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Inspiration Decks Character Traits 2023-12-06 00:00

Character Trait: Demoralizing

Character Trait Demoralizing

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "demoralizing" refers to a person's ability to lower the morale or spirit of others. A demoralizing person may intentionally or unintentionally cause others to feel discouraged, disheartened, or hopeless. This trait can manifest in various ways, such as through harsh criticism, negative feedback, or a consistently pessimistic attitude.

Contents:
  1. Possible causes of being demoralizing
  2. Behaviors associated with being demoralizing
  3. Attitudes associated with being demoralizing
  4. Thoughts and struggles associated with being demoralizing
  5. Emotions associated with being demoralizing
  6. Facial expressions associated with being demoralizing
  7. Body language associated with being demoralizing
  8. Behaviors associated with being demoralizing
  9. Growth and evolution of demoralizing characters
  10. Stereotypes of demoralizing characters to avoid
  11. Negatives of being demoralizing
  12. Positives of being demoralizing
  13. Verbal expressions of demoralizing characters
  14. Relationships of demoralizing characters
  15. Examples from books of characters who are demoralizing
  16. Writing exercises for writing demoralizing characters

Possible causes of being demoralizing

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

  • A belief that putting others down will make them feel better about themselves
  • Learned behavior from a demoralizing parent or authority figure
  • Past trauma or negative experiences that have shaped their worldview
  • Insecurity or low self-esteem
  • A tendency to focus on the negative and ignore the positive
  • A desire to avoid vulnerability or intimacy with others
  • A lack of empathy or emotional intelligence
  • Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
  • A need for control or power over others

Behaviors associated with being demoralizing

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

  • Using sarcasm or insults to mock or shame others
  • Creating a hostile or negative atmosphere
  • Constantly criticizing and belittling others
  • Focusing on negatives rather than positives
  • Blaming others for mistakes or failures
  • Making others feel unworthy or inadequate
  • Refusing to provide support or encouragement
  • Ignoring or dismissing others' ideas and opinions
  • Undermining others' efforts or accomplishments

Attitudes associated with being demoralizing

You may be able to show demoralizing through their attitudes.

  • Dismissing or downplaying the efforts and achievements of others
  • Constantly criticizing and belittling others
  • Using sarcasm or snarky comments to put others down
  • Undermining others' confidence and self-esteem
  • Making others feel inadequate or inferior
  • Being pessimistic and cynical about the world and people in general
  • Focusing only on the negative aspects of situations
  • Refusing to listen to others' perspectives or ideas
  • Creating a toxic and unhealthy environment

Thoughts and struggles associated with being demoralizing

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

  • Belief that their efforts will never be good enough
  • Constantly comparing themselves to others and feeling inferior
  • Self-doubt and lack of confidence in their abilities
  • A lack of motivation and drive to succeed
  • A negative outlook on life and a sense of hopelessness
  • A tendency to isolate themselves and withdraw from social situations
  • Difficulty accepting compliments or praise
  • A tendency to give up easily and avoid challenges
  • Fear of failure and rejection
  • An inclination towards self-pity and blaming others for their problems

Emotions associated with being demoralizing

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

  • Discouragement
  • Defeatism
  • Pessimism
  • Disheartenment
  • Despair
  • Dejection
  • Disillusionment
  • Hopelessness
  • Resignation

Facial expressions associated with being demoralizing

Here are some facial expressions your demoralizing character may exhibit.

  • Crossing arms or hunching shoulders
  • Avoiding eye contact
  • Squinting or narrowing the eyes
  • Clenched jaw or teeth grinding
  • Heavy sighing or exhaling loudly
  • Pursed lips or shaking head
  • Frowning or scowling
  • Rolling eyes
  • Tense or rigid facial muscles

Body language associated with being demoralizing

Here is some body language your demoralizing character may exhibit.

  • Frowning, scowling, or grimacing
  • Crossing arms or legs defensively
  • Speaking in a monotone or low voice
  • Heavy sighs or groans
  • Slumped posture and drooping shoulders
  • Avoiding physical touch or contact
  • Lack of enthusiasm or energy in movements and gestures
  • Looking down or away when speaking
  • Lack of eye contact or avoiding eye contact

Behaviors associated with being demoralizing

Here are some behaviors your demoralizing character may exhibit.

