Character Trait: Arrogant

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Arrogance is a character trait that involves an exaggerated sense of self-importance, superiority, and entitlement. Arrogant individuals tend to overestimate their abilities and accomplishments while underestimating the abilities and accomplishments of others. They may also display a dismissive or condescending attitude towards others, believing that they are inherently better or more deserving of success and recognition. This trait can be detrimental to relationships and personal growth, as it often prevents individuals from being receptive to constructive feedback or open to learning from others.

Possible causes of being arrogant

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

• Being highly competitive and constantly striving to be the best
• Feeling insecure and using arrogance as a defense mechanism to hide their vulnerabilities
• Experiencing a traumatic event that made them feel powerless, leading them to develop a need for control and dominance
• Growing up in an environment where they were constantly praised and never received criticism
• Being told they are "better" or "superior" than others by family members or authority figures
• Being in a position of power or authority that reinforces their sense of superiority over others

For detailed feedback on arrogant characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's fiction manuscript feedback.

Behaviors associated with being arrogant

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

• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or perspectives
• Expecting special treatment or privileges
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Underestimating the abilities or achievements of others
• Belittling or condescending others
• Ignoring or dismissing feedback or criticism
• Boasting or bragging excessively
• Refusing to apologize or admit fault
• Overstating one's own abilities or achievements

Attitudes associated with being arrogant

You may be able to show arrogant through their attitudes.

• Overestimating one's own abilities
• Taking credit for others' work or accomplishments
• Talking down to others or using condescending language
• Believing oneself to be superior to others
• Expecting special treatment or privileges
• Blaming others for one's own failures or mistakes
• Refusing to acknowledge mistakes or weaknesses
• Dismissing the opinions or abilities of others
• Being defensive or confrontational when challenged

Thoughts and struggles associated with being arrogant

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

• May have trouble forming genuine connections with others due to their belief in their own superiority
• May believe they are entitled to special treatment or privileges
• Has a need for constant validation and recognition
• May overestimate their abilities and take on tasks they are not qualified for
• May have trouble learning from mistakes or taking advice from others
• Believes they are superior to others and often looks down on them
• May become defensive or lash out when their arrogance is challenged
• May struggle with feelings of insecurity or inadequacy, despite their outward confidence
• Struggles with accepting criticism or admitting when they are wrong

Emotions associated with being arrogant

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

• Overconfidence
• Superiority
• Conceitedness
• Self-importance
• Disdainfulness
• Narcissism
• Patronizing behavior
• Insolence
• Contemptuousness

Facial expressions associated with being arrogant

Here are some facial expressions your arrogant character may exhibit.

• Tilted chin or head
• Squinting
• Narrowed eyes
• Pursed lips
• Looking down on others
• Frowning or scowling
• Raised eyebrows
• Rolling eyes
• Sneering or smirking

Body language associated with being arrogant

Here is some body language your arrogant character may exhibit.

• Smirking or sneering at others
• Ignoring or dismissing others' opinions or input
• Displaying dominant body posture, such as standing tall and taking up a lot of space
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Speaking in a condescending tone or with excessive confidence
• Avoiding eye contact or looking down on others
• Standing with arms crossed and a tilted chin

For detailed feedback on arrogant characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's fiction manuscript feedback.

Behaviors associated with being arrogant

Here are some behaviors your arrogant character may exhibit.

• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or perspectives
• Refusing to apologize or admit fault
• Boasting or bragging excessively
• Overstating one's own abilities or achievements
• Underestimating the abilities or achievements of others
• Ignoring or dismissing feedback or criticism
• Belittling or condescending others
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Expecting special treatment or privileges

Growth and evolution of arrogant characters

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

• Develop humility and recognize their own limitations
• Learn to listen to others and consider their perspectives
• Develop empathy and understand how their actions affect others
• Learn to work collaboratively with others and value their contributions
• Develop self-awareness and recognize their own flaws and biases
• Overcome their insecurities and learn to appreciate the strengths of others
• Face the consequences of their arrogance and take responsibility for their mistakes
• Learn to ask for help and accept feedback

Stereotypes of arrogant characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical arrogant character like these examples.

• Avoid using arrogance as an excuse for bad behavior or lack of empathy.
• Don't make them always win and never face any consequences for their actions.
• Avoid making them invincible or untouchable, as this can make them unrelatable.
• Don't make them constantly belittle or disrespect others without any justification.
• Don't make them too predictable or cliché, as this can make them boring to read.
• Avoid making your arrogant character one-dimensional and flat.

Negatives of being arrogant

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

• Arrogant people often think they are always right and refuse to listen to others' opinions or feedback.
• Arrogance can lead to overconfidence and reckless decision-making, which can have negative consequences.
• Arrogant individuals may struggle with forming meaningful relationships or connections, as they prioritize their own superiority over building rapport with others.
• They may come across as dismissive or condescending, making others feel undervalued or inferior.

Positives of being arrogant

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

• Arrogance can be attractive to others who are drawn to confidence and charisma.
• They tend to be assertive and persuasive in their interactions with others.
• Arrogance can give someone a strong sense of self-worth and self-esteem.
• They may be more resilient in the face of criticism or setbacks.
• Arrogant people are often confident in their abilities and beliefs.
• Arrogant individuals may be more likely to take risks and pursue their goals with determination.

Verbal expressions of arrogant characters

Here are some potential expressions used by arrogant characters.

• Talking down to others
• Belittling or dismissing others' opinions or ideas
• Using condescending or patronizing language
• Refusing to listen to criticism or feedback
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Insisting on always being right
• Boasting about one's achievements or possessions
• Making derogatory comments or insults
• Referring to oneself in a grandiose manner (e.g. "I am the best")

Relationships of arrogant characters

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

• Arrogant people may talk down to others and dismiss their opinions as inferior.
• Arrogant people may have difficulty forming genuine connections with others due to their inflated sense of self-importance.
• They may belittle others to make themselves feel superior.
• Arrogant people may seek to dominate conversations and steer them towards themselves.
• They may be quick to anger or lash out when challenged or contradicted.
• They may have a tendency to use others for their own gain without concern for their feelings or well-being.

Examples from books of characters who are arrogant

• Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Patrick Bateman from American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
• Humbert Humbert from Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Peter van Houten from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Cersei Lannister from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin
• Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Ignatius J. Reilly from A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
• Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

Writing exercises for writing arrogant characters

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

• Write a dialogue between your character and someone they believe is beneath them.
• Write a monologue from your character's perspective where they justify their actions or behavior as superior to others.
• Show your character acting entitled or demanding special treatment.
• Write a scene where your character is confronted with their arrogance and how they react.
• Have your character encounter someone who is more successful or skilled than them and how they respond.
• Show your character interrupting or talking over others during a conversation or argument.
• Have your character make a mistake, but refuse to admit fault or take responsibility for it.
• Write a scene where your character belittles or undermines someone else's accomplishments or abilities.
• Think about a time when you or someone you know acted arrogantly. Write a scene where your character behaves similarly.