Line #223 Main/StuffedIntoTheFridge


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6	[[quoteright:300:[[ComicBook/GreenLantern https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/GreenLantern_02_300_8430.png]]]]
7	[[caption-width-right:300:"[[BlackComedy Well, there goes my appetite.]]"]]
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9	->''"If my enemies knew I had someone special, they wouldn't rest until they had gotten to me through'' her."
10	-->-- '''Batman''', ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague''
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12	When a loved one is hurt, killed, maimed, assaulted, or otherwise traumatized in order to motivate another character or move their plot forward.
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14	The term (sometimes referred to as "fridging") was popularized by comic book writer Creator/GailSimone through her website "Website/WomenInRefrigerators." On that site, Simone compiled a list of instances of female comic book characters who were killed off as a plot device. It is named for a storyline in ''ComicBook/GreenLanternANewDawn'', in which the villain Major Force leaves the corpse of Kyle Rayner's girlfriend, Alexandra [=DeWitt=], literally stuffed into a refrigerator for him to find. Years later, Major Force repeated the gimmick with Kyle's mother in an oven. (It was just a trick with a mannequin that time, though.)
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16	The term came to be used more broadly, over time, to refer to any character who is targeted by an antagonist who has them [[CharacterDeath killed off]], {{rape\|AsDrama}}d and/or otherwise brutalized, incapacitated, {{depower}}ed, or [[BrainwashedAndCrazy brainwashed]] for the sole purpose of affecting another character, motivating them to take action.
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18	"Fridging" is often given a very negative connotation as it is all too often a hallmark of supremely lazy writing -- quickly hurting or killing an established character as "cheap anger" for the protagonist, and devaluing the life of that character in the process, instead of giving the villain something actually interesting to do that can involve all three characters and more emotions than simple anger and angst.
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20	It should be noted that while the term most commonly applies to a male character's female love interest, it can actually be used in numerous different scenarios of all genders and different relations from romantic, platonic and familial. The core part is that one character is killed (or at least, has something ''very'' bad happen to them) for the sake of causing emotional trauma for the target, with said victim often acting as a plot device more than a real character in the worst-case scenarios.
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22	Not to be confused with being PutOnABus as a HumanPopsicle. Also not related to FridgeLogic, FridgeHorror, or FridgeBrilliance. Also don't confuse with LockedInAFreezer or ItCameFromTheFridge. See BodyInABreadbox and DeadMansChest for literally storing a dead body in household furniture/appliances.
23	!Please do not add examples to work pages, this merely [[Administrivia/DefinitionOnlyPages defines the term]]. Put applicable examples in the following tropes instead:
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26	* BodyInABreadbox: A dead body is found in a highly unusual place (such as a fridge).
27	* CollateralAngst: A person is hurt; the focus is on their loved one's reaction.
28	* CynicismCatalyst: A loved one's death makes the hero a grimmer and more cynical person.
29	* DisposableWoman: A minor female loved one is killed early on to motivate the hero to go do heroic things; she has little relevance afterwards.
30	* FriendlyTarget: The hero's closest loved ones are most at risk for being targeted.
31	* ILetGwenStacyDie: The hero feels responsible for a loved one's death.
32	* TheLostLenore: A love interest dies prior to the story or very early on, and their death remains relevant to their lover and the story.
33	* RevengeByProxy: Retaliating against someone by targeting someone close to them.
34	* TargetedToHurtTheHero: A character who is hurt or killed off to torment another character who cares about them.
35	* YouKilledMyFather: The hero's family member(s) (usually father) are killed and their deaths are the main reason to getting revenge.

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