May pops off wedding season, so what better time to talk about marriage tropes?
I recently finished watching Pursuit of Jade and Love in the Clouds–two A+ CDramas that I highly recommend (Love in the Clouds if you prefer fantasy, Pursuit of Jade if you lean more toward historic military fiction.) Anyway, they both have “marriage of convenience” at the heart of the romance, so it got me thinking about what makes this trope–as well as other marriage tropes–work so well.
In my opinion, the difference between “arranged marriage” and “marriage of convenience” is who began the trope.
An arranged marriage is typically arranged by someone else and is against the characters’ will/wishes (such as when parents from two families arrange their children’s union for familial/society benefit), whereas a marriage of convenience is the main couple coming to a mutually beneficial decision; they are the ones in charge.
In both tropes–for peak drama purposes–neither characters have any intention to actually fall in love. The tension comes from unexpected love growing in the last relationship they thought would actually mean something.
Personally? I love marriage of convenience because the main characters are more responsible, which adds a delicious little layer to the drama. For instance, if one character enters an arranged union with the intention to betray the other, the later excuse to dismiss the behavior can easily land on the orchestrator of the relationship. But if the characters themselves are who suggest the relationship, that betrayal hits so much deeper (and makes it so much harder for redemption).
To me, marriage of convenience works best when both characters need it for a specific reason, but different reasons. (Ex/ one for reputation, another to prevent an unwanted marriage to someone else; someone needing to retain property/title, the other benefitting from a new identity). Even better if the reasons work against each other in a way that will HURT when revealed (one trusting an uneasy political alliance, the other trying to infiltrate/steal).
Additional tension comes from characters being wary of growing feelings, not only because of the “fake” relationship, but because they’ve been hurt before. Ex/ manipulated before, which makes love difficult (& even more painful when it happens again).
Other points of tension to consider: Is the marriage legit? Are their true identities known? Do they have a divorce plan going in? Who would want to challenge the union? Who would support it? Why?
At what point, does convenience start to feel…inconvenient 😉
If you are writing a marriage trope, I’m going to call for one absolutely necessary scene: “That’s my wife” must be declared passionately & in front of everyone 🤭
Thoughts? I’d love to hear them!👇👇 You can even just fangirl with me about Pursuit of Jade & Love in the Clouds.
~SAT
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Shannon, I am now having 2 email addresses. In a few months, I will have only 1. I will be using Violet Ty on my new email address but I am still Josie of josiesvoice ,one of your regular followers.
Thank you so much for letting me know, Josie! I definitely would’ve worried about you and wondered where you went. ❤ Hope all is well!
~SAT
No worrys at all, Shannon! The reason for the change is that I am moving to the US in a few months to be with family. I will be in PA.
Safe travels! I hope your move goes smoothly. Fun fact: I was born in Pennsylvania! I actually still have family there. 🙂
~SAT
Great! Pittsburgh!
One misconception I think many people have about arranged marriages is that they often could not be forced in the way people imagine. Sure, there’s the emotional barrier of defying your parents’ wishes, but in real history, the couple could say no. And the family would have to work it out among them.
But, I know, many people also have that kink about women being forced into sex and they think arranged marriages are spicy.
With a marriage of convenience, I can see all the interesting twists you mention. The fact that the couple enter into the marriage of their own will is a major factor.
Good points all around! There are definitely differences between what happens in real life and in history compared to what happens in fiction. Most arranged marriages I see in fiction are kings/queens, too. It would be nice to see more variety. It would add more layers to the trope. I’m sure it’s already out there! I’ll just haven’t stumbled across it yet.
~SAT
I’m currently watching Pursuit of Jade, I love it so far! It’s so fun and I love the dynamic between the main couple. I love the marriage of convenience trope too!
They are so cute! I love how the show really gives us time to enjoy them together before all the drama sets in. Between Pursuit of Jade and Love in the Clouds, I have definitely realized I want more marriage of convenience in stories! It’s such a fun dynamic.
~SAT