Gender stereotyping malice: Camouflagingin stock characters and archetypes

Abstract

Arche type and stock/generic characters have exhibited an enormous presence in 
almost all ages, forms and genres of literary texts. The booming evolution of media forms over 
time caused these types of characters to transition to the newer and popularity-attaining media 
forms including theatre, cinema, games and most recently the meta-verse. As the norm goes, 
these characters in return have contributed immensely to the creative arts providing them with a 
stock medium of expression readily available for narration. However, these characters at the 
same time have contributed to both, the creation of new gender stereotypes and strengthening of 
the previously existing ones. Over time, these gender stereotypes have, in multiple ways, 
consciously or unconsciously contributed to the conditioning of the society at large through 
media consumption and have also rendered considerable impact on several important domains 
of human life including education, professional space, society and the people encompassing 
various disciplines. Modern Indian media, too inculcated these types of characters in their 
chosen narrations leading to a borrowing of the imbibed gender stereotypes as well. Witnessing 
shifts of trends, these characters too have undergone updates leading to a variety of changes and 
alterations with regard to gender stereotypes. However, these newer modifications are not yet so 
significant than the initial cultural impact of the same while accompanying with them is again a 
newer baggage of gender stereotypes. 
The present paper aims at understanding such prevalent gender stereotypes that have been 
nurtured, strengthened and formulated as a result of the archetype and stock/generic characters 
thereby enabling identification of such for a wider audience especially those linked to the 
educational space. Thus, nurturing the underlying aim of helping them (educational 
professionals) understand the influences hence generated through these recurring character 
types in multiple media. The paper favours a rather critical outlook upon the roles and impacts 
of such characters in gender stereotyping and/or their strengthening along with the key issues 
that they have given rise to considering the population and/or society at large. It aims at a 
thorough examination of selected and abundantly prevalent archetype stock/generic characters 
as such including the action hero, chosen one, Christ figure, dark lady, Damsel in distress, dumb 
blonde, folk hero and the French maid to name a few. It will facilitate an understanding of the 
sources, backing and flow of gender stereotypes as is lent through these characters. The paper seeks to examine these with regard to Indian Media citing examples ranging from literary works and motion pictures to internet media like memes and short videos. 
The present paper has employed qualitative approach. Under qualitative approach, it is 
narrative research examining the various imprints of such characters in various media and their 
role. 
The outcomes thus help not only understand, but also trace, segregate and relook towards the 
inculcation of gender stereotypes lent by these character types.