Broken Smile fits the Laconic, the description should be called Stops Smiling or something.
I see the Awesomeness.
I think the Laconic has a more fitting definition for the name. Check the examples.
Fight smart, not fair.
One Winged Egret
Broken Smile implies that the smile has been broken. IE: you had a smile but it broke. I think both interpretations make sense for the name.
Checking the examples on the page and on some wicking pages, it seems that the favored definition is the laconic's. The way I see it, the Stepford Smiler bit is a subtrope at best, so a little broadening of the definition is all we need to do.
Yeah, unwritten rule number one: follow all the unwritten procedures. - Camacan
@collex: Actually, I think the mention of the Stepford Smiler in the description might be misleading you. I read the Laconic and the full description and I didn't see that much difference. She doesn't stop smiling, she's just getting more stressed and having to force the charade to the point of appearing psychotic or manic. Her mask (i.e. smile) is breaking or broken.
Image looks fine in my opinion.
Also, I really don't think either of these is a subtrope of the other. The Broken Smile may be from a Stepford Smiler, but could just as easily be from an idealistic or cheery person. Maybe someone who thinks they're tough, but has no idea how to cope except through laughing or smiling out of fear or stress.
[The rest was unintelligible.]
I haven't done enough investigation, but I think what we are seeing here is a product of the trope not going through YKTTW. It seems like a general trope is framed in a much too specific way. Many characters flag an end to sanity with a smile that has nothing happy about it.
I think the trope would have greater utility if Stepford Smiler mentioned as more of a see-also, not a implied requirement. (Unless we already have it under a different name.)
edited 18th Dec '11 5:25:53 AM by Camacan
Nobody has discussed this in two months. Is there still something that needs to be done, or can it be closed?
FABRICATI DIEM, PVNC!
Locking.
Quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur.
Yeah, so my problem is that the laconic describe the trope in one way, the description in another. Which one is right?
Laconic: Someone has a deranged smile on as his psyche is breaking down.
Description: A Stepford Smiler stop smiling, or at least stop smiling in the way she usually does.
So, which one should we prefer?
Also, I think the image is bad and JAFAAC, but we should clear up the meaning before I think.