Not on the first point though, that was a bad moment in characterization. Of corse, we always have Galbatorix mind control to worry about, so perhaps he was not as bloodthirsty as it seemed. Still, I do see your point and took issue with Eragon as a character because of which.

However, on the nuclear physics problem, I do have to take issue. While I do not remember the passage you are referring to, I do know there is only one way this could be possible, and that's magic. This is a fantasy world of magic, and once you get magic into the fray, just about anything is possible. Is it a cheap excuse? Probably, however that is how it is. The elves have shown a clear understanding of several scientific principals because they were able to study it using magic, literally feeling how things worked. Add extra long life and a mind that can turn people insane by probing it, and you have a people who can know allot with very little technology.

Further, and this is a gripe about bad physics complainers in general, this is a brand new world. This is a completely different universe, with different rules, different systems. All of our science and physics, which are all theories for a reason might I add, are based off observations from our planet in our solar system in our galaxy, of which is one in billions at least. While fictional works set in other universes have the added bonus of having the possibility of completely different physics rules than our own, what is to say a different planet in a different solar system, perhaps in a whole other galaxy works in a way we currently think is impossible.

Now, this is not to say writers necessarily have a Get Out of Physics Free card, as they have to work with the rules of their world. I don't care if they have blatantly horrible science that make all scientists everywhere turn in their beds, as long as they stick to their world's rules. If your magic has a system to work with, then you break the rules later for 'cool factor' or Dues ex Machina, I have an issue with that. Because what I care about is a good story, something that entertains me or gets me to think in some way. Dues ex Machina is not good storytelling, but science is not necessary for good storytelling. If it is, then clearly everybody who wants to write any form of novel needs to have studied all of the history and science that exists to make sure it is accurate, and all sorts of great fantasy stories would not be nearly as entertaining as they are.

There, my rant is finished. It's just been a problem of mine for a while, and I felt I had to share my feelings on it.

Wow. That is...uh. Wow.

... you know it's worth reading.

hS

In popular stories, people who don't like the character with a Chosen One archetype who learns magic and other stuff are apt to use Gary Stu as an insult.

Maybe this isn't what you mean, but that line seems to say that the only possible reason for people to think Eragon is a Gary Stu is that they just hate the whole Hero's Journey thing. This is problematic to me for a couple of reasons.

First, why did all of these people pick up the book in the first place if they hate the archetype so much? It's pretty obvious pretty quickly that Eragon is a Fated Hero with a Quest of Destiny, IMO.

Second, this is a very widely used archetype we're talking about, appearing in such monumental works as the original Star Wars trilogy, The Matrix, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. Many of us here are fans of these things, and yet dislike Eragon. Are these people, personally, insulting a character for no good reason just because they dislike his whole character archetype, or is it possible that they have logical reasons backed up with facts about his particular characterization and story? Perhaps a sort of "list of charges" against him, if you will?

Now, it's entirely possible that some people have hurled insults at Eragon just to be trolls or hipsters or whatever and could never have enjoyed that type of story, let alone this one in particular, but you seem to have tarred everyone who thinks he's a Stu with one haterbrush. Just sayin', you might want to think that allegation over a little bit.

~Neshomeh

countered by more powerful nemeses the whole way through, I mean.

Most Sues don't claim to be the ultimate power in the universe etc etc. Most of them pay lip service to the idea that they're weak, or at least weaker than certain others.

But often it isn't true. If I claim to be only a beginner at magic, but then 'amazingly' my newbie Fireball of Divine Sparkliness catches the Big Bad off-guard and blows him to shreds... was I really weak to start with, or just saying I was?

Once, perhaps, could be actual luck. But when a character goes up against 'more powerful' enemies repeatedly and wins every time (or every time it matters)... well, you have to wonder.

hS, Level VI caster of Fireballs of Divine Sparkliness

Has anyone else read his Maximum Ride sporking? Maximum Ride is a series about a group of avian/human hybrids that sounds interesting when you first hear about it, but then when you read it you realize it's a bunch of plotholes held together by some snark. And Kippur points that out hilariously.

... a conflict of definitions.

However, Sues aren't all bad...When written well

I'm aware that in some circles, the term 'Mary-Sue' is used almost as a synonym for 'original female character'. That's fine - people are allowed to define words however they want.

However, the PPC definition strongly implies (although it doesn't appear to actually state) that a Mary-Sue - when the PPC-at-large talks about them - is first and foremost a badly-written character.

To avoid killing a real character, the assassination must be justified with charges. Some characters may only be borderline Sues, with the potential to become real people with a bit of outside help.

Thus, as a fact of definition, a Mary-Sue is badly written. While there is a comment to this effect on the linked Wiki page:

It is important to note that this does not automatically mean that a Mary Sue character can't be enjoyable to read about if written well, but there's the rub: it is extremely difficult to write about this character type in a way that creates an entertaining story.

... I understand this to mostly be discussing parodies of various stripes. The self-aware Sues, the ones the canons are aware of, the ones who get nitpicked or the ones who lose - these are fun to read about, because they're being written as a Mary-Sue, not as an attempt to make a wonderful character.

hS