CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

GRANDE DAME



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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:
An elderly socialite with considerable fame, fortune, and prestige.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Pride and Prejudice), Miss Havisham (Great Expectations), Olenna Tyrell (A Song of Ice and Fire), Moira Rose (Schitt's Creek), Violet Crawley (Downton Abbey)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
AMBITIOUS, BOLD, CONFIDENT, DECISIVE, EFFICIENT, LOYAL, OBSERVANT, PERSISTENT, PERSUASIVE, PROPER, PROTECTIVE, QUIRKY, RESOURCEFUL, RESPONSIBLE, SENSIBLE, SENTIMENTAL, SOPHISTICATED, SPUNKY, TRADITIONAL, WISE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ABRASIVE, CATTY, CONTROLLING, EXTRAVAGANT, FUSSY, GOSSIPY, HAUGHTY, HUMORLESS, INFLEXIBLE, JUDGMENTAL, KNOW-IT-ALL, MANIPULATIVE, MARTYR, MELODRAMATIC, NEEDY, OVERSENSITIVE, POSSESSIVE, PUSHY, SELF-INDULGENT, TEMPERAMENTAL

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being accustomed to living well and having fine things
Honoring traditions
Freely speaking her mind
Being traditionally minded
Having a strong sense of family
Expecting things to be done properly—i.e. the way she's always done them
Believing she's entitled to special recognition and treatment
Reveling in being the center of attention
Being charitable and socially aware when doing so benefits the family
Arriving fashionably late to events
Having high expectations of others
Enjoying being the first person to have news about someone else
Reminiscing about the good old days
Expecting to be served and taken care of, but demanding respect
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FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
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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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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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