nemmiril
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Arrogant, a himbo, or just autistic? An in-depth analysis of Alex (Stardew Valley) by nemmiril
Fandoms: Stardew Valley (Video Game)
24 Nov 2024
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Summary
Alex is a marriable non-player character from the video game Stardew Valley. He is characterised by a strong love for the fictional sport gridball (similar to American or gridiron football) and a brazen, arrogant attitude. The latter quality, combined with player-directed misogyny, make Alex a divisive character, with players of the game tending to view him in extreme positivity or negativity. However, some of this behaviour falls in line with symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder, including deficits in social-emotional reciprocity, highly restricted, fixated interests, and more rigid thinking. Additionally, given the context of Alex’s life – parental abuse, death, and a patriarchal, homophobic upbringing – it could also be suggested that these traits have emerged as a result of repeated trauma and a rural upbringing. Academic analyses of Stardew Valley and its characters are yet to emerge in the fields of English and psychology, leaving a large gap in popular culture literature. Thus, this essay attempts to provide a unique analysis on Alex’s character through a psychological lens, with considerations for a variety of pathologies including ASD and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.