Character Trait: Censorious

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Censorious refers to a tendency to be severely critical of others, often with a judgmental and fault-finding attitude. A censorious person is quick to point out the flaws and shortcomings of others, and may be overly strict in their expectations of others. They may also be inclined to pass harsh judgments on people or situations without taking all the facts into consideration.

Possible causes of being censorious

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

• Perfectionism that causes them to hold themselves and others to high standards
• Strict upbringing or religious beliefs that emphasize judgment and morality
• Traumatic experiences that have caused them to become defensive and critical of others
• Fear of losing control or being vulnerable, leading to a need to control and criticize others
• Lack of exposure to diverse perspectives, leading to a narrow-minded view of the world
• Low self-esteem or insecurity that leads to projecting their own flaws onto others

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

Behaviors associated with being censorious

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

• Assuming a moral superiority over others and acting as if they are the sole authority on what is right or wrong
• Being quick to judge others without considering their perspective or motivations
• Engaging in shaming, name-calling, or other forms of verbal or emotional abuse to get their point across
• Attempting to control or restrict what others can say or do
• Criticizing or condemning others for their beliefs, actions, or speech
• Refusing to listen to or consider opposing viewpoints
• Creating an atmosphere of fear or intimidation in order to silence dissenting opinions

Attitudes associated with being censorious

You may be able to show censorious through their attitudes.

• Intolerant
• Critical
• Self-righteous
• Judgmental
• Authoritarian
• Controlling
• Disapproving
• Narrow-minded
• Condescending

Thoughts and struggles associated with being censorious

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

• A censorious character may constantly judge others and feel superior to them.
• They may be overly critical of themselves, constantly striving for perfection and becoming frustrated when they fall short.
• They may struggle with controlling their emotions, particularly when they feel that others are not meeting their expectations.
• They may struggle with trusting others, believing that they are the only ones who can make the "right" decisions.
• They may have a tendency to micromanage or control situations, believing that their way is the only correct way.
• They may have strict moral or ethical codes that they expect others to follow.
• They may have difficulty accepting criticism, seeing it as a personal attack rather than an opportunity for growth.

Emotions associated with being censorious

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

• Unforgiving
• Picky
• Critical
• Controlling
• Judgmental
• Intolerant
• Disapproving
• Self-righteous
• Condescending

Facial expressions associated with being censorious

Here are some facial expressions your censorious character may exhibit.

• Narrowing of the eyes or squinting
• Crossing arms or adopting a defensive posture
• Tightening of the jaw or clenching teeth
• Frowning or scowling
• Shaking the head in disapproval
• Tension in the forehead or between brows
• Raising eyebrows in disapproval
• Rolling the eyes
• Curling the lips or sneering

Body language associated with being censorious

Here is some body language your censorious character may exhibit.

• A tight-lipped or pursed mouth
• A rigid posture or tense body
• A furrowed brow or a scowl
• Finger-pointing or other aggressive gestures
• Rolling of the eyes or heavy sighing
• A raised chin or a tilted head
• Narrowed eyes or a penetrating stare
• Crossed arms or legs

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

Behaviors associated with being censorious

Here are some behaviors your censorious character may exhibit.

• Attempting to control or restrict what others can say or do
• Criticizing or condemning others for their beliefs, actions, or speech
• Engaging in shaming, name-calling, or other forms of verbal or emotional abuse to get their point across
• Refusing to listen to or consider opposing viewpoints
• Creating an atmosphere of fear or intimidation in order to silence dissenting opinions
• Being quick to judge others without considering their perspective or motivations
• Assuming a moral superiority over others and acting as if they are the sole authority on what is right or wrong

Growth and evolution of censorious characters

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

• Develop a greater sense of humility and learn to admit when they are wrong or have made a mistake
• Learn to forgive and move past grudges or resentment towards others
• Develop more empathy towards others and become less judgmental
• Learn to communicate more effectively and respectfully with others
• Recognize the value of diversity and work towards creating more inclusive and accepting communities
• Develop a greater sense of self-awareness and learn to recognize their own biases and prejudices
• Learn to recognize and appreciate different perspectives and opinions
• Overcome their own insecurities and learn to accept criticism and feedback
• Become more open-minded and willing to consider new ideas and experiences

Stereotypes of censorious characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical censorious character like these examples.

