Bad Boys Finish First: A Psychoanalysis of the Appeal of Bad Boy Characters to the Female Audience

Abstract

In modern romance, the bad boy character has taken the hearts of the female audience. As this archetype becomes more popular, it raises curiosity about the origin of this character and its allure. This research examines the historical origins of the bad boy character, how it has evolved to its current form, and the appeal to female audiences using a psychoanalytical lens. Three modern bad boy characters from popular books and movies are analyzed to determine how they fit the bad boy character type and how their behavior and actions charm women in the story and in real life.