To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Cantankerous is a character trait that refers to someone who is bad-tempered, irritable, and difficult to work or live with. A cantankerous person is often easily annoyed or angered, and may be prone to complaining, arguing, or criticizing others. This trait is often associated with older people or those who have experienced many disappointments in life, but it can be present in anyone regardless of age or experience.

Possible causes of being cantankerous

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• Social isolation or lack of meaningful relationships that make them feel resentful or bitter towards others.
• Past negative experiences or traumas that have influenced their worldview and attitude towards others.
• Age-related changes in brain chemistry or cognitive decline that affect their mood and behavior.
• Genetic predisposition or personality traits that make them more prone to being easily angered or irritated.
• Chronic pain or health issues that make them feel constantly uncomfortable and irritable.

For detailed feedback on cantankerous characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary critique platform.

Behaviors associated with being cantankerous

You may be able to show your character's trait of cantankerous by using these.

• Disrespecting authority or rules
• Snapping or grumbling at others
• Disliking change or new ideas
• Refusing to cooperate or compromise
• Holding grudges or being unforgiving
• Being argumentative or confrontational
• Expressing negativity or skepticism
• Complaining frequently or easily annoyed

Attitudes associated with being cantankerous

You may be able to show cantankerous through their attitudes.

• Complaining
• Grumpiness
• Pessimism
• Crankiness
• Stubbornness
• Irritability
• Negativity
• Argumentative
• Disagreeableness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being cantankerous

Here are some ideas for things your cantankerous character may think or struggle with.

• A cantankerous character often feels frustrated and irritable, with a tendency to lash out at others.
• They may have a strong sense of justice or fairness, which can sometimes come across as overly critical or judgmental.
• A cantankerous character may also have a deep-seated fear of vulnerability, which can lead them to keep their emotions bottled up and lash out in anger instead.
• They may have a strong sense of pride and stubbornness, making it difficult for them to admit when they are wrong or apologize for their actions.
• A cantankerous character may also struggle with feelings of regret or bitterness, particularly if they feel that they have been wronged in the past.
• They may struggle with feelings of loneliness or isolation, as their behavior often pushes people away.
• They may have a difficult time trusting others and may be quick to assume the worst in people.

Emotions associated with being cantankerous

Here are some ideas for emotions your cantankerous character may experience.

• Hostility
• Displeasure
• Grumpiness
• Bitterness
• Irritation
• Discontentment
• Obstinacy
• Pessimism
• Resentment

Facial expressions associated with being cantankerous

Here are some facial expressions your cantankerous character may exhibit.

• Curling the lips downward or pursing them tightly
• Raising eyebrows in a skeptical or disapproving manner
• Narrowing the eyes or squinting
• Emitting a sarcastic or caustic laugh
• Crossing arms or adopting a defensive posture
• Clenching the jaw or grinding the teeth
• Furrowing the brow or wrinkling the forehead
• Rolling the eyes or looking away in annoyance
• Frowning deeply or scowling

Body language associated with being cantankerous

Here is some body language your cantankerous character may exhibit.

• Pointing or jabbing fingers
• Rolling eyes or shaking head in disbelief
• Hunching shoulders or leaning forward aggressively
• Clenched jaw or grinding teeth
• Squinting or narrowing the eyes
• Crossing arms tightly across the chest
• Folding or tapping hands impatiently
• Frowning or scowling
• Pacing or stomping feet

For detailed feedback on cantankerous characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary critique platform.

Behaviors associated with being cantankerous

Here are some behaviors your cantankerous character may exhibit.

• Disliking change or new ideas
• Being argumentative or confrontational
• Complaining frequently or easily annoyed
• Disrespecting authority or rules
• Expressing negativity or skepticism
• Holding grudges or being unforgiving
• Snapping or grumbling at others
• Refusing to cooperate or compromise

Growth and evolution of cantankerous characters

Here are some ways that your cantankerous character may grow and evolve over time.

• Overcome their own insecurities and fears
• Learn to let go of grudges or past resentments
• Develop a more positive outlook on life
• Learn to communicate more effectively and respectfully with others
• Learn to compromise and be more open to other perspectives
• Develop a sense of humor and learn to not take things too seriously
• Recognize the value in building relationships with others
• Gain a better understanding of their own flaws and weaknesses
• Develop empathy and understanding for others

Stereotypes of cantankerous characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical cantankerous character like these examples.

• Avoid making the Cantankerous character overly stubborn or resistant to change or growth.
• Avoid making the Cantankerous character completely unlikable or unsympathetic to the reader or other characters.
• Avoid making the Cantankerous character constantly aggressive or violent towards others.
• Avoid making the Cantankerous character one-dimensional and solely focused on complaining or being argumentative.

Negatives of being cantankerous

Here are some potential negatives of being cantankerous. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• Being resistant to change or new ideas
• Being argumentative and confrontational
• Being overly critical or judgmental
• Being easily irritated or offended
• Being uncooperative or difficult to work with
• Being prone to complaining or whining
• Being unpleasant or rude to others

Positives of being cantankerous

Here are some potential positives of being cantankerous. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• They can also be seen as having a no-nonsense attitude and being straightforward in their communication.
• Being cantankerous can show that a character is independent and not easily swayed by others' opinions.
• It can also indicate that a character is unafraid to speak their mind and stand up for themselves.
• Their stubbornness and refusal to back down can lead to interesting conflict and character development.
• Cantankerous characters often have a strong sense of self and are not easily influenced by peer pressure or societal norms.
• Cantankerous characters can be entertaining and add a bit of humor or tension to a story.

Verbal expressions of cantankerous characters

Here are some potential expressions used by cantankerous characters.

• Complaining about everything and everyone
• Being critical and negative towards others
• Refusing to change or adapt to new situations
• Being stubborn or unyielding in opinions
• Being argumentative or confrontational
• Easily irritated or angered
• Using sarcasm or cynicism in communication
• Always finding fault in others
• Refusing to compromise or cooperate

Relationships of cantankerous characters

Here are some ways that being cantankerous could affect your character's relationships.

• They may be argumentative with family members, especially those who hold opposing views.
• They may struggle to establish a positive rapport with coworkers or teammates, often clashing with others over ideas or opinions.
• Cantankerous people often have a contentious relationship with authority figures, such as bosses or teachers.
• Cantankerous individuals may have difficulty making and keeping friends due to their combative nature.
• Cantankerous people may be prone to escalating conflicts with strangers, such as in road rage incidents or public altercations.

Examples from books of characters who are cantankerous

• Gollum from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Miss Havisham from "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Captain Ahab from "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville
• Ebenezer Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens
• Ignatius J. Reilly from "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
• Mr. Rochester from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Scrooge McDuck from "Uncle Scrooge" comics by Carl Barks

Writing exercises for writing cantankerous characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write cantankerous characters.

• Write a monologue from your cantankerous character's perspective. What are they thinking and feeling about a particular situation or person? What motivates their cantankerous behavior?
• Think of someone in your life who embodies the cantankerous trait. What specific behaviors or attitudes do they display? Use this as inspiration for your character.
• Use dialogue to show your character's cantankerousness. Write a conversation where they are arguing with someone or expressing their opinion in a confrontational way.
• Start by defining what cantankerous means to you and what behaviors or attitudes it entails. This will help you create a clear picture of the trait in your mind.
• Write a scene where your cantankerous character is interacting with someone they disagree with. How do they express their disagreement? What language do they use? How do they react to the other person's response?
• Write a scene where your cantankerous character is forced to work with someone they don't like. How do they handle the situation? What conflicts arise?