• Don't make the character overly judgmental or self-righteous, as this can come across as preachy and unrelatable to readers.
• Be mindful of the potential for the Censorious character to come across as hypocritical. Make sure their actions and beliefs are consistent and believable.
• Avoid making the Censorious character a caricature or stereotype. Instead, make them a fully realized and complex individual.
• Be careful not to make the character too rigid or inflexible in their beliefs and opinions. Allow room for growth and change over the course of the story.
• Avoid using the Censorious trait as a way to demonize or villainize the character. Instead, explore the root causes of their behavior and attitudes.
• Avoid making the Censorious character one-dimensional and purely negative. Allow them to have positive qualities and motivations as well.

Negatives of being censorious

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

• Tendency to control and suppress the speech and behavior of others
• Difficulty forming meaningful relationships due to constant criticism and judgment
• Constantly judging and criticizing others
• Lack of empathy and understanding towards others
• Hindering personal growth and development by focusing solely on the faults of others
• Being overly opinionated and unaccepting of different viewpoints
• Creating a toxic environment for creative expression and free thinking

Positives of being censorious

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

• Censorious people are often very passionate and committed to their beliefs and values, which can make them strong advocates for causes they believe in.
• Censorious individuals are often very detail-oriented and attentive, allowing them to catch mistakes and identify areas that need improvement.
• They tend to have high standards and expectations for themselves and others, which can motivate those around them to strive for excellence.
• Their critical eye can help them identify potential problems or issues before they become serious, allowing them to take action and prevent negative outcomes.

Verbal expressions of censorious characters

Here are some potential expressions used by censorious characters.

• "I don't approve of that behavior."
• "I can't believe you did/said that."
• "You're going to regret this."
• "You're setting a bad example."
• "That's not appropriate."
• "That's not how things are done."
• "Who do you think you are?"
• "You should be ashamed of yourself."
• "You need to be more responsible."

Relationships of censorious characters

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

• Censorious people may struggle to accept others for who they are and may try to change them to fit their ideals.
• Censorious people may struggle to maintain healthy boundaries with others and may overstep or intrude on others' personal lives.
• They may struggle to give others the benefit of the doubt or to see things from their perspective.
• They may have difficulty forming close relationships because they are always looking for flaws in others.
• Censorious people may come across as controlling or authoritarian in their interactions with others.
• Censorious people may have a tendency to lecture others or to be condescending in their communication.
• They may be quick to judge others and hold them to high standards.
• Censorious people may frequently criticize others for their behavior, speech, or beliefs.
• They may be sensitive to criticism themselves and may react strongly to any perceived criticism from others.

Examples from books of characters who are censorious

• Mrs. Reed from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Mrs. Norris from "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen
• Miss Minchin from "A Little Princess" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Reverend Mr. Collins from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Miss Bates from "Emma" by Jane Austen
• Aunt Norris from "Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen
• Dolores Umbridge from "Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix" by J.K. Rowling
• Miss Havisham from "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

Writing exercises for writing censorious characters

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

• Create a dialogue where your character expresses their disapproval of a controversial topic such as politics, religion, or social issues.
• Write a monologue where your character describes how they believe things should be done and how others are doing it wrong.
• Write a scene where your character is criticizing someone else's work, appearance, or behavior.
• Create a character who is unable to see the positive qualities in others and always focuses on their flaws and shortcomings.
• Write a monologue where your character defends their critical nature and argues that it is necessary for progress and improvement.
• Develop a scene where your character is in a position of authority and uses their power to impose their beliefs and values on others.
• Develop a scene where your character is judging someone based on their social status, race, or ethnicity.
• Write a story where your character is unable to form meaningful relationships due to their tendency to criticize and find fault in others.
• Create a character who is a self-proclaimed expert in a particular field and constantly corrects others who have different opinions or beliefs.