Marriage; a Convenient Trope

In the Marriage of Convenience trope, the hero and heroine enter into a marriage not out of love, but for practical, strategic, or urgent reasons. These reasons can vary widely but often include securing a fortune, fulfilling a last will, gaining a title, or even as a form of protection.

As the story progresses, this arrangement, initially built on convenience or necessity, leads to genuine feelings and deep emotional connections. The beauty of this trope lies in the journey from practicality to passion, where the characters gradually discover love and intimacy in a relationship that wasn't initially romantic.

This trope works wonderfully because it forces the characters into close proximity and creates a fertile ground for romantic tension, misunderstandings, and the gradual unveiling of deeper emotions. It's like watching a flower bloom - the relationship starts as something practical and slowly unfolds into something beautiful and heartfelt.

MOC is my favorite trope and I've studied it, written it, and broken it down into a formula. Here are seven elements of an MOC.

SEVEN ELEMENTS OF MOC

1.  The Reason for the Marriage : The reason must be compelling enough to justify the decision to marry, and it often reveals a lot about the characters' priorities and situations. These reasons can range from financial gain, social status, legal necessities, to safety. 

2.  Vows:  Despite the practicality of the situation, the act of making vows are like swearing an oath. It brings it out of pretend as they make their promise. They’re thinking about the REASONS and now they are reciting the PROMISE. (like a spell)

3. The Kiss: The first kiss can stir unexpected emotions, planting the seeds of future romance. Think about the 12 stages of Intimacy. Kissing is 7 out of 12. You’re more than halfway to a home run!

4.  Fun and Games/Falling in Love: During this phase, the characters start to see each other in a new light. It's filled with moments of levity, deeper understanding, and growing attraction, often happening during everyday activities or shared challenges.

5.  Mirror Moment: The characters realize their true feelings, often leading to internal conflict as they reconcile these emotions with the original, pragmatic reasons for their marriage.

6.  Dark Moment: The climax of external conflict, often where the initial arrangement is threatened or exposed, leading to a crisis. This moment tests the strength of the bond that has developed and often brings underlying conflicts to a head.

7.  Grand Gesture: In true romance fashion, this is where one or both characters make a significant, often public, declaration of their love. It's a moment of vulnerability and courage, demonstrating their commitment and the depth of their feelings.

When crafting your own MOC, you'll want to pay attention to the seven elements as well as the Character Dynamics and the Emotional Journey. 

​​Character Dynamics 

It's often characters  with contrasting personalities or backgrounds that are forced into intimate proximity and how this sets the stage for conflict and romance. So opposites attract, enemies to lovers, good girl bad boy or vice versa. 

Emotional Journey

This love story often follows a progression from reluctance or indifference to deep emotional connection and love. I want to break this down a little further: 

1.  Initial Reluctance or Indifference: The story typically begins with the characters entering the marriage with little to no romantic interest in each other. This could be due to a variety of reasons – pragmatism, desperation, or even disdain. The characters often see the marriage purely as a means to an end.

2.  Awkward Adjustment : Following the marriage, there's a phase where the characters adjust to their new life together. This period is ripe with awkward interactions, misunderstandings, and perhaps even conflict, as they navigate the complexities of sharing a life with someone they don't love romantically.

3.  Growing Acquaintance and Appreciation : Gradually, the characters begin to understand and appreciate each other. This could be through shared experiences, witnessing admirable qualities in the other person, or simply getting to know each other better. It’s important in this phase to show the characters seeing beyond their initial assumptions or prejudices.

4.  Emerging Feelings and Denial : As they grow closer, romantic feelings start to emerge. This phase is often marked by denial, as admitting these feelings would challenge the very foundation of their pragmatic marriage. The internal conflict here is crucial – it adds depth and realism to their emotional journey.

5.  Deepening Connection : Eventually, the characters can no longer deny their growing connection. This is often a tender phase, filled with moments of intimacy, vulnerability, and deepening emotional bonds. It’s key to show that their feelings are based on a genuine understanding and appreciation of each other.

6.  Conflict and Realization : Despite the deepening connection, there’s often a conflict or crisis that forces the characters to confront their feelings. This could be an external threat or an internal realization. It’s a pivotal moment where they must decide whether their relationship is just a convenient arrangement or something more.

7.  Acceptance and Commitment : Finally, the characters accept their feelings and commit to each other, not out of convenience, but out of love. This often involves overcoming obstacles or making sacrifices, underscoring the depth of their feelings.

Evolution of Trope

The evolution of the "marriage of convenience" trope from historical to contemporary romance reflects broader social and cultural changes, particularly in attitudes towards marriage, individual autonomy, and love. 

Historical Romance

In historical settings, marriages were often arranged for economic security, social standing, or political alliances. Romance was a secondary consideration, if considered at all. Typically, historical romances portrayed a power imbalance, with women often having less agency. Marriages of convenience were sometimes the only means for a woman to secure her future. These stories were grounded in the norms and values of their time, where duty and social obligations often superseded personal desires.

Contemporary Romance

In modern settings, while economic or social gains remain reasons for a marriage of convenience, the motivations have diversified. These include legal benefits, immigration issues, business arrangements, or even quirky bets and challenges. Contemporary stories often depict characters entering into these arrangements on more equal terms, reflecting modern ideals of gender equality and personal agency.

Popularity in Modern Society

Modern narratives use the trope to explore themes of self-discovery, personal growth, and the reevaluation of one’s priorities and desires. The trope mirrors the evolution of societal attitudes toward marriage and relationships. It challenges the traditional notion that romantic love is the only valid basis for marriage.

There’s a compelling fantasy element where a practical arrangement transforms into genuine love, appealing to the romantic ideal of finding love in unexpected places.

I think modern readers enjoy the escapism these stories offer while appreciating the more realistic portrayal of relationships and personal struggles.

Contemporary versions often incorporate relevant social issues, like immigration or LGBTQ+ rights, providing a platform for discussing these topics within a romantic framework.

The enduring appeal of the marriage of convenience trope in contemporary romance lies in its ability to adapt to changing societal values while maintaining the core fantasy of discovering love in unexpected circumstances. It resonates with readers who appreciate both the romantic escapism and the more grounded, realistic portrayal of relationships and individual struggles in the modern world.

The marriage of convenience trope has a rich history that mirrors societal views on marriage, love, and individual agency. From strategic alliances in ancient times to a tool for social critique and exploration of personal desires in modern literature, this trope has evolved significantly, always offering fresh insights into the human experience of love and relationships.