Gary Stu - Tumblr Posts
Your points are fair. However, in this instance at least, I am experimenting with a different definition of Mary Sue. So I will respectfully agree with your interpretation of your very valid points to a certain extent only. I hope that you won't take offense for I mean none.
I believe that the ultimate nature of stories and narratives would inevitably favor the Main Characters, or the Protagonists. The classic mythologies are a good example of this, where the gods would intervene to assist the Hero in their quest.
An example of this would be Achilles. By the common definition of Mary Sue, Achilles would be a Mary Sue. Invincible, gets help from the gods through the story, and he is ultimately proven right over his rival, Agamemnon through the plot working in Achilles's favor.
There is an overlap between a naturally developing Main Character and Mary Sue which is better differentiated when one looks at the issue of Mary Sue as a narrative trope rather than a character trope.
Going back to the Achilles example. Achilles does not come across as a Mary Sue because Achilles is a part of a larger world that the Illiad builds throughout the narrative. Achilles does not overshadow the stories of the other characters through the Illiad's narrative, which allows the audience to understand Achilles not just as a part of the world, but also as APART from the world. Since he is partly divine due to his birth.
Looking at RWBY, I believe that Ruby Rose is a victim of Ozpin's issues that extends centuries before the start of RWBY proper. Ruby is not allowed to have her own story because she has to solve Ozpin's problems. Which is why Ruby's story gets twisted up not to make her 'always right', but to carry Ozpin's poorly written story onward.
Ruby is the main character, but this is not her story. Which I believe is the fundamental issue of RWBY and can only be addressed when a different definition of 'Mary Sue' is used to identify the true culprit of the poor writing. So to speak.
Is Ruby Rose (RWBY) a Mary Sue?
Definition of Mary Sue;
In an earlier post, I described the 'Mary Sue' as a narrative trope instead of a character archetype. A 'Mary Sue' occurs when a character's story overshadows the stories of the other characters.
Example;
Harry Potter in the last four books is a Mary Sue mostly because everything after book four is somehow tied to Harry, no matter how obscure or far removed. As a result, the story shrinks around Harry and the world of Magic becomes less interesting the more it focuses on Harry and his conflict with Voldemort.
Is Ruby is Mary Sue?
Based on my definition, no. She is just a badly written character. While all Mary Sues are badly written, not all badly written characters are Mary Sues.
Ozpin is more of the Mary Sue in RWBY. This is because most of RWBY's plot centers around Ozpin's mistakes and his relationships. Especially with Salem.
Therefore, Ruby Rose is not a Mary Sue.
Write a short story where the protagonist clearly knows they have a plot shield. And they abuse it to the fullest.
NEW OC DU NAWT STEELL!!!1111!!❤️⛓️🖤💫🌈 Redrew this old boy who I created in like 2016/2017. His name's Darkfyre and he was a Warriors OC until kinda going off the rails on a fantasy adventure where he gained wings. Oh and he's a total mary sue of course. Brought him back for the funny and bc I'm still kinda attached to his silly ass.