CHARACTER TYPE AND TROPE THESAURUS

TORTURED HERO



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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 deeply wounded hero is categorized by self-doubt, melancholy, and isolation. In extreme cases, they may be depressed or self-destructive.

FICTIONAL EXAMPLES:
Athos (The Three Musketeers), Raskolnikov (Crime and Punishment), Esther Greenwood (The Bell Jar), Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), the beast (Beauty and the Beast)

COMMON STRENGTHS:
ANALYTICAL, CAUTIOUS, EMPATHETIC, INTELLIGENT, INTROVERTED, LOYAL, OBSERVANT, PASSIONATE, PENSIVE, PERCEPTIVE, PHILOSOPHICAL, PRIVATE, SENTIMENTAL, STUDIOUS, WISE

COMMON WEAKNESSES:
ANTISOCIAL, CYNICAL, GRUMPY, HUMORLESS, INDECISIVE, INSECURE, IRRATIONAL, MARTYR, MELODRAMATIC, NEEDY, OBSESSIVE, OVERSENSITIVE, PESSIMISTIC, RECKLESS, RESENTFUL, SELF-DESTRUCTIVE, SELF-INDULGENT, SELFISH, UNCOMMUNICATIVE, VOLATILE, WEAK-WILLED, WHINY, WITHDRAWN, WORRYWART

ASSOCIATED ACTIONS, BEHAVIORS, AND TENDENCIES:
Resiliency
Highly valuing justice
Thinking carefully before they speak
Preferring to be alone
Daydreaming of a simpler life
Being able to put themselves in other peoples' shoes
Seeking the truth
Being emotionally reserved
Having a strong moral compass
Ignoring past traumas; not facing their demons
Social awkwardness (or just being unpleasant to be around)
Constantly second-guessing themselves
Having narcissistic tendencies
Spending a lot of time in their own head
Slipping easily into depression and gloom
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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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UNEXPECTED OCCUPATIONS FOR THIS CHARACTER:
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CREATE SOMETHING NEW:
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