And so it is rose-tinted February again. Streets smell of flowers despite it not being spring just yet. It’s a season to love, and that is undeniable. But love is not always written in cursive and dedicated to a partner. It is shared and guarded in friendships, families, and communities. It shifts and merges. It is these other types of relationship journeys that make some of the most interesting character dynamics of literature and media in general. Everyone will like some better than others, but this is my personal ranking of 8 relationship dynamics in fiction which have nothing to do with romance. 8. Opposite twins A deep contrast between two characters who have completely different goals, interests, and lifestyles can be the buildup of a clashing relationship. The path to understand each other’s perspective is a rough one. This path can be engaging, but it being applied to twins is an overused trope, and can feel forced. I personally am not ready to see another girly-girl and tomboy pair. 7. Parent and child being best friends I am all-in for nurturing and healthy parent-child relationships. But when taken to an extreme, it lacks responsibility and this can reach a frustrating point. Lorelai and Rory Gilmore are the first example that comes to my mind. I did enjoy watching them both grow in their personal challenges, but I thought Rory was seldom corrected or guided in order to protect the relationship she had with Lorelai. 6. Single parent and adopted kid In this dynamic, the parent often becomes a mentor, and an inexperienced one at that. The young mentee has no idea how to use a magical power, and the mentor does not know how to talk to them when they are struggling in school. Turns out they are both teaching each other something without realising. In doing so, they can grow together. 5. Rivals to allies There is tension, buildup, reluctant acceptance, and the realisation that the characters actually make a great team. They learn to work with, instead of against each other in order to meet a common goal. No romantic feelings are needed for them to cooperate. Instead, as they go through this process, respect and loyalty are highlighted, and that is what I like about this trope. 4. Chaotic vs. calm friend Two characters are under pressure, and neither of them has any idea of what to do. One is breathing deeply, working out a plan. The other is panicking and pacing around the room. Somewhere in the middle of crisis and a bit of debate, they miraculously reach a solution. It is a balanced contrast of perspectives while still allowing for a common ground. It is entertaining, and it can be funny too. 3. Friends to strangers A character losing the person they thought would always be by their side. The one they trusted their deepest secrets and their wildest dreams to. They distance themselves from each other slowly, they cannot recognize the person they used to laugh and play with. It is heartbreaking, but it is also impactful. And that is why it is in the top three in this ranking. 2. Found family What would this list be, without one of the most cherished tropes out there? A group of people who were once strangers meet by chance or duty. They learn the ways and flaws of each other. They develop trust, and they find comfort in this group. Taking time to consolidate an environment that will see each character through thick and thin. This is what found family stands and fights for. 1. Siblings who are there to support each other Siblings are, in my opinion, the most underappreciated dynamic out there. They share a background, and its culture, hardships, and triumphs. They can reminisce on childhood memories while encouraging each other in their individual path. The Weasley siblings, the Bennet and the March sisters. Knowledge of a past under the same roof and of an ambitious future is what makes this trope so special to me. What other non-romantic tropes do you enjoy reading about? Do you agree with my ranking? Do not hesitate to let us know! Paula Argudois an Ecuadorian writer who weaves culture and magic into her stories. Her work has been featured in literary magazines such as SeaGlass Literary and Ice Lolly Review, and she was an international finalist in the Metamorphosis contest. When not writing, you can find her dancing, baking, or daydreaming.
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