What the Hell, Hero?: Difference between revisions

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{{trope}}
{{trope}}
[[File:Sarda_What_The_Hell.png|link=Eight Bit Theater (Webcomic)|frame|Except [[Token Good Teammate|Fighter]]. [[Guilt By Association Gag|He's a casualty.]]]]
[[File:Sarda_What_The_Hell.png|link=8-Bit Theater (Webcomic)|frame|Except [[Token Good Teammate|Fighter]]. [[Guilt By Association Gag|He's a casualty.]]]]


When characters [[In Universe]] call out one of the heroes for doing something clearly unheroic, if not outright heinous.
When characters [[In Universe]] call out one of the heroes for doing something clearly unheroic, if not outright heinous.


Occasionally, an author will drop some [[Black and Gray Morality|gr]][[Grey and Gray Morality|ay]] into his otherwise flawlessly good guy hero... and have others ''notice.'' This can add guilt and remorse to a character as they [[Kick the Morality Pet|feel shame for their evil actions]], and legitimately have to fight to [[Clear My Name|restore their name]], [[Must Make Amends|undo the harm]], or simply live with the guilt and shame of it. In this case, you can expect to hear some variation of "Haven't you done enough already?" More extremely, it can be the first step towards [[Anti Hero]]-dom or a full-blown [[Face Heel Turn]]. A [[Redemption Quest]] is usually considered the most noble or morally good way to respond to this.
Occasionally, an author will drop some [[Black and Gray Morality|gr]][[Grey and Gray Morality|ay]] into his otherwise flawlessly good guy hero... and have others ''notice.'' This can add guilt and remorse to a character as they [[Kick the Morality Pet|feel shame for their evil actions]], and legitimately have to fight to [[Clear My Name|restore their name]], [[Must Make Amends|undo the harm]], or simply live with the guilt and shame of it. In this case, you can expect to hear some variation of "Haven't you done enough already?" More extremely, it can be the first step towards [[Anti-Hero]]-dom or a full-blown [[Face Heel Turn]]. A [[Redemption Quest]] is usually considered the most noble or morally good way to respond to this.


It shows the fans that the author knows their hero did wrong, thereby averting [[Moral Dissonance]].
It shows the fans that the author knows their hero did wrong, thereby averting [[Moral Dissonance]].


The opposite of [[Protagonist Centered Morality]]; contrast also [[Designated Hero]] and [[Hero Insurance]]. See also [[What Is Evil]] and [[Not So Different]] for when a ''villain'' is the one pointing this out, or acting as though there's something to point out to mess with the hero. (A variation is when the villain will ''praise'' the hero, which [[Your Approval Fills Me With Shame|the hero will find profoundly humiliating]].)
The opposite of [[Protagonist-Centered Morality]]; contrast also [[Designated Hero]] and [[Hero Insurance]]. See also [[What Is Evil?]] and [[Not So Different]] for when a ''villain'' is the one pointing this out, or acting as though there's something to point out to mess with the hero. (A variation is when the villain will ''praise'' the hero, which [[Your Approval Fills Me With Shame|the hero will find profoundly humiliating]].)


Almost never applies to those [[Powers That Be]] who have an [[Omniscient Morality License]], although characters who [[Rage Against the Heavens]] might attempt it. Likewise, villains tend to be immune to this thanks to their [[It's All About Me]] attitude (or, at best, [[Moral Myopia]]), though a [[Heel Realization]] might clue them in, perhaps leading to a [[Villainous BSOD]]. (Then again, this trope doesn't really apply to [[For the Evulz|villains who aren't even]] ''[[For the Evulz|trying]]'' [[For the Evulz|to do anything decent for the world in the first place]].) Those pesky [[Trickster Mentor|Trickster Mentors]] may also find themselves on the receiving end of [[Rage Against the Mentor]].
Almost never applies to those [[Powers That Be]] who have an [[Omniscient Morality License]], although characters who [[Rage Against the Heavens]] might attempt it. Likewise, villains tend to be immune to this thanks to their [[It's All About Me]] attitude (or, at best, [[Moral Myopia]]), though a [[Heel Realization]] might clue them in, perhaps leading to a [[Villainous BSOD]]. (Then again, this trope doesn't really apply to [[For the Evulz|villains who aren't even]] ''[[For the Evulz|trying]]'' [[For the Evulz|to do anything decent for the world in the first place]].) Those pesky [[Trickster Mentor|Trickster Mentors]] may also find themselves on the receiving end of [[Rage Against the Mentor]].


