History Main / StepFordSmiler

!!Examples:

* StepfordSmiler/AnimatedFilms

* StepfordSmiler/{{Film}}

[[caption-width-right:350: OK, [[TropeNamers you]] can stop [[TheUnSmile smiling]] now... [[UncannyValley Please?]]]]

The Empty's mask itself can also hide a terrible secret... ''there is '''nothing''' behind it.'' The void is either a result of using up so much energy [[IJustWantToBeNormal pretending to be normal]] that nothing is left over, or because there was [[TheSoulless nothing there to begin with.]] The [[TropeNamers trope-naming]] [[Literature/TheStepfordWives Stepford Wives]] fall into this second category, naturally.

See also BeneathTheMask, BitchInSheepsClothing, BrokenAce, BrokenHero, ComedicSociopathy, EvilAllAlong, EvilMatriarch, ExtremeDoormat, TheFakeCutie, FauxAffablyEvil, HappinessIsMandatory, IJustWantToBeNormal, {{Masquerade}}, SadClown, ThinkHappyThoughts, UncannyValleyGirl, {{Yandere}}, and the darker variants of MinnesotaNice. The CrapsaccharineWorld is basically this trope upscaled to include the entire society.

Another possibility is that she's smiling because she lives or works someplace where HappinessIsMandatory.

See also BeneathTheMask, BitchInSheepsClothing, BrokenAce, BrokenHero, ComedicSociopathy, EvilAllAlong, EvilMatriarch, ExtremeDoormat, TheFakeCutie, FauxAffablyEvil, IJustWantToBeNormal, {{Masquerade}}, SadClown, ThinkHappyThoughts, UncannyValleyGirl, {{Yandere}}, and the darker variants of MinnesotaNice. The CrapsaccharineWorld is basically this trope upscaled to include the entire society.

Science does add some credence to the trope, as those who default to a half-smile expression tend to report a generally better mood, regardless of any outside factor. However, this does not extend to a full on fake demi-SlasherSmile, suggesting that even the person's brain chemistry isn't fooled by the facade.

Compare/Contrast with TheSnarkKnight (whose demeanor is typically the [[InvertedTrope inverse]] of the Stepford Smiler), StepfordSnarker (whose motives are the same, but whose mask is made of [[DeadpanSnarker snark]] rather than smiles) and ObviouslyNotFine (if someone is ''trying'' to be a Stepford Smiler, but their sadness is all over their face).

See also BeneathTheMask, BitchInSheepsClothing, BrokenAce, BrokenHero, ComedicSociopathy, EvilMatriarch, ExtremeDoormat, TheFakeCutie, FauxAffablyEvil, IJustWantToBeNormal, {{Masquerade}}, SadClown, ThinkHappyThoughts, UncannyValleyGirl, {{Yandere}}, and the darker variants of MinnesotaNice. The CrapsaccharineWorld is basically this trope upscaled to include the entire society.

Everyone loves [[PuritySue Alice]]! [[LoveIsInTheAir Who wouldn't?]] She's [[Film/MaryPoppins practically perfect in every way]]. She's bright, chipper, and pleasant under all circumstances. You've never seen her annoyed, let alone angry. She has a kind word for everyone and she treats everyone like her best friend.

Of course, it's all a lie.

Everyone loves PuritySue. [[LoveIsInTheAir They can't help it!]] She's [[Film/MaryPoppins practically perfect in every way]]. The Stepford Smiler is much like PuritySue: she's bright, chipper, and an all-around pleasant person to be with.

It's all a lie, of course.

The Stepford Smiler is obsessed with projecting an image of wholesome happiness in order to be accepted by her peers. Tragically enough, they'd probably [[ThePowerOfFriendship accept her]] for who she is regardless of her self-imposed {{Masquerade}}. Her flawlessly crafted facade hides a real person that's usually breaking like so much fine china, in order to keep up the deception.

* '''Empty''': The character seems to be [[ThePollyanna kind and cheerful]], but [[TrueSelf is actually]] [[ExtremeDoormat motiveless]] and [[EmptyShell hollow]].

