Sunday, August 21, 2011

Sex and the City: Who Would You Be?

OK, I admit I'm a big Sex and the City Fan. Not so much the movies, but the series was one of my favorites- I still watch re-runs. I was drawn into the lives of the four women, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda.
As I was trying to decide what to blog about this week - yes, I was watching TV while pondering - I started thinking about the varied personalities of the women and wondered if that was what made the show such a hit. Was it because every woman watching could find a little bit of herself or her friends in the women on the screen?

So then I thought about how these characters fit into the eight archetypes that writers use when building a character. Since I've seen every episode, I had a pretty clear idea of where each woman would fit. But for those of you who haven't seen the series, I thought I would make a comparison. And then if you have the chance to see the show, it might give you ideas for character development/flaws. Plus, I just really like the show.  LOL



The main character is Carrie Bradshaw.(A writer. Gotta love that!) She narrated the series. She is archetype THE SPUNKY KID: gutsy and true, she is loyal to the end. She is a favorite of many writers, and for good reason. You can’t help but root for her. She’s the girl with moxie. She’s not looking to be at the top of the heap; she just wants to be in her own little niche. She’s the team player, the one who is always ready to lend a hand. But in my opinion, Carrie has a healthy dose of THE FREE SPIRIT in her. I saw traits like:
eternal optimist. Playful and fun-loving, she travels through life with a hop, skip and a jump, always stopping to smell the flowers and admire the pretty colors. She acts on a whim and follows her heart, not her head.


Next comes Samantha Jones. I think Sam is one of the most complex character on Sex and the City. (I'll tell you the other one in a moment) She plays the role of a successful business woman who chooses to live her private life . . . in sexual decadence. Her character makes no apologies that she has random, meaningless sex - "like a man". However, as the series continued, her character grew, the audience saw other sides to her personality. She even learned how to fall in love. Anyway, I think Sam is an even mix of archetypes THE BOSS: a real go-getter, she climbs the ladder of success. This is a “take charge” female, who accepts nothing but respect. Reaching her goal post the most important thing in life to her, and she isn’t bothered by a few ruffled feathers along the way. And THE SEDUCTRESS: an enchantress, she gets her way. This is a lady who is long accustomed to sizing up everyone in a room the minute she enters. Mysterious and manipulative, she hides a streak of distrust a mile wide and ten miles deep. 

Next, let's look at Charlotte York. Although Charlotte has a job in a museum, she doesn't hide the fact her real goal is finding the perfect husband. She's an example of THE WAIF: a distressed damsel, she bends with the wind. She’s the original damsel in distress. Her child-like innocence evokes a protective urge in the beastliest of heroes. But don’t be fooled, because the WAIF has tremendous strength of will. She won’t fight back; she’ll endure.

Lastly, Miranda Hobbs. Lawyer. Busy, busy career-minded, Miranda. To say cynic is not going too far.  She is the other character that had so much growth during the series.She's THE CRUSADER: a dedicated fighter, she meets her commitments. No shrinking violet, no distressed damsel, here. This lady is on a mission, and she marches right over anyone in her way. Tenacious and headstrong, she brushes off any opposition to her goal. BUT she's got the hidden trait of THE NURTURER: serene and capable, she nourishes the spirit. Not always Suzy Homemaker, this lady takes care of everyone. This hidden trait is her growth and by the last season, the last show, her kindness had me in tears.
OK, that and the fact that "Mr. Big" goes all the way to Paris to tell Carrie "she's the one." Ahhh, romance:)

I hope this helps gives a visual example of the archetypes. In my opinion one of the best books on the subject is THE COMPLETE WRITERS' GUIDE TO HEROES AND HEROINES by Viders, Cowden and LaFever. This is where I got all the above information and is a wonderful resource! Here's the link in case you'd like to purchase this book  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003FCVEGY/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d5_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=14XZ96K4YWYSC1FJWT2T&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846]-

9 comments:

  1. Awesome post JENN!

    I will admit, I've only seen a few episodes of SITC when it was on TV. But I've seen both movies! So hopefully that gives me points! LOL

    I like to think I'm a mix between Carrie and Samantha (and not for the reasons you might think!) Carrie's the girl next door, with the fashion sense of someone we all wish we could be. Samantha (like you said) sizes up people then goes from there. I think I have both of those characteristics in me. I'm a 'gazer', and I read people, before going up to them. I can sense others emotions easily. I also like to think I know fashion, even if I don't have the amount of funds that Carrie does to indulge!

    This was interesting Jenn. And totally fun!
    HUGS
    Trish

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  2. Great post Jenn!

    I would say that I am probably more like Carrie with a tad of Charlotte and Miranda put in the mix. Like Carrie, I am very loyal and true to myself. I also randomly clap when I am excited so that probably relates to her skipping and hopping (which I do occasionally too).

    I am not the damsel in distress like Charlotte, but I think I possess some of her qualities. She is probably the most quiet and reserved and I am that way with people I don't know well. However, I am good at taking care of myself.

    I am a little like Miranda, in that I have goals and nothing stops me from pursuing them. I am driven like she is. I usually set out to accomplish what I want to do like she does.

    So there is my self analysis! It was fun. I think I took this quiz on facebook awhile back and got Carrie.

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  3. I watched the series but not the movies. Sadly, no time for that and to be truthful not much interest. If I were a character on the show, I believe it would be Samantha! LOL I'm not divulging any of my "why's" on that one ;) I did love how she grew at the end of the series as I did with Miranda. I was disappointed that Carrie or Charlotte didn't as much, but then that's kind of real life. Some people take those strides and some don't.

    Great post Jenn!

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  4. Excellent post, Jenn. I never got into the series, I don't recall why. You did a great job of analyzing the characters.

    I don't know which character I'd 'be', but based on your assessment of the types, I'd "like" to be Carrie--independent, comfortable in her own niche; and Miranda--The Crusader and the Nurturer. It would be fun to take that Facebook quiz Kasey talked of.

    Thanks for the insight!

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  5. Oh wow...I adored the series...watched every one on HBO and still watch the reruns..as well as both movies! God, Samantha had the best damn lines! I think I've been all of those four women at different times in my life. In highschool I was Carrie...during the early years of my first marriage, I was Charlotte...always bending, bending and putting the kids first. Towards the end of the marriage I became driven like Miranda. I still rely on her qualities now and then, but as I get older I'm turning into Samantha...not the sexuality part, but definitely the speaking her own mind.

    I hope I live as long as my mother has so I can tell everyone whatever I want and use my age as an excuse. If I had a dollar for everytime I've heard that woman say "I'm eighty-five years old...I can say whatever the hell I want to!" Of course this started around seventy and grew from there. LOL! My mom's a trip, y'all!

    Great blog, Jenn...as usual...a tough act to follow!
    Mmmwwaaa!
    Lori

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  6. I love how you broke down the characters! Great post!

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  7. Great post, Jenn! I really love the series as well. I have to say that I've been more like Carrie throughout my life; yet, the past few months I've become a little bit more of Samantha and Miranda. Now, I speak my mind more often and have become more assertive with my dreams and goals and definitely what I do and don't want in my personal life.

    I really enjoyed this post, Jenn! BRAVO!

    HUGS,
    JD :)

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  8. I love Sex and the City! I just picked up the YA book "The Carrie Diaries" to read. I can't wait to see what Carrie was like in high school!

    Also, I’m a new follower— wonderful blog! Stop by my blog and follow me too? :) http://rachelbrookswrites.blogspot.com/

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  9. Thanks everyone for your great comments! :)
    Hugs-

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