themes, including:

• The importance of not judging others by their appearance.
• The power of intelligence and knowledge.
• The dangers of underestimating someone.
• The importance of self-discovery and self-acceptance.

Criticism of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

While the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope can be effective when used well, it has also been criticized for perpetuating stereotypes and for being unrealistic. Some critics argue that the trope reinforces the idea that women are either dumb or sexy, and that they cannot be both. Others argue that the trope is unrealistic because it is unlikely that someone could hide their intelligence for so long.

Alternatives to the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

There are a number of alternatives to the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope that can be used to create similar effects. These alternatives include:

• The "Hidden Intelligence" Trope: This trope involves a character who appears to be intelligent, but who is actually hiding a secret intelligence that is far greater than anyone else realizes.
• The "Wise Fool" Trope: This trope involves a character who appears to be foolish or simple, but who is actually very wise and insightful.
• The "Underdog" Trope: This trope involves a character who is underestimated by others, but who ultimately proves to be more capable than anyone expected.

Table 2: Alternatives to the "Born Sexy Yesterday" Trope

Conclusion

The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope is a versatile and effective plot device that can be used to explore a variety of themes. However, it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls of using this trope and to consider the alternatives.

FAQs

1. What is the origin of the term "Born Sexy Yesterday"?

The term "Born Sexy Yesterday" is thought to have originated from the 1950 film of the same name.

2. What are some characteristics of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope?

Characteristics of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope include:

• The character appears to be naive, innocent, or otherwise lacking in intelligence.
• As the story progresses, it is revealed that the character is actually highly intelligent, capable, and/or knowledgeable.
• The revelation of the character's true intelligence often comes as a surprise to other characters and/or the audience.

3. What are some examples of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope?

Examples of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope include:

• Billie Dawn in "Born Sexy Yesterday" (1950)
• Elle Woods in "Legally Blonde" (2001)
• Arya Stark in "Game of Thrones" (2011-2019)
• Sakura Kinomoto in "Cardcaptor Sakura" (1998-2000)
• Judy Hopps in "Zootopia" (2016)

4. What are some alternatives to the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope?

Alternatives to the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope include:

• The "Hidden Intelligence" Trope
• The "Wise Fool" Trope
• The "Underdog" Trope

5. What are some criticisms of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope?

Criticisms of the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope include:

• It reinforces the idea that women are either dumb or sexy and cannot be both.
• It is unrealistic because it is unlikely that someone could hide their intelligence for so long.

6. How can the "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope be used effectively?

The "Born Sexy Yesterday" trope can be used effectively when it is used to:

• Create humor
• Subvert expectations
• Explore themes such as:
  • The importance of not judging others by their appearance
  • The power of intelligence and knowledge
  • The dangers of underestimating someone
  • The importance of self-discovery and self-acceptance