stock characters = a type of character in a narrative whom audiences recognize across many narratives or as part of a storytelling tradition or convention. these tropes can and often do overlap amongst each other
BIMBO: attractive but of poor intellect, often either portrayed as still having a sweet heart or being rude and arrogant
BLACK WIDOW: serial killer who pursues and kills their lovers, usually using poison
DAMSEL IN DISTRESS: a beautiful young woman who needs to be rescued from kidnapping or other danger by a brave hero
DARK LADY: a beautiful and aristocratic woman whose dark, mysterious, and inscrutable personality makes her alluring (eg. lady macbeth)
FARMER’S DAUGHTER: a desireable, wholesome, and naive young woman, usually with a light and nature connected spirit
FEMME FATALE: a beautiful and alluring woman who uses her cunning nature to honey trap other characters (usually men)
FINAL GIRL: the last woman still opposing the hostile force in horror media
GANGSTER’S / GUN’S MOLL: the attractive partner of a gangster, who either also fits into the “Bimbo” archetype or is in reality just as bad/worse than their criminal partner (eg. bonnie)
GIRL NEXT DOOR: a sweet, innocent, and humble woman with a wholesome demeanor, who lives in the same small town/area as the protagonist
HAWKSIAN WOMAN: a tough-talking woman who keeps up with her male counterpart’s wit and engages in verbal sparrings regularly
HOOKER WITH A HEART OF GOLD: a sex worker who embodies friendly, kind, generous virtues
INGÉNUE: endearingly innocent, viruous and candid; is often pursued by men with predatory intentions. differentiates from bimbo as she usually grows into the heroine role as she grows as a character
RIDE-OR-DIE-CHICK: a woman willing to support her partner and their risky lifestyle, and may take an active role as an accomplice
SMURFETTE: the lone female main character in a cast of otherwise all males
TOMBOY: a girl or young woman with boyish or manly behaviour and style
VAMP: a woman with dark hair, black clothing and a macabre sense of humor (gothic variant of femme fatale)
Disclaimer: a lot of stock characters are based on stereotypes and discriminatory depictions in media. these stock characters should not be seen as a guide and rather a type of media analysis and inspiration on how to subvert offensive tropes.