Character Trait: Bitter

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "bitter" is an emotional state characterized by strong negative feelings such as anger, resentment, or disappointment. A bitter character may hold grudges, be difficult to please, and have a negative outlook on life. They may struggle to move past past hurts and may be quick to blame others for their problems. Bitterness can be a result of personal struggles or negative experiences, but it can also be a choice to hold onto negative feelings rather than finding ways to move forward and find joy.

Possible causes of being bitter

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

• Feelings of powerlessness or lack of control
• Past traumatic experiences or emotional wounds
• Unresolved anger or resentment towards someone or something
• Disappointment or disillusionment with people or institutions
• Chronic stress or anxiety
• Feeling undervalued or unappreciated
• Lack of social support or close relationships
• Insecurity or low self-esteem
• Chronic physical pain or illness

For detailed feedback on bitter characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative quality assessment.

Behaviors associated with being bitter

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

• Blaming others for one's own shortcomings or failures
• Refusing to forgive or let go of past hurts
• Holding grudges against others for perceived wrongs
• Being quick to anger or hostility in response to perceived slights or injustices
• Engaging in passive-aggressive behavior towards others
• Being excessively critical or negative towards oneself and others
• Withholding affection or warmth from others
• Sabotaging oneself or others due to a deep-seated sense of bitterness
• Feeling resentful towards others who have achieved success or happiness

Attitudes associated with being bitter

You may be able to show bitter through their attitudes.

• A sense of injustice or unfairness
• Difficulty in forgiving others or oneself
• A tendency to dwell on past grievances
• Blaming others for personal misfortunes or setbacks
• Resentment towards others who seem to have it better
• A lack of faith in the goodness of people or the world
• Frustration with life's circumstances

Thoughts and struggles associated with being bitter

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

• Lack of trust in others
• A sense of superiority or entitlement
• Negative self-talk and self-pity
• Difficulty finding joy or happiness in life
• A desire for revenge or to make others suffer
• Fear of vulnerability and being hurt again
• Difficulty letting go of past hurts or betrayals
• Resentment towards others who have wronged them
• Feelings of victimization or unfair treatment
• Isolation from others due to bitterness and negativity

Emotions associated with being bitter

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

• Anger
• Resentment
• Frustration
• Envy
• Betrayal
• Distrust
• Disappointment
• Hatred
• Jealousy

Facial expressions associated with being bitter

Here are some facial expressions your bitter character may exhibit.

• Clenched jaw or grinding teeth
• A downturned or pursed mouth
• A tight-lipped or pressed-together mouth
• A narrowed or squinted gaze
• A curled or sneering upper lip
• Heavy or exaggerated sighs
• Eye rolling or glancing away
• A furrowed brow or scowling expression

Body language associated with being bitter

Here is some body language your bitter character may exhibit.

• Fidgeting or tapping fingers or feet
• Eye rolling or avoiding eye contact
• Furrowed eyebrows or a scowl
• Heavy sighs or deep breaths
• Clenched jaw or teeth grinding
• Tense body posture or slouching
• Pointed finger or aggressive gestures
• Tightened lips or a forced smile
• Crossed arms or legs

For detailed feedback on bitter characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's narrative quality assessment.

Behaviors associated with being bitter

Here are some behaviors your bitter character may exhibit.

• Engaging in passive-aggressive behavior towards others
• Being excessively critical or negative towards oneself and others
• Withholding affection or warmth from others
• Feeling resentful towards others who have achieved success or happiness
• Being quick to anger or hostility in response to perceived slights or injustices
• Refusing to forgive or let go of past hurts
• Sabotaging oneself or others due to a deep-seated sense of bitterness
• Blaming others for one's own shortcomings or failures
• Holding grudges against others for perceived wrongs

Growth and evolution of bitter characters

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

• Learn to accept criticism and constructive feedback without becoming defensive
• Develop empathy and understanding towards others
• Find a new purpose or passion in life
• Start to let go of past grudges and resentments
• Develop a sense of humor and learn to laugh at themselves
• Work on improving their communication skills and building better relationships with others
• Stop projecting their bitterness onto others and taking out their frustrations on innocent people
• Learn to forgive themselves and others
• Begin to see the positive aspects of life instead of solely focusing on the negative

Stereotypes of bitter characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical bitter character like these examples.

