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

Character Trait: Doltish

Character Trait Doltish

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait doltish refers to a person who is stupid or foolish, lacking common sense or the ability to think clearly and logically. A doltish character may make poor decisions, act impulsively, and struggle to understand complex situations or ideas. They may also be easily fooled or manipulated by others, and have a tendency to make mistakes or cause problems. Overall, doltishness is a negative character trait that can create obstacles for a character and hinder their progress or success in a story.

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

Possible causes of being doltish

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

  • Lack of exposure to diverse perspectives
  • Overconfidence in their own abilities
  • Limited life experiences or exposure to different cultures
  • Lack of interest in learning or personal growth
  • Stubbornness or resistance to change
  • Limited educational background
  • Inability to understand social cues
  • Poor communication skills
  • Lack of critical thinking skills

Behaviors associated with being doltish

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

  • Being easily fooled or deceived
  • Refusing to learn from mistakes or experiences
  • Being slow to learn or understand new information
  • Showing a lack of knowledge or intelligence in specific areas
  • Failing to understand or comprehend simple concepts
  • Making careless mistakes repeatedly
  • Lacking awareness of one's own limitations or shortcomings
  • Exhibiting a lack of common sense or judgment
  • Talking and acting without thinking first

Attitudes associated with being doltish

You may be able to show doltish through their attitudes.

  • Lack of common sense or practical knowledge
  • Slow-wittedness or mental slowness
  • Lack of intelligence or intellectual curiosity
  • Difficulty grasping abstract ideas
  • Reliance on others for guidance or decision-making
  • Inability to learn from experience or mistakes
  • Inability to understand complex concepts
  • Tendency to make simple mistakes or errors in judgment
  • Disinterest in education or self-improvement

Thoughts and struggles associated with being doltish

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

  • Feeling ashamed or embarrassed about their intellectual shortcomings
  • Feeling misunderstood or judged by others
  • Feeling inadequate or inferior compared to others
  • Frustration with their own limitations and lack of intelligence
  • Trying to compensate for their lack of intelligence by using humor or physical abilities
  • Difficulty understanding complex ideas or concepts
  • Being overly self-conscious and insecure about their intelligence
  • Being easily manipulated or tricked by others
  • Struggling to communicate effectively with others

Emotions associated with being doltish

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

  • Unawareness of social cues or norms
  • Clumsiness
  • Lack of common sense
  • Being easily fooled or tricked
  • Naivety
  • Lack of intelligence
  • Inability to understand or learn quickly

Facial expressions associated with being doltish

Here are some facial expressions your doltish character may exhibit.

  • A slack-jawed expression
  • Droopy or heavy eyelids
  • Limited or simplistic vocabulary
  • A furrowed brow with a confused look
  • A dull or vacant tone of voice
  • A lack of focus or attention
  • A blank or vacant stare
  • Slow or clumsy movements

Body language associated with being doltish

Here is some body language your doltish character may exhibit.

• Limited vocabulary or trouble expressing oneself clearly

Behaviors associated with being doltish

Here are some behaviors your doltish character may exhibit.

  • Failing to understand or comprehend simple concepts
  • Showing a lack of knowledge or intelligence in specific areas
  • Refusing to learn from mistakes or experiences
  • Exhibiting a lack of common sense or judgment
  • Making careless mistakes repeatedly
  • Being slow to learn or understand new information
  • Lacking awareness of one's own limitations or shortcomings
  • Talking and acting without thinking first
  • Being easily fooled or deceived

Growth and evolution of doltish characters

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

  • Learning to think critically and make informed decisions.
  • Realizing the importance of education and seeking to improve their knowledge.
  • Learning from their mistakes and becoming more self-aware.
  • Developing empathy and understanding for others, leading to stronger relationships.
  • Discovering hidden talents or skills that they didn't know they had.
  • Finding a mentor or role model who can guide them and help them grow.
  • Facing their fears and overcoming obstacles that previously held them back.
  • Becoming more independent and taking responsibility for their actions.
  • Discovering their own unique strengths and using them to their advantage.

Stereotypes of doltish characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical doltish character like these examples.

  • Avoid making the character completely stupid or incapable of understanding anything.
  • Avoid making the character a one-dimensional joke or comic relief.
  • Avoid making the character overly clumsy or accident-prone.
  • Avoid making the character completely unaware of their surroundings or the consequences of their actions.
  • Avoid using offensive language or slurs to describe the character or their actions.
  • Avoid portraying the character as lazy or unmotivated.

Negatives of being doltish

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

  • Difficulty with comprehension and problem-solving
  • Tendency to rely on others for guidance and direction
  • Lack of intelligence or understanding
  • Limited vocabulary and communication skills
  • Reduced ability to adapt to new situations or challenges
  • Poor decision-making skills
  • Inability to learn from mistakes or past experiences

Positives of being doltish

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

  • Not being overly analytical or critical can allow you to enjoy life more and take risks
  • Being naive and innocent can make you more approachable and trustworthy
  • Being straightforward and honest can make communication with others more clear and direct
  • Being easily impressed or excited can make you more enthusiastic and passionate about things

Verbal expressions of doltish characters

Here are some potential expressions used by doltish characters.

• Inability to think outside the box.

Relationships of doltish characters

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

  • Doltish people may have difficulty empathizing with others, which can make them seem cold or uncaring.
  • They may have a simplistic or black-and-white view of the world, which can make it difficult for them to understand more complex or nuanced perspectives.
  • Doltish people may have difficulty with abstract thinking or problem-solving, which can limit their ability to contribute meaningfully to group projects or discussions.
  • They may have a tendency to take things at face value or believe everything they hear, which can make them vulnerable to scams or manipulation.
  • They may have a tendency to dominate conversations or interrupt others, which can be frustrating for those around them.
  • Doltish people may struggle to understand social cues and etiquette, which can lead to awkward or uncomfortable interactions with others.
  • They may come across as insensitive or rude without intending to, which can strain relationships and cause misunderstandings.
  • Doltish people may struggle to pick up on subtle emotions or nonverbal communication, which can make it difficult for them to connect with others on a deeper level.

Examples from books of characters who are doltish

  • Hagrid from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
  • Forrest Gump from Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
  • Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
  • Joey from War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
  • Dopey from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs by Disney
  • Ron Weasley from Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (at times)
  • Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  • Lennie from Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
  • Piggy from Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Writing exercises for writing doltish characters

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

  • Write a scene where your character is easily fooled or taken advantage of by another character. This could be a scam or a prank that they fall for due to their gullibility.
  • Create a scene where your character struggles to understand a basic concept or task. For example, they may have trouble counting change at a store or fail to comprehend a simple instruction.
  • Use metaphors and analogies that highlight your character's lack of intelligence. For example, you could describe their thoughts as being "as muddled as a swamp" or their memory as being "as leaky as a sieve".
  • Create a situation where your character's lack of intelligence puts them in danger. This could be a simple mistake like forgetting to turn off the stove or a more serious situation like getting lost in a dangerous area.
  • Explore the physicality of your character. Consider their posture, movements, and facial expressions. A doltish character may slump their shoulders, walk with a shuffle, or have a vacant expression on their face.
  • Practice writing dialogue for your character using simple and repetitive language. Use phrases like "I dunno" or "That's dumb" to emphasize their lack of intelligence.
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