  • Focusing on negatives rather than positives
  • Creating a hostile or negative atmosphere
  • Undermining others' efforts or accomplishments
  • Constantly criticizing and belittling others
  • Refusing to provide support or encouragement
  • Blaming others for mistakes or failures
  • Ignoring or dismissing others' ideas and opinions
  • Making others feel unworthy or inadequate
  • Using sarcasm or insults to mock or shame others

Growth and evolution of demoralizing characters

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

  • Seeking redemption through acts of kindness and selflessness
  • Finding a new sense of purpose or direction in life
  • Learning to communicate more effectively and positively with others
  • Struggling with guilt and remorse for their past actions
  • Forgiving themselves and others for past mistakes
  • Letting go of their need for control and perfectionism
  • Recognizing the impact of their negative behavior on others
  • Overcoming their own insecurities and self-doubt
  • Developing empathy and understanding for those they have hurt

Stereotypes of demoralizing characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical demoralizing character like these examples.

  • The character who constantly puts others down and belittles them
  • The character who is abusive, physically or emotionally, towards others
  • The character who is always negative and never has anything positive to say
  • The character who is manipulative and uses others to get what they want
  • The character who is overly critical and never satisfied with anything
  • The character who is dishonest and lies to get out of trouble or gain an advantage
  • The character who is passive and allows others to walk all over them without standing up for themselves
  • The character who is constantly complaining and never takes action to change their situation
  • The character who is selfish and only thinks about themselves, disregarding the needs and feelings of others

Negatives of being demoralizing

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

  • They can be overly critical and harsh towards others, making them feel like they can never measure up.
  • They may struggle to maintain positive relationships, as their negative behavior can push others away.
  • Demoralizing characters make others feel discouraged and disheartened.
  • Demoralizing characters can be manipulative, using negative comments to control and dominate those around them.
  • Demoralizing characters can create a toxic environment and damage relationships, as others may start to feel resentful or avoid them altogether.
  • They can be seen as bullies, as they often belittle and demean others to feel superior.

Positives of being demoralizing

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

  • Demoralizing characters can provide a foil to more positive characters, highlighting their virtues and strengths
  • Demoralizing characters can be effective antagonists that add depth and tension to a story
  • They can create memorable and impactful scenes that stick with readers long after they finish the story
  • They can challenge the protagonist's beliefs and force them to grow and develop
  • Demoralizing characters can be used to explore important themes, such as the nature of evil, power dynamics, and the human condition
  • They can be a source of conflict that drives the plot forward and keeps readers engaged

Verbal expressions of demoralizing characters

Here are some potential expressions used by demoralizing characters.

  • Dismissive or condescending tone
  • Using sarcasm to undermine confidence
  • Negativity and pessimism
  • Ignoring or dismissing accomplishments
  • Insulting or mocking language
  • Discouraging or undermining feedback
  • Criticizing and belittling comments
  • Using hurtful or offensive language
  • Blaming and shaming language

Relationships of demoralizing characters

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

  • They may be prone to blaming others for their own mistakes or shortcomings.
  • They may create an atmosphere of fear or intimidation in their relationships.
  • Demoralizing people may be quick to anger or become defensive when confronted.
  • Demoralizing people may have a tendency to put others down or criticize them.
  • They may be dismissive of other people's opinions or feelings.
  • They may discourage others from pursuing their goals or dreams.
  • They may try to control or manipulate others through guilt or shame.

Examples from books of characters who are demoralizing

  • Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
  • Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
  • Cathy Ames from East of Eden by John Steinbeck
  • Frank Burns from MASH: A Novel About Three Army Doctors by Richard Hooker
  • Lady Catherine de Bourgh from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • Iago from Othello by William Shakespeare
  • Nurse Annie Wilkes from Misery by Stephen King
  • Humbert Humbert from Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
  • Joffrey Baratheon from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

Writing exercises for writing demoralizing characters

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

  • Write a flashback scene that shows a time when the character was confident and happy. Contrast this with their current state of demoralization.
  • Consider the character's physical appearance and body language. Write a description of how the character carries themselves when they are feeling demoralized.
  • Begin by identifying the source of the character's demoralization. Is it a past event, a current situation, or a combination of both?
  • Write a scene in which the character encounters someone who tries to encourage or uplift them. Show how the character responds to this attempt at positivity.
  • Consider the character's relationships with others. Write a scene in which their demoralization affects their interactions with friends or family.
  • Write a scene in which the character receives bad news or experiences a setback. Show how they react and cope with the disappointment.
  • Explore the character's self-talk. Write a monologue in which the character berates themselves or has a negative inner dialogue.
  • Write a scene in which the character takes a risk or tries something new. Show how their demoralization affects their ability to take action.
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