Definition
Mary Sue is community slang for an idealized character who excels easily, wins every conflict, and draws uncritical admiration from others in the story.
Example
A new recruit who masters every skill in one chapter and has every veteran instantly trust her may read as a Mary Sue.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Using Mary Sue as a dismissive label for any competent female protagonist.
- Fixing a flat character only by adding random flaws without real consequences.