The Love Triangle Trope isn’t Bad, it’s just Misunderstood
Confession time: I love the love triangle trope. The tension and drama whisk me away on an emotional rollercoaster, adding layers of complexity to a story that keeps me turning pages well into the night. While many readers love to hate on this trope, I believe it’s simply misunderstood. As someone who gravitates toward it in my books, films, and TV shows, I’ve definitely seen it go wrong—but when it’s done right, a love triangle creates a story that’s impossible to resist.
What is a Love Triangle?
A love triangle involves one person torn between two potential love interests—a tug-of-war of the protagonist’s heart as they struggle to determine which love is right for them, or which love they truly deserve.
Love triangles come in different forms:
* The unrequited love scenario, where one person’s feelings aren’t returned, but they’re still part of the equation.
* Mutual attraction, where all three parties are entangled in one way or another, leading to a more intense and heartbreaking decision.
* The classic setup, essentially a Love V—the protagonist (at the center of that V) has two equally enticing romantic interests, leaving readers guessing until the very end who they might choose.
Examples of Successful Love Triangles
One of my favorite love triangles in literature is in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Katniss has a soft spot for Gale, her steadfast companion from home, but then Peeta enters her universe as her fellow competitor who understands the trauma of the Games like no one else can. Gale and Peeta represent different aspects of Katniss’s life. While she may cling to Gale, wishing she could just be an ordinary girl from District 12, who she eventually becomes throughout the story is someone only Peeta could understand (and the fact that he’s got rizz and has had a thing for her for years only adds to that conflict). Coming to terms with what she endured is not easy, and neither is her decision—which keeps us engaged until the very end.
Another great example is One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The protagonist, Emma, is faced with an impossible choice when her husband (who was presumed dead) returns shortly before she plans to remarry. The love triangle here isn’t just about these two amazing men who love her and whom she loves—it’s about Emma’s journey of self-discovery. What version of herself does she want to carry forward into her future?
Sometimes, tropes fall into a classic setup, but it’s refreshing to find books or media that go beyond the expected, especially in response to how our society evolves. The love triangle trope was pushed to the forefront earlier this year when the movie Challengers came out. In it, Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor are entangled in a web of emotional and sexual desire for each other. It was a true love triangle (not just a Love V). I personally love seeing the love triangle done where those typical dynamics are altered, and we get diverse pairings that break away from traditional gender norms. This shift adds layers of complexity to the relationships, upping those emotional stakes even more.
Read the rest of this post on theresachristine.com!
What is a Love Triangle?
A love triangle involves one person torn between two potential love interests—a tug-of-war of the protagonist’s heart as they struggle to determine which love is right for them, or which love they truly deserve.
Love triangles come in different forms:
* The unrequited love scenario, where one person’s feelings aren’t returned, but they’re still part of the equation.
* Mutual attraction, where all three parties are entangled in one way or another, leading to a more intense and heartbreaking decision.
* The classic setup, essentially a Love V—the protagonist (at the center of that V) has two equally enticing romantic interests, leaving readers guessing until the very end who they might choose.
Examples of Successful Love Triangles
One of my favorite love triangles in literature is in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Katniss has a soft spot for Gale, her steadfast companion from home, but then Peeta enters her universe as her fellow competitor who understands the trauma of the Games like no one else can. Gale and Peeta represent different aspects of Katniss’s life. While she may cling to Gale, wishing she could just be an ordinary girl from District 12, who she eventually becomes throughout the story is someone only Peeta could understand (and the fact that he’s got rizz and has had a thing for her for years only adds to that conflict). Coming to terms with what she endured is not easy, and neither is her decision—which keeps us engaged until the very end.
Another great example is One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid. The protagonist, Emma, is faced with an impossible choice when her husband (who was presumed dead) returns shortly before she plans to remarry. The love triangle here isn’t just about these two amazing men who love her and whom she loves—it’s about Emma’s journey of self-discovery. What version of herself does she want to carry forward into her future?
Sometimes, tropes fall into a classic setup, but it’s refreshing to find books or media that go beyond the expected, especially in response to how our society evolves. The love triangle trope was pushed to the forefront earlier this year when the movie Challengers came out. In it, Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O'Connor are entangled in a web of emotional and sexual desire for each other. It was a true love triangle (not just a Love V). I personally love seeing the love triangle done where those typical dynamics are altered, and we get diverse pairings that break away from traditional gender norms. This shift adds layers of complexity to the relationships, upping those emotional stakes even more.
Read the rest of this post on theresachristine.com!
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