Bring on the Bad Boys
Every Wednesday, YA Highway asks their readership a simple question to answer on your blog. Once you answer, you link your blog in the comments for other readers to hop on board. This is Road Trip Wednesday.
Today’s question: What are your favorite literary cliches?
The 9-5 job is (again) kicking my ass, so I only had time to think up one– The Bad Boy.
I’ve been intrigued with the bad boy since the world got introduced to Dylan Mckay back when pegging your jeans was still in style*. They’re mysterious, potentially dangerous, and everyone judges them based off of a few key facts or rumors. What people don’t know is that even they externally scream “BAMF!” they have a heart of gold.
In order to be a Bad Boy, the character should have one or more of the following characteristics:
- Rides a motorcycle
- Has a dysfunctional family where at least one parent has a drinking problem
- Smokes
- Smolders. A lot.
- Has anger issues
- Detention or suspension is a constant
- Has a substance abuse problem
- Runs with a “bad crowd”
- His reputation precedes him
Of course, while some boys have these traits and no redeeming qualities,** most have something to make us root for them and hope the girl and him do hook up. A few examples of this:
- Dylan and Brenda ***
- Patrick Verona and Kat
- Elena and Damon
Who are some of your favorite literary bad boys?
Don’t forget to stop by YA Highway to see what the other participants picked as their favorite cliche!
* I’m sure there were earlier ones, but this is the first one that stuck with me.
** Therefore, really being a BAMF.
*** Though Brenda was equally bad-girlish in her own right.
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Last.fm hit of the day: Everything Ends by Slipknot
PATRICK VERONA FTW Oh Heath Ledger, you taught me how to love.
The smoldering is key. I love a good smolder.
Oh, me too, me too. *swoons*
motorcycle = bad boy
you are so right.
Bad boys are my weakness. Well, one of my weaknesses.
I heart Dylan McKay 4eva
I tend to like the good guys better, unless they are total wimps (see: Edward, although I can't really see Jacob as a "bad boy" either). But I do love Patrick Verona and Rhett Butler!
Dude, I so feel you on the bad boy thing. I was so tired of bad boys that I wrote a whole place called the Badlands, and made everyone that is from there Bad. So there are a lot of Bad boys. I'm not even kidding.
Love your list of requirements! So true.
Fabulous list, Leesh. Patrick Verona… oh, Lordy Lord… this Shakespeare geek (and director of Shrew not once but twice) adored that movie…
Wow we DO share one brain. Awesome. Swoon away girlfriend swoon away.
If he smokes, he must therefore smolder. 😀