Despite criticism of the trope, the \u201cbad boy\u201d character remains immensely popular among readers and audiences. Whether he\u2019s got a supernatural side that makes him potentially lethal, like True Blood\u2019s Eric and Twilight\u2019s Edward, or a callous side that could turn him into a heartbreaker, like Lost\u2019s Sawyer and Gossip Girl\u2019s Chuck, they catch other characters\u2019 eyes and make fans swoon. (\u201cFemmes fatales\u201d likely serve the same function, for similar reasons, though they seem to be less common in stories these days.) The theory most often suggested is that we like the idea of a love interest we can change for the better. But wouldn\u2019t it be easier to go for someone who doesn’t need changing in the first place, and who isn\u2019t so likely to rip out our hearts (figuratively or literally)? Why is dangerous so much more appealing than safe? I think psychology may provide an answer.<\/p>\n
Comment there or here!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Despite criticism of the trope, the \u201cbad boy\u201d character remains immensely popular among readers and audiences. Whether he\u2019s got a supernatural side that makes him potentially lethal, like True Blood\u2019s Eric and Twilight\u2019s Edward, or a callous side that could … Continue reading