It was difficult to classify Tristan Thorn as either masculine or feminine according to the Bem Sex Role Inventory while watching the movie “Stardust”, but I believe he falls more to the masculine side of the spectrum despite possessing characteristics from both ends. He begins as a very gullible person, believing that Victoria (the woman he loves) is interested in him despite her obviously taking advantage of him. She gets him fired from his job in a shop for abusing his admiration of her and getting him to attend to her before other customers and carry her purchases. He continues to be affectionate towards her despite this, taking Victoria for a picnic and telling all the wonderful things that he would bring her from adventures around the world. He has many ambitions (a masculine characteristic) to travel the world in search of gold, diamonds, and to fight polar bears.
Despite this femininely connotated gullibility and affection, Tristan acts boldly and takes a stand against Humphrey (Victoria’s other suitor) and fights him with only a tree branch for a weapon – failing miserably to defend himself. Still, Tristan remains determined, discovering a fallen star to bring back to Victoria in order to win her heart. The star is a woman named Yvaine, who he captures and drags across the realm of fairies – during which he battles pirates, knights, and witches.
By the film’s end, Tristan is crowned the king of Stormhold and sits upon the throne for eighty years with Yvonne by his side, proving himself to be loyal (feminine) as well as a good leader (masculine).
Shared by: Riley Schwahn
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