CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

FALL GUY OR GIRL



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HELPFUL TIP:

Using a trope or archetype helps readers quickly understand a character, but stopping there creates a weak and predictable figure. Instead, add depth with a unique backstory, emotional wounds, and related fears and flaws. You can also break expectations with an unusual job, relationship, secret, or positive trait.
DESCRIPTION:
This scapegoat takes the fall for someone else's wrongdoing. They may be unfairly blamed for one heinous act or they could become the designated scapegoat for anything that goes wrong. The fall guy or girl is often an easy target and may be viewed as gullible, naïve, or simple. While some of these characters sacrifice themselves willingly, for clarity, we've chosen to focus this entry on unwilling scapegoats.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Snowball (Animal Farm), Lennie (Of Mice and Men), Richard Kimble (The Fugitive)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
CALM, COURAGEOUS, EMPATHETIC, GENEROUS, GENTLE, HONEST, HONORABLE, HUMBLE, INNOCENT, INSPIRATIONAL, JUST, KIND, LOYAL, MERCIFUL, OPTIMISTIC, PATIENT, PROTECTIVE, SIMPLE, TRUSTING, UNSELFISH

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
FOOLISH, GULLIBLE, IMPULSIVE, IRRESPONSIBLE, MARTYR, NEEDY, RECKLESS, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SUBSERVIENT, TIMID, UNINTELLIGENT, WEAK-WILLED

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Thinking of others before themselves
Being morally upright
Having good intentions
Being willing to sacrifice themselves for a cause
Living simply; not needing a lot of money or resources
Seeing the best in others
Always being willing to help
Being able to laugh at themselves
Being easy to get along with
Having a strong sense of justice
Not wanting to be the center of attention
Avoiding conflict and confrontation
Struggling to enforce personal boundaries
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SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
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INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
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CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
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TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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