See also BeneathTheMask, BitchInSheepsClothing, BrokenAce, BrokenHero, ComedicSociopathy, EvilMatriarch, ExtremeDoormat, TheFakeCutie, FauxAffablyEvil, IJustWantToBeNormal, MarySue, {{Masquerade}}, SadClown, ThinkHappyThoughts, UncannyValleyGirl, {{Yandere}}, and the darker variants of MinnesotaNice. The CrapsaccharineWorld is basically this trope upscaled to include the entire society.

* StepfordSmiler/{{Other}}

* StepfordSmiler/FanFic

Contrast with the StrawNihilist, TheStoic, ThePollyanna, YamatoNadeshiko.

Compare/Contrast with TheSnarkKnight, whose demeanor is typically the [[InvertedTrope inverse]] of the Stepford Smiler, and the StepfordSnarker, whose motives are the same, but whose mask is made of [[DeadpanSnarker snark]] rather than smiles. If someone is ''trying'' to be a Stepford Smiler, but their sadness is all over their face, they're ObviouslyNotFine.
Contrast DramaQueen.

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Compare/Contrast with TheSnarkKnight, whose demeanor is typically the [[InvertedTrope inverse]] of the Stepford Smiler, and the StepfordSnarker, whose motives are the same, but whose mask is made of [[DeadpanSnarker snark]] rather than smiles.

* StepfordSmiler/WebComics

[[caption-width-right:350: OK, you can stop [[TheUnSmile smiling]] now... [[UncannyValley Please?]]]]

* StepfordSmiler/NewspaperComics

There is a very good chance that she is dosed up on prescription tranquilizers or antidepressants (Valium, Xanax, and/or Prozac are staple favorites)--or good old fashioned over-the-counter alcohol--often to the point of dependence. With or without drugs, if a Stepford Smiler smiles long enough without [[BrokenSmile cracking]], she can ''{{becom|ingTheMask}}e'' [[BecomingTheMask the mask]] and turn Unstable. Some Stepford Smilers buy into the dead {{Franchise/Barbie}} smiles to such a degree that they care for ''nothing'' other than maintaining appearances, having money, making sure their [[GoodHairEvilHair hair is]] ''[[PowerHair just right,]]'' and improving their social standing, all of which are pursued with equally {{Social Darwinist}}ic means. Essentially, they become the materialist equivalent of the NietzscheWannabe. Unstable characters sometimes have [[SlasherSmile another kind of smile]] behind the fake one.

* '''Depressed''': The character seems to be happy, cheerful, is always smiling and seems to live a perfect life - [[BeneathTheMask but inside]] [[TheEeyore they are melancholic, if not outright depressed]].

* '''Unstable''': The smile [[AxCrazy hides mental instability, and even madness]].

See also BeneathTheMask, BitchInSheepsClothing, BrokenAce, ComedicSociopathy, EvilMatriarch, ExtremeDoormat, TheFakeCutie, FauxAffablyEvil, IJustWantToBeNormal, MarySue, {{Masquerade}}, SadClown, ThinkHappyThoughts, UncannyValleyGirl, {{Yandere}}, and the darker variants of MinnesotaNice. The CrapsaccharineWorld is basically this trope upscaled to include the entire society.

* '''Depressed:''' The character seems to be happy, cheerful, is always smiling and seems to live a perfect life - [[BeneathTheMask but inside]] [[TheEeyore they are melancholic, if not outright depressed]].
* '''Empty:''' The character seems to be [[ThePollyanna kind and cheerful]], but [[TrueSelf is actually]] [[ExtremeDoormat motiveless]] and [[EmptyShell hollow]].
* '''Unstable:''' The smile [[AxCrazy hides mental instability, and even madness]].

'''Depressed:''' The character seems to be happy, cheerful, is always smiling and seems to live a perfect life - [[BeneathTheMask but inside]] [[TheEeyore they are melancholic, if not outright depressed]].

'''Empty:''' The character seems to be [[ThePollyanna kind and cheerful]], but [[TrueSelf is actually]] [[ExtremeDoormat motiveless]] and [[EmptyShell hollow]].

'''Unstable:''' The smile [[AxCrazy hides mental instability, and even madness]].