Dying Like Animals/Analysis: Difference between revisions

The breakdown of these folks is almost [[An Aesop]] in itself:

 

* '''[[Muggles|Bats]]:''' ''"Nothing's wrong."'' Bats are so blind that ''nothing'' can pierce their [[Weirdness Censor|self-imposed]] [[Masquerade]]. No proof is strong enough to reveal the truth of the threat. Even if the threat were to expose themselves with a neat Power Point presentation about their plan, Bats would just [[Easily-Conquered World|ask where the cookies are]]. They'll take one look at the growing horde of evil [[Mooks]] and say that they're nothing more than a bunch of dim-witted pranksters, or—if the [[Mooks]] in question are ''very'' [[Obviously Evil]]—they may be simply [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer|"a gang]][[Psycho Serum|on PCP"]]. Comes from the phrase "Blind as a bat".

* '''[[While Rome Burns|Butterflies]]:''' ''"Let's live like there's no tomorrow!"'' These party animals refuse to take action in the face of imminent disaster, preferring to keep playing around [[While Rome Burns]]. Having abandoned the notion of self-preservation, Butterflies resolve to enjoy the fun while they're still alive and kicking.

* '''[[Made of Iron|Turtles]]:''' ''"We can outlast 'em easy from here."'' Similar to Ostriches, except that Turtles know that the enemy will still be after them once they go into hiding. However, they are confident that their infrastructures will hold and will defend them from the threat. It was always there, so they don't think it's their efforts that are going to save them as the Wolves below think. Also, it's their own safety measures they've inherited, not those put in place by the government. If it were the government, that would make them Sheep. Still, they underestimate [[The Virus]] and its capacity for getting to them. Comes from the idea that if a turtle hides inside the shell, he can survive being prey to a crocodile (but not a shark...).

 

* '''[[Leeroy Jenkins|Boars]]:''' ''"Come on, guys, '''we''' can take 'em! Let's get out the [[Torches and Pitchforks]] and we'll finish them off in a matter of minutes!"'' These are the brave, foolhardy souls who ''insist'' on [[Martyr Without a Cause|sacrificing themselves]] for the greater good, even when they don't actually ''[[Senseless Sacrifice|need]]'' to, much less help. Their courage may be admirable, but it usually causes them to get in the way of the ''competent'' heroes. Not to mention that it's hard to think rationally about how to defeat a [[Big Bad]] when you have an army of Boars squealing for his blood. Worse still is when the [[Zombie Apocalypse]] kills off the entire army and promptly turns all of them against the heroes as well.

* '''[[Dirty Coward|Chickens]]:''' ''"Let's get out of here before it's too late!"'' Chickens' reaction to the mounting disaster is to try to put as much distance between them and it as they can. Chickens are often as selfish as Wolves, concerned only with their own safety and not with helping others escape. Their escape attempts might fail disastrously, and if they ''do'' reach their intended destination, they might find that the disaster got there first. Comes from the slang term "chicken" for a cowardly person.

* '''[[Crazy Survivalist|Wolves]]:''' ''"I said for years they'd come. Now they're here! What? Get your own shelter! Wait, you're one of '''them!'''"'' Wolves are determined survivors. They not only heeded the [[Agent Mulder]]'s crazy ramblings, but also took them as gospel and [[Crazy Prepared|prepared for the worst]]. Problem is, they're so paranoid and militant that they're likely to see any other survivors as competition and attack them or organize with other Wolves into formidable and hostile packs. They usually have something the Heroes need, but are nearly impossible to persuade to help voluntarily. Ironically, these guys are usually [[Sorting Algorithm of Mortality|among the first to go]] [[Death By Pragmatism|in any survival-horror situation]].

 

* '''[[Magnificent Bastard|Foxes]]:''' ''"Both sides are idiots! What an excellent opportunity!"'' Foxes are somewhat akin to [[Honest John's Dealership|Weasels]] in seeing the opportunities around. However, not only are they unafraid of the villains, but they are also savvy and quick enough to play both sides against each other, morality and ideology be damned. A Fox relies on his wits, his speed, and his charm to get him through, no matter which side wins, and if neither does, well, the Fox will still be on his feet after the dust settles. Unlike most of the others, Foxes can actually be quite useful or even helpful, ''if'' you can turn them to your side. Or if the villain betrays them. Or if you can persuade them there's more profit in your side winning. Basically, when in a capital-D Disaster, Foxes are your best bet. At least they're ''smart''. Comes from the phrase "clever like a fox".

* '''[[Honest John's Dealership|Weasels]]:''' ''"Get your anti-monster spray!"'' Weasels are just as scared as [[Apathetic Citizens|Mice]], but they use the disaster to their benefit. They're the ones selling a gallon of bottled water for $50, cheap "protection from evil" medallions, rainmaking abilities, etc. Comes from the slang term "weasel" for a shifty person.

 

== Sell Outs ==

* '''[[Black Shirt|Jackals]]:''' ''"Finally, we have a strong leader ready to put those malcontents in their places! [[Mooks|Where do I sign up?]]"'' Jackals are like Lemmings and Snakes: they eagerly collaborate with the villain because they think his campaign of terror and genocide are ''just causes''. Whether it's out of hate, fanaticism, or ignorance, they prefer the villain's despotism to a more benevolent regime. Usually, they're harmless once the villain is dethroned: their prejudice comes out only when the bad guys are in power.

* '''[[Les Collaborateurs|Snakes]]:''' ''"Fight them? Why would I want to do that when they have '''so much''' to offer?"'' Snakes are a special case: they are just as able as the hero of seeing through the villains' ruse... and wholeheartedly supporting him. Whether it's for [[The Dark Side|power]], [[Money Tropes|riches]], or [[For the Evulz|kicks]], Snakes will join the biggest alpha predator's pack against the hero and help enslave their weaker fellows. In war movies, Snakes are the opposite of [[La Résistance]].

 

== Other ==

* '''[[Driven to Suicide|Scorpions]]:''' ''"I'm doomed. Better to end it before they torture me to death."'' These characters are usually found (and quickly die) in [[Crapsack World]] settings, or early in some horror movies as [[Foreshadowing|an indication that things will not]] [[Downer Ending|end well for the protagonist]]. Scorpions are not suicidal out of depression or glamorizing death. They've discovered the world, or even just them, is slated for utter destruction or a fate worse than death, or they may have done it out of insanity from discovering [[These Are Things Man Was Not Meant to Know|something man was not meant to know]]. In short, they choose to die out of fear for a [[Fate Worse Than Death]]. Comes from the myth that scorpions will sting themselves to death when surrounded by fire.

* '''[[Mix-and-Match Critters|Chimeras]]:''' ''"I know he's evil, but he just wants to [[Utopia Justifies the Means|make the world better]]. Maybe if we hand over the heroes he'll leave us be."'' Characters that blend two or more animals of different groups.

 

{{reflist}}