The 11 Character Flaws discussed within this chapter below they are.
#33. Short Temper
#34. Timidity
#35. Inflexibility
#36. Nihilism
#37. Complacency
#38. Fatalism
#39. Superficiality
#40. Gullibility
#41. Self-Sabotage
#42. Materialism
#43. Insensitivity
Many of these can often times do overlap with each other even in real life.
1. 33. Short Temper
Short Temper means to be easily angered or provoked.
Why this is interesting: A short temper can create unexpected conflicts and drive action, adding excitement to a story.
Example: Achilles in "The Iliad" by Homer. His anger shapes his character and influences key events in the epic.
Key questions: What triggers his anger? How does he express or deal with it? How does his temper affect his relationships and decisions?
2. 34 Timidity
Timidity is the lack of courage, confidence and being easily frightened or shy.
Why this is interesting: Timidity allows for character growth and transformation and can create empathetic characters.
Example: Beth March in "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott. Her shyness contrasts with her sisters' characters and adds to the family dynamics.
Key questions: What causes her timidity? How does it manifest? How does her timidity affect her actions and relationships?
3. 35. Inflexibility
Inflexibility is unwillingness to change or compromise often to a fault.
Why this is interesting: Inflexibility can create conflicts, hinder resolutions, and add complexity to characters and plots.
Example: Musa towards Riven in Winx Club especially in Season 4.
2nd Example:
Commander Samuel Vimes in the "Discworld" series by Terry Pratchett. His inflexibility in matters of law and personal principles creates both conflict and growth throughout the series.
Key questions: What makes her so inflexible? How does her inflexibility manifest? What relationships or situations have been affected by her inflexibility?
4. 36. Nihilism
Nihilism is the rejection of all religious and moral principles; belief that life is meaningless.
Why this is interesting: Nihilism challenges readers' values and creates complex characters who may act unpredictably.
Example: Logen Ninefingers in "The First Law" series by Joe Abercrombie. Known for his brutal and pragmatic outlook, Logen's nihilistic beliefs drive his actions throughout the series and underscore some of its darker themes.
Key questions: What led him to nihilism? How does it affect his actions and worldview? How does his nihilism influence the story's themes and plot?
5. 37. Complacency
Complacency is the self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies.
Why this is interesting: Complacent characters can provide contrast, create conflict, or be set up for a fall, leading to a dynamic story.
Example: Elend Venture in the "Mistborn" series by Brandon Sanderson.
His initial complacency regarding the political landscape and his own abilities creates contrast and sets the stage for character growth and development.
Key questions: What causes her complacency? How does it manifest in her behaviour? How does her complacency affect her relationships and the story's events?
6. 38. Fatalism
Fatalism is the belief that all events are predetermined and therefore inevitable.
Why this is interesting: Fatalistic characters may approach life's challenges differently, adding philosophical depth and conflict to a story.
Example: Tess in "Tess of the d'Urbervilles" by Thomas Hardy. Her fatalism shapes her character and the tragic direction of the novel.
Key questions: Why does he believe in fate? How does it affect his actions and decisions? How does his fatalism influence the story's themes and plot?
Disney's Descendants' Mal easily counters this in the "My Once Upon Time Song" and she is actually right. Fatalism is not a real thing, Skylights.
7. 39. Superficiality
Superficiality is the lack of depth or knowledge, character or emotions.
Why this is interesting: Superficial characters can provide contrast, comic relief, or social commentary within a narrative.
Example: Daisy Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Her superficiality is central to the novel's themes and plot.
Key questions: What makes her superficial? How does it manifest in her relationships? What are the consequences of her superficial behaviour?
8. 40. Gullibility
Gullibility is being easily persuaded to believe something, lacking critical thinking.
Why this is interesting: Gullibility can lead to misunderstandings, comic relief, or dramatic twists, enriching the story's dynamics.
Example: Sir Andrew Aguecheek in "Twelfth Night" by William Shakespeare. His gullibility adds humour and drives the subplot.
Key questions: What makes him gullible? How does his gullibility affect his relationships and decisions? How is his gullibility exploited within the plot?
One of Mother Gothel's insults towards Rapunzel is calling her Gullible and that's so true of a negative truth because Rapunzel never bothered to question what was true.
9. 41. Self-Sabotage
Self-Sabotage is behavior that creates unnecessary problems interfering with long-stand goals.
Why this is interesting: Self-sabotage adds complexity to a character's journey, and readers may recognize these traits in themselves or others.
Example: Anna Karenina in "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy. Her self-sabotage leads to personal and relational turmoil, driving the tragic plot.
Key questions: Why does she engage in self-sabotage? How does it manifest? What are the consequences of her self-sabotaging behaviour?
10. 42. Materialism
Materialism is the preoccupation with or emphasis on material objects, comforts, and considerations.
Why this is interesting: Materialism can reflect broader societal issues, offer contrast to other values, or drive a character's ambitions and conflicts.
Example: Tom Buchanan in "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
His materialism is central to his character and the novel's themes.
2nd Example: Snow White is in Ever After High is a Narcissist and also obsessed with Materialism. Apple her daughter doesn't have the Materialism flaw.
Key questions: What drives her materialism? How does it affect her relationships and decisions? How does her materialism reflect or contrast with other characters and themes?
43. Insensitivity is the lack of consideration or appreciation for the feelings or circumstances of others.
Why this is interesting: Insensitivity can create conflict. misunderstandings, and add texture to a character's personality.
Example: Gavin Guile in the "Lightbringer" series by Brent Weeks. His insensitivity at times, particularly in his relationships and decisions as the world's most powerful person, provides complexity to his character and adds to the story's conflicts.
Key questions: What causes her insensitivity? How does it manifest in her interactions? What are the consequences of her insensitivity?