CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

MOTHER FIGURE



Never struggle with Show-and-Tell again. Activate your free trial or subscribe to access the Character Type And Trope Thesaurus, or visit the Table of Contents to explore unlocked entries.

CHOOSE MY PLAN

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:
At their core, these caregivers are protective, nurturing, and caring. Though they may go overboard at times, their heart is usually in the right place.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Mrs. Weasley (the Harry Potter series), Marmee (Little Women), Moraine Damodred (Wheel of Time series), Aibilene Clark (The Help)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
AFFECTIONATE, CALM, CENTERED, CONFIDENT, DISCIPLINED, EMPATHETIC, FRIENDLY, GENEROUS, GENTLE, HOSPITABLE, INDUSTRIOUS, KIND, MERCIFUL, NURTURING, PERCEPTIVE, PERSUASIVE, PROTECTIVE, RESOURCEFUL, RESPONSIBLE, SUPPORTIVE, UNSELFISH, WHOLESOME, WISE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
CONTROLLING, INFLEXIBLE, NAGGING, NERVOUS, NOSY, OBSESSIVE, POSSESSIVE, PUSHY, WORRYWART

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Being supportive and loving
Nurturing and caring for others
Offering wisdom to the protagonist
Guiding people with her words and actions
Mentoring others
Seeing potential dangers and seeking to protect her charges
Knowing when something is bothering the protagonist
Anticipating the needs of other people
Putting others' needs before their own
Finding joy in serving others (cooking meals, doing laundry, driving someone to an appointment, etc.)
Acting as a peacemaker when loved ones aren't getting along
Being a pillar of strength for the people who rely on her
Being deeply intuitive
...

FEARS THAT MIGHT LIMIT THE CHARACTER:
...

SITUATIONS THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM:
...

INNER STRUGGLES TO GIVE THEM DEPTH:
...

CLICHÉS TO BE AWARE OF:
...

TWIST THIS TROPE WITH A CHARACTER WHO...:
...

UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
...

CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
...

...