Some video games offer dialogue trees or something similar that might allow your character to call someone out for their horrible behaviour, which can be immensely satisfying. If your character is the one being called out, it's [[What the Hell, Player?]] [[My God, What Have I Done?]] may be a self-inflicted version. Can come right off the heels of a [[Sadistic Choice]] foisted on the player in a video game. The hero may attempt to invoke [[I Did What I Had to Do]] as his justification, though this does not always succeed. Of course, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, and one should beware of his own [[Moral Myopia]] leading to [[The Complainer Is Always Wrong]]. Results may vary against the [[Sociopathic Hero]] or [[The Unfettered]]; beware you don't get a [[Shut Up Kirk]] or [[Hannibal Lecture]] in response.
Some video games offer dialogue trees or something similar that might allow your character to call someone out for their horrible behaviour, which can be immensely satisfying. If your character is the one being called out, it's [[What the Hell, Player?]] [[My God, What Have I Done?]] may be a self-inflicted version. Can come right off the heels of a [[Sadistic Choice]] foisted on the player in a video game. The hero may attempt to invoke [[I Did What I Had to Do]] as his justification, though this does not always succeed. Of course, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, and one should beware of his own [[Moral Myopia]] leading to [[The Complainer Is Always Wrong]]. Results may vary against the [[Sociopathic Hero]] or [[The Unfettered]]; beware you don't get a [[Shut Up, Kirk]] or [[Hannibal Lecture]] in response.


'''Important note''': This article is ''exclusively'' about scenes where the hero is called on his morally ambiguous or directly evil actions by characters ''in the story''. '''If the [[Designated Hero]] is a [[Jerkass]] (or worse), but no one calls him on it in the series, then take your example to [[Moral Dissonance]] or [[Designated Hero]].'''
'''Important note''': This article is ''exclusively'' about scenes where the hero is called on his morally ambiguous or directly evil actions by characters ''in the story''. '''If the [[Designated Hero]] is a [[Jerkass]] (or worse), but no one calls him on it in the series, then take your example to [[Moral Dissonance]] or [[Designated Hero]].'''
{{examples|Examples}}
{{examples}}




* [[What the Hell Hero/Anime And Manga|Anime And Manga]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Anime And Manga|Anime And Manga]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Comic Books|Comic Books]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Comic Books|Comic Books]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Fanfic|Fanfic]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Fanfic|Fanfic]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Film|Film]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Film|Film]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Literature|Literature]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Literature|Literature]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Live Action TV|Live Action TV]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Live Action TV|Live Action TV]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Mythology And Religion|Mythology And Religion]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Mythology And Religion|Mythology And Religion]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Tabletop Games|Tabletop Games]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Tabletop Games|Tabletop Games]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Theatre|Theatre]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Theatre|Theatre]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Video Games|Video Games]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Video Games|Video Games]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Webcomics|Webcomics]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Webcomics|Webcomics]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Web Original|Web Original]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Web Original|Web Original]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Western Animation|Western Animation]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Western Animation|Western Animation]]
* [[What the Hell Hero/Real Life|Real Life]]
* [[What the Hell, Hero?/Real Life|Real Life]]


{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 07:08, 9 January 2014

Except Fighter. He's a casualty.

When characters In Universe call out one of the heroes for doing something clearly unheroic, if not outright heinous.

Occasionally, an author will drop some gray into his otherwise flawlessly good guy hero... and have others notice. This can add guilt and remorse to a character as they feel shame for their evil actions, and legitimately have to fight to restore their name, undo the harm, or simply live with the guilt and shame of it. In this case, you can expect to hear some variation of "Haven't you done enough already?" More extremely, it can be the first step towards Anti-Hero-dom or a full-blown Face Heel Turn. A Redemption Quest is usually considered the most noble or morally good way to respond to this.

It shows the fans that the author knows their hero did wrong, thereby averting Moral Dissonance.

The opposite of Protagonist-Centered Morality; contrast also Designated Hero and Hero Insurance. See also What Is Evil? and Not So Different for when a villain is the one pointing this out, or acting as though there's something to point out to mess with the hero. (A variation is when the villain will praise the hero, which the hero will find profoundly humiliating.)

Almost never applies to those Powers That Be who have an Omniscient Morality License, although characters who Rage Against the Heavens might attempt it. Likewise, villains tend to be immune to this thanks to their It's All About Me attitude (or, at best, Moral Myopia), though a Heel Realization might clue them in, perhaps leading to a Villainous BSOD. (Then again, this trope doesn't really apply to villains who aren't even trying to do anything decent for the world in the first place.) Those pesky Trickster Mentors may also find themselves on the receiving end of Rage Against the Mentor.

Some video games offer dialogue trees or something similar that might allow your character to call someone out for their horrible behaviour, which can be immensely satisfying. If your character is the one being called out, it's What the Hell, Player? My God, What Have I Done? may be a self-inflicted version. Can come right off the heels of a Sadistic Choice foisted on the player in a video game. The hero may attempt to invoke I Did What I Had to Do as his justification, though this does not always succeed. Of course, those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones, and one should beware of his own Moral Myopia leading to The Complainer Is Always Wrong. Results may vary against the Sociopathic Hero or The Unfettered; beware you don't get a Shut Up, Kirk or Hannibal Lecture in response.

Important note: This article is exclusively about scenes where the hero is called on his morally ambiguous or directly evil actions by characters in the story. If the Designated Hero is a Jerkass (or worse), but no one calls him on it in the series, then take your example to Moral Dissonance or Designated Hero.

Examples of What the Hell, Hero? include:


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