History Main / DamselInDistress

* Later in Wrestling/{{WCW}}, the nWo would try to send a message to David Flair by kidnapping his LooneyFan Wrestling/DaffneyUnger. Wrestling/ScottSteiner actually acknowledged [[YouCanKeepHer that it might not have been the best idea]].

* Wrestling/{{TNA}} would later revisit the assault someone else's wife I want to have sex with angle with Wrestling/ScottSteiner going after Kristal Lashley until her husband Wrestling/{{Bobby|Lashley}} made the save.[[/folder]]

[[RealWomenDontWearDresses Don't expect people to sympathize with the damsel if she doesn't free herself]], even if she really is helpless. The trend of the moment is to give the damsel something to do besides stand around uselessly. The DamselOutOfDistress will put up a fight, which can either help or make things worse. The DefiantCaptive damsel will snarl and rage where her meeker sister would scream. There are even subversions in the line of PlayAlongPrisoner: the DecoyDamsel puts on all the appearance of this trope, but her helplessness is all for show.

If the kidnapper in question is particularly nasty, expect an IHaveYouNowMyPretty situation to occur. If the character does not become a DamselScrappy but still is constantly captured, they are a DesignatedVictim. A more sexist version is the DisposableWoman.

There is much interest in making this a DiscreditedTrope due to the perceived sexism historically associated with it. It is definitely not as widespread in the western world as it used to be and there are many instances in media that are deliberately written as an [[ActionGirl aversion]] to this trope.

Sometimes the character gets kidnapped for the sake of her [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman good looks]] or [[BlueBlood royal blood]], but in other works she's more likely doing something that is a threat to the party that kidnaps her ([[IntrepidReporter reporters are common]]), which allows her to look smart and independent [[UnfortunateImplications before she needs to be saved]]. Alternatively, she can end up prisoner as a HeroicSacrifice; situations where she puts herself in peril so that others can get away are popular, even if her plan ultimately fails.

For the GenderFlip, see DistressedDude. See also DistressBall, StandardFemaleGrabArea, DeterminedWidow, IHaveYourWife, ThePresidentsDaughter, SaveThePrincess. If the girl is actually ''faking'' this for her own benefits, depending on her purposes she's either a DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel or a DecoyDamsel. A typical damsel that rescues herself is a DamselOutOfDistress. If she has a strong spirit despite captivity than he/she is a DefiantCaptive. If the hero leaves the damsel in distress, that's DelayingTheRescue. See also TheCaptivityNarrative for a plot based on this.

->''"Sometimes I wonder if she just'' lets ''herself get kidnapped for fun."''
-->-- '''[[VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising Viridi]]''' referring to '''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]]''', ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. for Wii U]]''

A character, usually female and nubile, is made [[NeutralFemale helpless]] and put into immediate danger in order to put the cast in motion. Her plight unites the cast, causing them to put aside [[DividedWeFall their differences]] and work together to save her.

->''"Sometimes I wonder if she just'' let's ''herself get kidnapped for fun."''

-->-- '''[[KidIcarusUprising Viridi]]''' referring to '''[[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]]''', ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS]]''

->''"Sometimes I wonder if she just let's herself get kidnapped for fun."''

->''"Why is she always the one getting kidnapped?'' I'm ''the princess!"''
-->-- '''Amalia Sheran Sharm''', ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}''

For the GenderFlip, see DistressedDude. See also DistressBall, StandardFemaleGrabArea, DeterminedWidow, IHaveYourWife, ThePresidentsDaughter, SaveThePrincess. If the girl is actually ''faking'' this for her own benefits, depending on her purposes she's either a DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel or a DecoyDamsel. A typical damsel that rescues herself is a DamselOutOfDistress. If she has a strong spirit despite captivity than he/she is a DefiantCaptive. See also TheCaptivityNarrative for a plot based on this.

There is much interest in making this a DiscreditedTrope due to the perceived sexism historically associated with it. It is definitely not as widespread in the western world as it used to be and there are many instances in media that are clearly written as an aversion to this trope.

For the GenderFlip, see DistressedDude. See also DistressBall, StandardFemaleGrabArea, DeterminedWidow, IHaveYourWife, ThePresidentsDaughter, SaveThePrincess. If the girl is actually ''faking'' this for her own benefits, depending on her purposes she's either a DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel or a DecoyDamsel. A typical damsel that rescues herself is a DamselOutOfDistress. If she has a strong spirit despite captivity than he/she is a DefiantCaptive.

* DamselInDistress/Literature

* DamselInDistress/Music

* DamselInDistress/Pinball

[[caption-width-right:350:[[SaveThePrincess Just another Wednesday for]] [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Princess Peach]].]]

[[RealWomenNeverWearDresses Don't expect people to sympathize with the damsel if she doesn't free herself]], even if she really is helpless. The trend of the moment is to give the damsel something to do besides stand around uselessly. The DamselOutOfDistress will put up a fight, which can either help or make things worse. The DefiantCaptive damsel will snarl and rage where her meeker sister would scream. There are even subversions in the line of PlayAlongPrisoner: the DecoyDamsel puts on all the appearance of this trope, but her helplessness is all for show.

* DamselInDistress/{{Anime And Manga}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Comic Books}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Fairy Tales}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Animated Films}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Live Action Films}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Literature}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Live Action TV}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Music}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Myths And Religion}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Pinball}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Video Games}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Web Comics}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Web Original}}
* DamselInDistress/{{Western Animation}}

* Lola Bunny at the end of this [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAB-zHpcmag UK advert for Walkers Crisps.]]

* Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video had this twice, in the movie the Michael and his date are watching at the start, then again the date's dream. It's implied that it happens a third time once she wakes up.

->''"[[LampshadeHanging Why is she always the one getting kidnapped]]?'' I'm ''the princess!"''

* DamselInDistress/{{Live-Action Films}}

* DamselInDistress/{{Live-Action TV}}

A character, usually female and nubile, is portrayed as [[NeutralFemale helpless]] and in danger in order to put the cast in motion. In particular, the cast is unified, putting aside [[DividedWeFall differences]] in pursuit of the rescue.

This works if the damsel in distress is a beloved character, but can be very annoying if the audience [[DamselScrappy wouldn't mind her dead]], or sees the helplessness as CharacterDerailment. An ActionGirl who [[{{Chickification}} becomes a damsel in distress]] is likely a FauxActionGirl, though not always; if they can reclaim their ActionGirl credentials after being freed, they were just experiencing BadassInDistress after being thrown a DistressBall.

[[RealWomenNeverWearDresses Don't expect people to cut her some slack, even if she logically would not have the power or abilities necessary to help]]. In more other works the damsel is [[DamselOutOfDistress more likely to rebel one way or another]], which can either help or make things worse. The screaming associated with this trope has largely been replaced with [[DefiantCaptive getting angry and telling her captors to put her down]], but she will still scream when they throw her off a building.

Sometimes the character gets kidnapped for the sake of her [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman good looks]] or [[BlueBlood royal blood]], but in other works she's more likely doing something that is a threat to the party that kidnaps her ([[IntrepidReporter reporters are common]]), which allows her to look smart and independent [[UnfortunateImplications before she needs to be saved]]. Alternatively, she can end up prisoner as a HeroicSacrifice; realizing that there is only enough room to get all the children on the transport, or attempting to free other prisoners (which may or may not succeed before her capture) are popular.

Generally expected to give TheHero a SmoochOfVictory when he rescues her. [[ILetGwenStacyDie Unless]] [[RedundantRescue he doesn't.]]

[[folder:Radio]]
* ''Radio/TheShadow'''s companion Margot Lane served the function of designated hostage more often than not...especially if a MadScientist needed a "test subject."
** Margot Lane is also an example of {{Flanderization}}. In the early episodes with Orson Welles, she was fairly competent and saved The Shadow almost as much as he saved her.

[[folder:Real Life]]
* Choi Eun-hee, a South Korean actress, was kidnapped by North Korea. Twice.
[[/folder]]

For the GenderFlip, see DistressedDude. See also DistressBall, StandardFemaleGrabArea, DeterminedWidow, IHaveYourWife, ThePresidentsDaughter, SaveThePrincess. If the girl is actually ''faking'' this for her own benefits, depending on her purposes she's either a DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel or a DecoyDamsel. If she's got a strong spirit despite her fighting disadvantages, she's a BadassDamsel.

* ChildBallad ''[[http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch060.htm King Estmere]]''. The king goes wooing on the recommendation of his brother, and arrives to find the lady is being forced to marry. He rescues her.
* ChildBallad ''[[http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch095.htm The Maid Freed from the Gallows]]'' has the heroine about to be hanged if she is not ransomed. Various relatives arrive and declare they are there to see her hanged. Finally, her true love arrives and ransoms her. (Most American versions of this ballad feature a GenderFlip version, of a man about to be hanged, but this is the older variant.)
* In the ChildBallad ''Literature/SirAldingar'', the queen.

ChainedToARock is an ancient form; GirlInTheTower and HypnotizeThePrincess came later. A non-endangered form exists in the LivingMacGuffin, who is safe but out of the hero's reach, be it with distance or conditioning love/marriage. Damsels in distress are often BoundAndGagged, especially where AuthorAppeal is concerned.

For the GenderFlip, see DistressedDude. See also DistressBall, StandardFemaleGrabArea, DeterminedWidow, IHaveYourWife, ThePresidentsDaughter and SaveThePrincess. If the girl is actually ''faking'' this for her own benefits, depending on her purposes she's either a DeliberatelyDistressedDamsel or a DecoyDamsel. If she's got a strong spirit despite her fighting disadvantages, she's a BadassDamsel.

[[RealWomenNeverWearDresses Don't expect people to cut her some slack, even if she logically would not have the power or abilities necessary to help]]. In more recent works the damsel is [[BadassDamsel more likely to rebel one way or another]], which can either help or make things worse. The screaming associated with this trope has largely been replaced with getting angry and telling her captors to put her down, but she will still scream when they throw her off a building.

Sometimes the character gets kidnapped for the sake of her [[WorldsMostBeautifulWoman good looks]] or [[BlueBlood royal blood]], but in recent works she's more likely doing something that is a threat to the party that kidnaps her ([[IntrepidReporter reporters are common]]), which allows her to look smart and independent [[UnfortunateImplications before she needs to be saved]]. Alternatively, she can end up prisoner as a HeroicSacrifice; realizing that there is only enough room to get all the children on the transport, or attempting to free other prisoners (which may or may not succeed before her capture) are popular.

ChainedToARock is an ancient form; GirlInTheTower and HypnotizeThePrincess are slightly more recent. A non-endangered form exists in the LivingMacGuffin, who is safe but out of the hero's reach, be it with distance or conditioning love/marriage. Damsels in distress are often BoundAndGagged, especially where AuthorAppeal is concerned.