Character Trait: Burdensome

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait burdensome refers to a person or thing that is excessively heavy, difficult to manage, or causing a great deal of trouble or worry. A burdensome character might be one who is weighed down by emotional baggage, responsibilities, or difficult circumstances, leading them to struggle with their daily life. This trait can also apply to objects or situations that are cumbersome or problematic to deal with, such as a burdensome task or an unwieldy piece of equipment. Overall, a burdensome character is one who adds complexity and challenge to a story, bringing depth and realism to the narrative.

Possible causes of being burdensome

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

• Past traumatic experiences or abuse
• Insecurity or anxiety
• Unresolved emotional or psychological issues
• Negative thought patterns or belief systems
• Fear of abandonment or rejection
• Chronic stress or burnout
• Physical or mental health issues
• Overprotective or controlling upbringing
• Low self-esteem or lack of confidence

For detailed feedback on burdensome characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's manuscript critique service.

Behaviors associated with being burdensome

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

• Being critical and judgmental of others while not acknowledging one's own faults
• Constantly relying on others for help and support
• Creating drama and causing unnecessary stress for others
• Taking advantage of others' kindness and generosity
• Being selfish and self-centered
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's own actions and mistakes
• Being unreliable and flaky
• Being demanding and expecting others to cater to one's needs
• Complaining excessively and being negative

Attitudes associated with being burdensome

You may be able to show burdensome through their attitudes.

• Resentment
• Isolation
• Shame
• Anger
• Guilt
• Inadequacy
• Powerlessness
• Worthlessness
• Fear
• Frustration
• Hopelessness
• Self-doubt
• Dependence
• Helplessness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being burdensome

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

• Feeling guilty or ashamed for not being able to handle everything on their own
• Fear of letting others down or disappointing them
• Struggling to balance their own needs and desires with those of others
• Tendency to put the needs of others before their own, even at a personal cost
• Questioning the purpose of their struggles and wondering if it's all worth it
• Constantly feeling weighed down by responsibilities and obligations
• Difficulty in asking for help or accepting it when offered
• Feeling trapped or stuck in their situation, unable to escape their burdens
• Self-doubt and questioning whether they are strong enough to handle their responsibilities

Emotions associated with being burdensome

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

• Guilt
• Insecurity
• Worthlessness
• Shame
• Frustration
• Unworthiness
• Resentment
• Self-doubt
• Helplessness

Facial expressions associated with being burdensome

Here are some facial expressions your burdensome character may exhibit.

• A frown or scowl
• A slumped posture
• A look of exhaustion or weariness
• A lack of eye contact
• A furrowed brow
• Eyes that are downcast or avoided
• A lack of enthusiasm or energy
• Pursed lips
• A deep sigh or heavy breathing

Body language associated with being burdensome

Here is some body language your burdensome character may exhibit.

• Taking up too much space
• Heavy sighs
• Fidgeting with hands or objects
• Slumped shoulders
• Avoiding eye contact
• Leaning on others for support
• Complaining frequently
• Moving slowly or lethargically
• Appearing tired or exhausted

For detailed feedback on burdensome characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's manuscript critique service.

Behaviors associated with being burdensome

Here are some behaviors your burdensome character may exhibit.

• Complaining excessively and being negative
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's own actions and mistakes
• Creating drama and causing unnecessary stress for others
• Taking advantage of others' kindness and generosity
• Being demanding and expecting others to cater to one's needs
• Being unreliable and flaky
• Being critical and judgmental of others while not acknowledging one's own faults
• Being selfish and self-centered
• Constantly relying on others for help and support

Growth and evolution of burdensome characters

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

• Challenging their own beliefs and biases, leading to personal growth and a broader perspective.
• Recognizing their own flaws and weaknesses, and actively working to improve themselves.
• Developing empathy and understanding for others, leading to a greater sense of compassion and connection.
• Taking risks and stepping outside of their comfort zone, leading to new experiences and opportunities.
• Learning to trust others and rely on them for support instead of trying to carry everything alone.
• Learning to prioritize and manage their responsibilities more effectively, leading to a greater sense of control and accomplishment.
• Letting go of past traumas or grudges and moving towards forgiveness and healing.
• Overcoming their own self-doubt and becoming more confident in their abilities and decisions.
• Learning to express themselves more openly and honestly, leading to deeper relationships and connections with others.

Stereotypes of burdensome characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical burdensome character like these examples.

• Avoid making the character overly pessimistic or negative about everything
• Avoid making the character too stubborn or resistant to change and growth
• Avoid making the character completely self-centered and lacking empathy for others
• Avoid making the character completely helpless and dependent on others
• Avoid making the character constantly complain and whine about their situation
• Avoid making the character too passive or lacking agency in their own story

Negatives of being burdensome

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

• They may impose their problems on others without considering the other person's feelings or capacity to help.
• Burdensome people can be overly demanding and needy, which can be exhausting for those around them.
• They may exhibit a lack of gratitude or appreciation towards those who help them, leading to resentment and frustration.
• Burdensome individuals may struggle with self-sufficiency and rely too heavily on others for emotional or practical support.

Positives of being burdensome

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

• They often have a strong sense of responsibility and are willing to take on difficult tasks to help others.
• Burdensome characters can be very empathetic and understanding, as they have likely experienced their own share of difficulties and can relate to others going through tough times.
• Burdensome characters can be very selfless, putting the needs of others before their own.
• Burdensome characters can be very resilient and strong-willed, refusing to give up even when things get tough.
• They may be great problem solvers, as they are used to dealing with challenges and finding solutions.
• They may have a great sense of humor, using comedy as a coping mechanism to deal with the stress of their burdens.
• Burdensome characters can be very loyal and committed to their friends and family.

Verbal expressions of burdensome characters

Here are some potential expressions used by burdensome characters.

• Talking excessively about one's problems or issues
• Blaming others for one's problems or mistakes
• Always asking for favors or assistance without reciprocating
• Frequently seeking attention or validation
• Constantly complaining or whining
• Making unreasonable requests or demands
• Being overly demanding or controlling
• Refusing to take responsibility for one's actions
• Being pessimistic or negative in attitude

Relationships of burdensome characters

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

• They may have a tendency to hold grudges and dwell on negative experiences, which can make it difficult for them to move past conflicts and maintain healthy relationships.
• They may have a tendency to constantly seek attention and validation from others, which can be exhausting for those around them.
• Burdensome people may tend to be overly needy and dependent on others.
• They may be highly critical of themselves and others, leading to strained relationships and interpersonal conflicts.
• Burdensome people may struggle to take responsibility for their own problems and may frequently rely on others to solve their issues.
• Burdensome people may struggle to set boundaries and may frequently overstep the boundaries of others, leading to feelings of resentment and frustration in their relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are burdensome

• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
• Gregor Samsa from "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka
• Aibileen Clark from "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Raskolnikov from "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
• Hamlet from "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Anna Karenina from "Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy

Writing exercises for writing burdensome characters

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

• Start by identifying the character's specific burden. What is weighing them down? Is it a physical or emotional burden?
• Consider the impact of the burden on the character's relationships. How does it affect their interactions with others?
• Write a scene in which the burden is temporarily lifted. How does the character react, and what does this reveal about their personality?
• Explore the origins of the burden. What events or experiences led the character to carry this weight?
• Write a scene that shows the character struggling with their burden. This could be a moment of frustration, despair, or exhaustion.
• Have the character confide in someone about their burden. How does this conversation affect their relationship?
• Write a scene in which the character attempts to rid themselves of the burden. What obstacles do they face, and do they ultimately succeed or fail?