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[–] 13 points 7 months ago (5 children)

I think "fridging" implies more bodily harm (or threat thereof) than the traditional "damsel in distress" which is often a kidnapping or often a form of arranged marriage, though bodily harm is part of both. Either way, tropes change and can get new names over time, so I guess this might be a more modern term for an old trope with some new stuff added?

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  • [–] 3 points 7 months ago (3 children)

    Years of media have taught me that damsel-in-distress could easily be a woman tied to train tracks with an oncoming train or about to plunge off a cliff in a run away stagecoach. I disagree that damsel-in-distress is exclusive to non-bodily harm.

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  • [–] 4 points 7 months ago (2 children)

    Both of these examples are "imminent danger" where she hasn't been harmed yet, and can still be saved. Fridging would be if the hero discovers her already run over or walks in right as she's shot or whatever.

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