Understanding Perceptions of Idealized Characters Through a Comprehensive Analysis of Feedback on Mary Sue Novels

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Department of Computer Science and Engineering


MPhil Thesis Defence


Title: "Understanding Perceptions of Idealized Characters Through a 
Comprehensive Analysis of Feedback on Mary Sue Novels"

By

Miss Jiehui LUO


Abstract:

This thesis conducts a comprehensive analysis of the perceptions surrounding 
idealized characters, specifically focusing on the Mary Sue archetype in 
literary works. The term Mary Sues refers to characters often seen as overly 
idealized without credible flaws, serving as projections of the author's 
fantasies. This research explores how such characters serve as mirrors 
reflecting social dynamics both in the creative process and the reception by 
the audience.

Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study analyzes feedback from various 
online platforms, primarily Goodreads, where readers discuss and critique Mary 
Sue novels. The analysis includes qualitative content analysis and quantitative 
data analytics to dissect how readers perceive and interact with Mary Sue 
characters. The research identifies common traits and tropes associated with 
these characters and examines changes in reader perceptions over time, focusing 
on the decoding of judgments through a lexicon of character traits developed 
for this study. Findings reveal that while Mary Sue characters often engage 
readers due to their predictability and familiarity, they also attract 
criticism for reinforcing gender roles and societal expectations. The thesis 
discusses the implications of these findings for content creators and 
recommends strategies for narrative construction that can engage diverse 
audiences without perpetuating harmful stereotypes. This contributes to broader 
discussions in Human- Computer Interaction (HCI) and social norms in literary 
analysis.


Date:                   Wednesday, 7 August 2024

Time:                   3:00pm - 5:00pm

Venue:                  Room 5510
                        Lifts 25/26

Chairman:               Prof. Andrew HORNER

Committee Members:      Dr. Xiaojuan MA (Supervisor)
                        Dr. Jing WANG (ISOM)