• Avoid making your Bitter character one-dimensional or solely defined by their bitterness. They should have other traits and complexities that make them a well-rounded character.
• Avoid making your Bitter character passive or a victim. They should take action and have agency, even if their bitterness is a driving force behind their choices.
• Avoid making your Bitter character too whiny or complaining. Instead, show how their bitterness fuels their actions and decisions.

Negatives of being bitter

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

• Bitterness can lead to a victim mentality, where individuals blame external circumstances or other people for their problems and failures, rather than taking responsibility for their own actions.
• Bitterness can hinder personal growth and development, as it can prevent individuals from learning from their mistakes and moving forward.
• Chronic bitterness can lead to physical and mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, heart disease, and weakened immune system.
• Bitterness can strain relationships and lead to social isolation, as people may avoid spending time with someone who is constantly negative and resentful.

Positives of being bitter

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

• It allows for the processing and expression of difficult emotions.
• It can help to create conflict and tension in a story.
• Bitterness can be a catalyst for change and growth.
• Bitterness can be relatable to readers who have experienced similar emotions.
• It can inspire a character to take action and seek justice.
• It can lead to introspection and self-discovery for the character.
• Bitterness can add depth and complexity to a character's personality.

Verbal expressions of bitter characters

Here are some potential expressions used by bitter characters.

• Speaking in a cynical or jaded manner
• Speaking with a sharp or sarcastic tone
• Refusing to forgive or let go of grudges
• Constantly complaining or criticizing
• Expressing envy or resentment towards others' successes
• Being defensive or argumentative in conversations
• Making cutting remarks or insults towards others
• Using negative language or focusing on the negative aspects of situations
• Blaming others for personal problems or failures

Relationships of bitter characters

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

• They might have difficulty trusting others, and may be suspicious of their motives.
• They might be quick to assume negative intentions from others, even if there is no evidence to support this.
• Bitter people might have a tendency to hold grudges against others, even for minor slights.
• They may struggle to empathize with others, and may dismiss their feelings as unimportant or irrelevant.
• Bitter people might struggle to form close relationships, as their negative outlook can make it difficult to connect with others on a deeper level.
• Bitter people might engage in passive-aggressive behavior, such as making sarcastic comments or giving the silent treatment.
• Bitter people might be defensive, and may lash out at others when they feel criticized or attacked.

Examples from books of characters who are bitter

• Miss Havisham from "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Cathy Ames from "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
• Medea from "Medea" by Euripides
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Ahab from "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville

Writing exercises for writing bitter characters

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

• Give your character a backstory that includes a significant event that caused them to become bitter. This could be a betrayal, a loss, or a disappointment. Make sure to show how this event affected them and influenced their worldview.
• Write a scene from the perspective of a bitter character. Describe their surroundings and the people they interact with, but make sure to include their internal monologue as well. What are they thinking and feeling?
• Show your character engaging in self-destructive behavior as a result of their bitterness. This could include substance abuse, unhealthy relationships, or risky behavior. Make sure to show how this behavior is a coping mechanism for their pain.
• Think about a time in your own life when you felt bitter. What caused that bitterness and how did it manifest in your thoughts and actions? Use this experience to inform your character's behavior.
• Write a letter from your character to the person or thing that caused their bitterness. This exercise can help you explore your character's emotions and motivations in more depth.
• Create a dialogue between your bitter character and another character who has a more optimistic outlook. Use this conversation to highlight the differences between the characters and to show how bitterness can affect relationships.