What is Face Slapping?
In fiction face slapping is about getting revenge for past wrongs. There may be some actual physical slapping involved but the revenge is the most important thing. The humiliation of the person or group that once wronged the main character is key.
The face slapping trope is tied to Asian culture and is popular in web novels, light novels, mangas, etc. Pick a random web novel from any genre and you’re likely to find someone bullying the main character while they’re still weak and unable to protect themselves. Later in the story once the hero gains power they’re finally able to fight back.
How The Face Slapping Trope Works
To set up a face slapping storyline you need two sides. One of which needs to have a relatively normal person trying to live their life. They need to be likable or at least relatable. They’re someone the audience can root for. On the opposing side there needs to be a “bad guy”. This person or group needs to be seen committing evil deeds against the main character, and it needs to be clear and inexcusable. It should be something that’s undeniably wrong.
For example, in the beginning of Pursuit of Jade Fan Changyu’s fiancee and his mother call off her engagement to Song Yan. Her parents had helped the Song family a lot, partly because they had wanted to be kind to a widow and her young son, but also because they viewed them as family due to the engagement between the two children. Yet, as soon as the girl’s parents die and there is no longer a way for them to benefit from a connection to the Fan family the Songs ruthlessly break the engagement.
The Songs choosing not to help Fan Changyu and her little sister in their time of need might be excused away as them simply being selfish. They did not want the burden of taking care of two additional people. However, their actions completely cross the line when the boy’s mother decides to take it a step further.
Not wanting to look like the ungrateful wretches they are they come up with an excuse to break the engagement. The woman starts and spreads a rumour saying that Fan Changyu is a jinx. The woman even recruits a neighbour to help spread the lie. In order to save her own face, or protect her reputation, she spreads rumors that could ruin Fan Changyu's future if taken seriously.
This is the kind of inexcusable behavior I’m talking about when I say that the misdeeds must be clear. It was completely unnecessary for Song Yan and his mother to behave that way. When characters like them pay for their actions later in the story the audience is unlikely to feel sorry for them and may feel a sense of justice if they’re punished for their past actions.
Why is Face Slapping so Popular?
The trope is easy to set up and can be used in any genre. Whether it’s a martial arts novel or a romance face slapping plots follow the main characters as they gain the wealth, social or political standing they need to humiliate or destroy their former tormentors. The term “face slapping” is linked to Asian novels but the idea of “bad guys” always getting their comeuppance is a global one. Most people are taught to believe in fairness so watching characters get the justice they deserve can be extremely satisfying to an audience.
The Downsides
The need to create obvious villains can lead to overly dramatic characters and plots which destroy all sense of logic and realism. Face slapping stories can also quickly become boring if not done right.
I’ve read web novels where each arc introduced a new rival who would run around acting ridiculous only to be easily ruined by the main character after a few chapters. It took no effort by the protagonist and was totally predictable. This is why I think that face slapping works better as a subplot or a minor part of the novel.
Have you ever read or watched a story with face slapping? Did you enjoy it?