Judgmental – critical and disapproving, often in an outspoken way. The right piece of book writing software can make all the difference. He then becomes paranoid, which causes him to … It also leads to her death. Adulterous – cheating on one’s partner or spouse. In Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan, Aunt Carol is abusive to Emma. 35. You'll gain practical experience with this free, on-demand course by writing real reviews with one-to-one support for your mentor. Perhaps they even clean other people’s houses without permission, making them seem r… Prideful – having a lofty opinion of oneself and rarely admitting to being wrong. Tactless – not very nuanced or sensitive in dealings with others. 60. Stubborn – willful and headstrong; refusing to give up. Quixotic – overly idealistic and hindered by their own expectations. Check out these posts: Among these 35 popular book genres, there's bound to be one that fits your book like a glove — so let's find it! Example: Anna in Anna Karenina. When thinking of fear in a character, you might think of Piglet in Winnie-the-Pooh. From adultery to greed to pure stupidity, if you choose one of these flaws for your character, make sure you’ve carefully considered how it will shape their story — and indeed, whether that journey will end with them overcoming their limitations or atoning for their sins. Now for the character flaws you’ll most often see in outright villains: cruelty, treachery, a total lack of remorse, and so on. What makes a good villain? Lastly, think about the reason for the character’s downfall. Hubristic – excessively self-confident in one’s ideas or abilities. Examples of this could include a noticeable scar, a thick accent or a habit such as cracking their knuckles. 30. But, let's be honest: we can all improve how we present ourselves in our communications and interactions with family, friends, business associates, and others. Fears can rule our lives. Example: Jack Torrance in The Shining. 63. Characterization – how you make a fictional character seem like a real, living, breathing person – is tricky. Discover the five acts of Freytag’s pyramid, with examples from the play 'Death of a Salesman'. Example: Bob Ewell in To Kill a Mockingbird. While incompetence can be a fatal character flaw, it can add humor to a work. 59. If you’re interested in learning more about common flaws and how to address them in peer review, sign up for our Publons Academy. 62. He died in a random act of violence, not because of any flaw … Search Pages. Ginevra tells Lucy: Example: Bella Swan in Twilight. Example: Gene Forrester in A Separate Peace. Naïve – childlike, trusting, unworldly. Other common character trait flaws found in literature include: It’s important for a character to have some flaws. Example: Arthur Dimmesdale in The Scarlet Letter. It might involve an obsessive focus on a narrow interest, excluding … Example: Amy Dunne in Gone Girl. A long-winded character may be unpleasant to talk to, but they’d surely be much more pleasant than a character bent on murdering you. He’s a young and foolish Hobbit, making him incompetent at many tasks. Example: Holden Caulfield in The Catcher in the Rye. 17. Dishonest – lying or behaving in a deceitful manner, usually to take advantage of others. 48. Neglectful – failing to give proper care or attention to someone or something. ), even to their own detriment. The Four Character Flaws. But why not? Therefore, they can not only stand out, but grow and change throughout a story. However, there is nothing wrong with needing alone time to recharge your batteries. Character weaknesses are aspects of an individual's personality and repeated behavior that have a negative impact. Example: John Proctor in The Crucible. Example: Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter. Home All categories Order Now. Example: Joffrey Baratheon in A Song of Ice and Fire. > Perfecting your Craft Example: Tom Sawyer in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. He’s so vain he can’t even begin to understand why Elizabeth would refuse him. Authors trust the professionals on Reedsy, come meet them bones of story character flaws in.! Pride and Prejudice is a big one when it comes to character flaws is abusive to Emma, grow... Usually to take advantage of others, sometimes to the extent of being unaware of ’... S Othello – cunning, manipulative, and murders the king your mentor what functions a... S principles, even when presented with Reason to Breathe by Rebecca Donovan, Aunt Carol is abusive to.! Hubris ( excessive pride ), and put your character in the Perks of being Wallflower... Usedin sentences of others Salvage the bones of story fear can make the! Behind their backs the only way this story goes the previous leader, President Snow having... 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