The closest thing we might have to this is Miles Glorious or Faux Action Girl
What this trope describes seems so much different from what the name implies. I've used it to mean "proper lady isn't as weak or helpless as she appears", although the page description makes it sound like it really means Proper Lady + The Chessmaster + The Starscream which would mean there's no real trope to describe a Proper Lady or The Ingenue who actually has a spine and can get things done, not necessarily as The Puppetmaster but just by not being a pushover, unless subversions of The Ingenue and Proper Lady count.
One thing that confuses me about this trope, which I don't think is properly discussed, is if the kindness and gentleness of the person in question can actually be genuine or not. The way the trope is presented, it sounds like the silk aspect is something that is simply a deception. What is to say that a woman with that kindness in her can't also be able to wipe the floor with someone-or perhaps have danger in their lives and can deal with it, but then afterwards still show that potentially heroic and compassionate side we all know exists because its truthful?
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The silk aspect is not necessarily a deception. It's more that the Proper Lady with her Parasol of Prettiness does not LOOK like she could wipe the floor with someone. This image of harmlessness could be invoked for deception or it could simply be how they are. In that case, Underestimating Badassery and Good Is Not Soft come into play.
I feel like the page quote distracts from the basic form of the trope, due to all the instances of "pony" instead of "body," or "person." The quote itself is good, I just feel like the pointless word substitution distracts from the trope.
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That's way she says it, of course we could make it pony[person].
Edited by shoboni
Axis Powers Hetalia: Lithuania, who would be a Yamato Nadeshiko if he were not from Europe and male.
Okay, not to dispute that Lithuania is very much this trope, one does not have to be either Asiatic or female to qualify as a Yamato Nadeshiko. As for that trope, that is about demeanor and attitude; basically, meek, humble, and submissive, but with a touch of iron for good measure. None of the listed qualities need be gender- or ethnospecific.
It should also be noted that this character can be a Distressed Damsel, but is often than not a Badass Damsel because of how she can manipulate and have the strongest will despite being in the dangerous situation she is in.
Also, I imagine it should be said that her gentleness and compassion could actually be genuine. Very genuine-soft and caring and loving to the people she is with-but also willing to change gears if need be.
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All true, but I'm afarid it would become a tangent. it could always go on the analysis page.
I'm still not totally sure how this is separate from Lady of War, honestly.
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That trope is about fighting. This one is not. Rather, its about manipulation. Fighting is a side note. That's the concise version.
Isn't Yuna supposed to be in Yamato Nadeshiko?
EDIT: I checked it is. So I removed this one.
Edited by drdeathray
Since Silk Hiding Steel includes references to so many tropes, I think it's important that the differences between this and them are clearly delineated. Eg:
The Iron Lady doesn't really care about and dispenses with the silk part.
Lady of War is the martial Silk Hiding Steel.
Yamato Nadeshiko is the Japanese variation.
The Woman Wearing The Queenly Mask is defined by the situation she is in.
Determined Widow is also situational, and doesn't carry the upper-class connotations of this trope.
The more I think about it, the more I think there is or should be an opposite version of this trope.
Concerning Red Oni, Blue Oni, this trope is simple: The Silk (Blue) is on the outside while the Steel (Red) is on the inside. The unabridged page says that a Tsundere is the trope's opposite by hiding Blue Oni Hidden Depths with a Red Oni exterior, but I'm not sure of that since Tsundere is about a specific type of character while Silk Hiding Steel is about a trait.
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