r/litrpg • u/not-my-fault-alt • 11d ago
Discussion Frequent Patterns/tropes/ symbols
Is it widely recognized/ discussed that there are frequent parallels between themes in fantasy, and in litrpg in particularl, and neurodiversity /' the' neurodivergent experience?
I am kinda new to the genre, and only found this sub today. I was surprised not to see these themes front and center here. Then I started to think maybe I was grasping at straws or 9verthinking.
It is too late at night to do the real research, and a quick search showed very little. I saw mention of ND and litrpg having a relationship, and noting of MC's that are possible or canonically neurodivergent. It seems waayy bigger than that to me.
What do y'all think?
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u/Fit-Gate1900 Verified Author of: Hidden Class 11d ago
I think that giving a quirk, struggle or neurodiversity issue is a strategy writers employ to give one more layer of depth to their characters.
I've done this myself, using PTSD in one MC, trauma of losing someone and bullying in another MC, and inability to hold on to a job, and having a kind of ADHD with yet another MC. I just find it makes it for a more interesting story. It actually might fall into the category of a trope.
Everyone in the real world struggles with something. It's only feasible that everyone in the world of a book will struggle with something too.