The Native Rival: Difference between revisions

The [[Mighty Whitey]] has arrived in the village of the [[Magical Native American|Magical Native Americans]]s and is [[Going Native]]. Thanks to his [[The Chosen One|inherent specialness]], he quickly becomes an [[Instant Expert]] at all the natives' skills and traditions, and is in a fair way to winning the respect, and even adulation, of the natives. Oh, and the hand of [[The Chief's Daughter]] too. At this rate, he may even become [[Of the People]]. Is there anybody that ''doesn't'' love this guy?

That's where [['''The Native Rival]]''' comes in.

Almost always a [[Noble Savage]] (unless he's a Native American [[Jerk Jock]] instead), [['''The Native Rival]]''' has been born and raised in the ways of his people and is frequently their greatest warrior--untilwarrior—until the arrival of the [[Mighty Whitey]]. Expect him to be frustrated that his [[Hard Work Hardly Works]], and [[The Resenter|outright hostile]] to the [[Mighty Whitey]]. Part of his hostility is likely rooted in a [[Triang Relations|romantic rivalry]] over [[The Chief's Daughter]], who at best he'll be the [[Hopeless Suitor]] or [[Unlucky Childhood Friend]] to and at worst be her [[Disposable Fiance]], often via an [[Arranged Marriage]]. Alternatively, he may be the [[Nubile Savage|love interest]]'s [[My Sister Is Off-Limits|older brother]] or some other relation.

[['''The Native Rival]]''' is generally the last to accept the white man, if he ever does so. If not, he'll either attempt [[Murder the Hypotenuse|to kill]] or [[Turncoat|betray]] the whitey, or else [[The Plot Reaper|he will be killed himself]]. When he does accept the white man, this decision makes every remaining dissenter accept him as well.

* ''[[Farscape]]'' also did the [[Dances with Wolves]] [[In Space]] bit in one episode, complete with a native competitor for the hand of the chief's daughter. Averted because Crichton wanted absolutely nothing to do with the tribe, besides be polite neighbors, and the relationship with the tribal leader's daughter was completely one sided. Played straight because despite all of that, [[The Native Rival]]'s Mother was using him to motivate her son to greatness (Through jealous violence).

* Gender-flipped in ''[[Uglies]]'', with newcomer [[The Mole|Tally Youngblood]] as the [[Mighty Whitey]], David, [[The Chief's Daughter|The Leader's Son]] as the love interest, and Shay, Tally's old friend who had joined the Smokies earlier, as [[The Native Rival]]. When the situation repeats itself in ''[[Pretties]]'', with a new group and love interest, it's small wonder Shay turns evil.