Thursday 28 March 2013

The Many Faces of Xander Harris

Okay, let's get this series underway! But where do we start?

I have decided to split this series into two main sections: 1. Facets of Xander's character, behavior and portrayal and 2. fandom reactions, including meta discussions and fanfic.

Each post in the first section of the series will analyse one aspect (or, sometimes, group of aspects) of Xander's character or behavior in a variety of lights. A basic template would like something like this:


Topic of discussion for the post.

Examples throughout the show of this attitude (especially how (or if) it presents in Xander's six main female relationships - Buffy, Willow, Cordelia, Faith, Anya and Dawn). Including study of how the behavior is treated in-text. I will also bring up things many may say are "trivial" or "jokes". I will note if I believe a comment or action wasn't meant seriously but I don't believe that discounts sexist or otherwise discriminatory behavior.

Discussion of how attitude has/has not changed overtime.

Examination of real world implications.


I'd like to make a few other points clear. I will be disregarding comics, as I have not read them, I know many others have not read them, and I don't want canonical debates to spring up. Also: if the only criticism/defense of a character to be found is in a text created years after the main series I don't think if hold much weight.

I'm also not trying to condemn people who like Xander. It is okay to like problematic things. I happen to LOVE BtVS though I admit it is VERY problematic. I also like specific features or characters of BtVS that I see are particularly problematic. The point is to recognise the problematic elements.

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