Damsel in Distress (Chad’s Origin Story)

And the infrequency of the “Knight in Distress”

The “damsel in distress” narrative is the most common narrative motivator for male protagonists. A woman saving her “knight in distress” does not occur as often because it doesn’t fit within our notions of what women do & what men do to/for women (Curtis, 2015).

Perseus’ reward for saving Andromeda from the Kraken (the original Bowser) was that she married him (Lang, 1926). It’s possibly the oldest damsel in distress story in human civilization & where the ‘slay her dragon’ part of male socialization emerged in narrative form (Curtis, 2015).

Mario (Peach) & Link (Zelda)

Princess Peach Toadstool is captured by Bowser in 22 Mario games since 1988 (NES). A plumber named Mario rescues the royal princess & she rewards him with her love (Curtis, 2015).
In The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998), Link releases her from her crystal prison and is rewarded with her love.

2023 AD

Chad pays for expensive dinner with Piper at @up2youcafe. A fire breathing check arrives but Chad slays it with his credit card. Chad thinks he has now earned sex with Piper.

Now you know why Chad thinks like that 💁🏻‍♀️