This is discussion archived from a time before the current discussion method was installed.
Working Title: Too Good To Live: From YKTTW
Looney Toons: Ack. Actually, I haven't been reading YKTTW in a while — I wrote this up on an impulse when I saw the phrase used in a completely different forum. I didn't realize the trope was already under consideration. If I stepped on anyone's toes, my apologies.
For the record, this trope first appeared when children began to be seen as children and not just miniature adults. Unfortunately, childhood mortality hadn't dropped significantly. So, to comfort themselves, the parents told themselves that the dead child had obviously been too good to stay on Earth for long. Also: Little Eva.
Volouscheur: Plus, there's the fact that up until very recently, it was considered to be bad luck to speak ill of the dead. This is actually still active in many areas; you do not speak ill of the deceased in this troper's very Jewish community (and family), nor in the parts of Cape Breton she's been so far. The belief was/is that the recently departed are still lurking around, listening, and if they hear bad things about themselves, they'll get angry and lurk around the bad-mouther and cause trouble for them. The alternative explanation, that speaking poorly about the recently deceased was a sign that you might've ill-wished them and done something to cause their death, is also something you'd want to avoid (being shunned is rather stress-inducing, and being burned at the stake just wrecks one's hairdo, after all).
Seven-of-Diamonds: Would Melly from Gone with the Wind count for this?
- Truth in Television - Barak Obama or Al Gore (and indeed many other Democratic Candidates) considered by their supporters to be too civil and nice for their own good to fight back or engage in negative campaigning...even while they insinuate that their opponents are racist Corrupt Corporate Executive fascists. Possible subversion, because the characters never actually are Too Good For This Sinful World, and once the campaign is over their supporters generally turn on their former idols.
- What was that you were saying about president-elect Obama?
Tanto: In addition to not making a whole lot of sense, this is in full violation of the Rule Of Cautious Editing Judgment. Please don't bring politics into this. Kana: The same entry is back again, as well as trashing JFK. No idea how Barack Obama or Al Gore are supposed to be even vaguely related to this trope, judging by how, y'know... They're still alive. Please, stop putting this stupid entry in.
