Character Trait: Bumptious

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Bumptious is a character trait that refers to someone who is self-assertive and confident to the point of being obnoxious or irritating. Bumptious individuals tend to be overconfident in their abilities and often display a lack of humility or consideration for others. They may also be perceived as arrogant or boastful, which can make it difficult for others to connect with them. However, when used effectively in a character, the trait of bumptiousness can add an interesting layer of complexity to a story.

Possible causes of being bumptious

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

• Upbringing or environmental factors that prioritize individual achievement over collaboration or humility
• Overcompensation for perceived weaknesses or shortcomings
• Cultural values that prioritize assertiveness or dominance over humility or deference
• Lack of emotional intelligence or empathy
• Narcissism or self-importance
• Insecurity or low self-esteem

For detailed feedback on bumptious characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being bumptious

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

• Insisting on having things done their way without compromise
• Dominating a conversation or situation without regard for others' needs or feelings
• Being condescending or patronizing towards others
• Interrupting others while they are speaking
• Being overly confident or arrogant in one's abilities or knowledge
• Dismissing others' opinions or ideas without consideration
• Bragging or boasting about one's accomplishments or possessions
• Acting as if one is always right or knows best
• Talking over others in a conversation

Attitudes associated with being bumptious

You may be able to show bumptious through their attitudes.

• Brashness
• Domineeringness
• Overconfidence
• Conceit
• Pushiness
• Presumption
• Self-importance
• Arrogance
• Impudence

Thoughts and struggles associated with being bumptious

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

• Believes they are always right, and struggles with admitting when they're wrong
• May struggle with empathy and understanding other people's perspectives, as they tend to be self-centered
• May struggle with accepting criticism or feedback, as they believe they already have all the answers
• May have trouble acknowledging their own limitations or weaknesses, as they believe they are always the best at everything
• May struggle with forming genuine connections with others, as they may view them as inferior or unimportant
• May come across as arrogant or condescending to others
• Feels the need to dominate conversations and assert their authority
• May constantly compare themselves to others, and feel the need to prove themselves as superior
• May feel threatened by others who challenge their views or ideas

Emotions associated with being bumptious

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

• Self-importance
• Arrogance
• Cockiness
• Impudence
• Overconfidence
• Conceit
• Egotism
• Boastfulness
• Hubris
• Bragging

Facial expressions associated with being bumptious

Here are some facial expressions your bumptious character may exhibit.

• Pursed lips
• Raised eyebrows
• Sneering
• Squinting eyes
• Smirking
• Nose upturned
• Arrogant smile
• Rolling eyes
• Chin jutting forward

Body language associated with being bumptious

Here is some body language your bumptious character may exhibit.

• Disregarding rules or authority figures
• Taking credit for others' work or ideas
• Talking loudly and dominating conversations
• Standing with arms crossed and chin held high
• Refusing to listen to feedback or criticism
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Bragging about accomplishments or possessions
• Ignoring social cues or personal boundaries
• Making grand gestures or exaggerated facial expressions

For detailed feedback on bumptious characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's character arc evaluator.

Behaviors associated with being bumptious

Here are some behaviors your bumptious character may exhibit.

• Interrupting others while they are speaking
• Being overly confident or arrogant in one's abilities or knowledge
• Insisting on having things done their way without compromise
• Dominating a conversation or situation without regard for others' needs or feelings
• Being condescending or patronizing towards others
• Talking over others in a conversation
• Dismissing others' opinions or ideas without consideration
• Bragging or boasting about one's accomplishments or possessions
• Acting as if one is always right or knows best

Growth and evolution of bumptious characters

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

• Develop empathy for others and become less self-centered
• Develop a more humble and respectful attitude towards others
• Learn to listen more and talk less
• Develop a more nuanced understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses
• Develop a greater sense of responsibility and accountability for their actions
• Learn to control their impulses and be less impulsive and reactive
• Become more self-aware and reflective
• Learn to work collaboratively with others instead of always wanting to be in charge
• Learn to appreciate and value the contributions of others

Stereotypes of bumptious characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical bumptious character like these examples.

• Being argumentative and confrontational
• Talking down to others
• Being insensitive to social cues and boundaries
• Lack of self-awareness and empathy
• Ignoring or belittling others' opinions and feelings
• Interrupting and dominating conversations
• Arrogance and overconfidence
• Making assumptions and generalizations without evidence
• Exaggerating their accomplishments and abilities

Negatives of being bumptious

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

• Bumptious characters may be too quick to judge others and dismiss alternative viewpoints, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings.
• They may come across as arrogant or boastful, which can turn off other characters and readers alike.
• Bumptious characters tend to overestimate their own abilities and accomplishments.
• Their behavior can be seen as obnoxious or irritating, causing others to avoid or resent them.

Positives of being bumptious

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

• They are not easily deterred by obstacles or setbacks.
• Bumptious individuals are often charismatic and can be very persuasive.
• They tend to be very proactive and take charge of situations.
• Bumptious people can inspire others with their enthusiasm and energy.
• Bumptious people are often seen as leaders and can be very influential.
• They have a strong sense of self and are not easily swayed by others.
• Bumptious individuals are often goal-oriented and driven to succeed.
• Bumptious people are confident in their abilities and opinions.
• They are not afraid to take risks and try new things.

Verbal expressions of bumptious characters

Here are some potential expressions used by bumptious characters.

• Refusing to admit mistakes or faults
• Talking about oneself too much
• Failing to listen actively to others
• Ignoring or belittling others' opinions or ideas
• Dominating conversations or group discussions
• Being argumentative or confrontational
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Using dismissive or condescending language
• Bragging about one's achievements excessively

Relationships of bumptious characters

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

• They may enjoy being the center of attention, and may manipulate situations or conversations to ensure they are in the spotlight.
• They may come across as arrogant or boastful, frequently bragging about their accomplishments.
• Bumptious people may struggle with maintaining long-term relationships, as their behavior can be off-putting to others.
• They may seek to control situations and people around them, becoming frustrated or angry when things don't go their way.
• Bumptious people often dominate conversations and tend to talk over others.
• Bumptious individuals may struggle with empathy, often disregarding the feelings or needs of others.

Examples from books of characters who are bumptious

• Lady Catherine de Bourgh from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Darcy from "Bridget Jones's Diary" by Helen Fielding
• Captain Ahab from "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville
• Dolores Umbridge from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Uriah Heep from "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens
• Draco Malfoy from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Writing exercises for writing bumptious characters

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

• Write a scene where your character interrupts someone else mid-sentence to share their own opinion or experience.
• Write a scene where your character exaggerates their abilities or accomplishments to impress someone else.
• Write a scene where your character takes charge of a situation without considering the opinions or feelings of others.
• Write a scene where your character boasts about their accomplishments, even if it's not relevant to the conversation.
• Write a scene where your character belittles or mocks someone else's ideas or beliefs.
• Create a situation where your character takes credit for someone else's work.
• Create a dialogue where your character constantly talks over others, dismissing their ideas.
• Create a situation where your character refuses to admit they are wrong, even when presented with evidence.
• Create a dialogue where your character assumes they know better than everyone else and talks down to others.