Character Trait: Compassionate

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Compassionate is a character trait that describes someone who is empathetic and caring towards others. A compassionate person is able to understand the feelings and emotions of others, and is willing to take action to help alleviate their suffering or discomfort. They are often described as having a big heart and being selfless in their actions. Compassion is an important trait to consider when creating characters, as it can add depth and complexity to their personality.

Possible causes of being compassionate

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

• Exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives, leading to a greater understanding of the human experience
• Having a strong moral or spiritual foundation that emphasizes kindness, generosity, and compassion
• Practicing mindfulness and self-reflection, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and others
• Being involved in helping professions, such as healthcare, social work, or education, which require a high level of compassion and empathy
• Being naturally sensitive and attuned to the emotions and needs of others
• Being raised in a nurturing and caring environment with positive role models
• Personal experiences with adversity or suffering that has fostered empathy and compassion for others

For detailed feedback on compassionate characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being compassionate

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

• Expressing kindness and understanding towards others, even in difficult situations
• Offering help or support to those in need
• Listening to others without interrupting or judging them
• Showing empathy towards others' situations and feelings
• Being patient and understanding with others' mistakes or shortcomings
• Respecting others' perspectives and opinions even if they differ from your own

Attitudes associated with being compassionate

You may be able to show compassionate through their attitudes.

• Patience and tolerance
• Empathy towards others
• Willingness to help and support
• Sensitivity to others' needs and feelings
• Open-mindedness and willingness to learn
• Non-judgmental approach
• Kindness and understanding
• Forgiveness and acceptance
• Selflessness and putting others first

Thoughts and struggles associated with being compassionate

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

• They may also struggle with feelings of guilt or inadequacy when they are unable to help someone in need.
• A compassionate character is deeply empathetic, often feeling the emotions of others as if they were their own.
• They may struggle with feelings of anger or frustration towards those who perpetuate harm or injustice towards others.
• Their compassion may extend to all living beings, and they may feel a sense of responsibility to help those who are suffering.
• They may struggle with setting boundaries and prioritizing their own needs, as they have a strong desire to help others.
• Compassionate characters often seek to understand the root causes of problems and work towards finding solutions that benefit everyone involved.

Emotions associated with being compassionate

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

• Tenderness
• Understanding
• Kindness
• Supportiveness
• Forgiveness
• Generosity
• Selflessness
• Sensitivity
• Empathy

Facial expressions associated with being compassionate

Here are some facial expressions your compassionate character may exhibit.

• Soft, caring eyes
• A relaxed brow
• A concerned furrow of the brow when listening to someone's problems
• Tears of empathy or sympathy
• A slight tilt of the head to show interest
• A gentle smile
• A gentle touch or pat on the hand or arm
• A gentle nod to show understanding
• A warm hug

Body language associated with being compassionate

Here is some body language your compassionate character may exhibit.

• Maintaining eye contact to convey empathy and concern
• Taking the time to listen actively and attentively to the person's concerns
• Soft and gentle facial expressions, such as a warm smile, relaxed eyebrows, and soft eyes
• Nodding the head in agreement or understanding
• Using a calm and soothing tone of voice
• Offering words of encouragement and support
• Showing open and relaxed body posture, such as uncrossed arms and legs
• Gentle touches, such as a pat on the back or a hug
• Leaning forward slightly towards the person in need

For detailed feedback on compassionate characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's critique report.

Behaviors associated with being compassionate

Here are some behaviors your compassionate character may exhibit.

• Showing empathy towards others' situations and feelings
• Listening to others without interrupting or judging them
• Being patient and understanding with others' mistakes or shortcomings
• Offering help or support to those in need
• Respecting others' perspectives and opinions even if they differ from your own
• Expressing kindness and understanding towards others, even in difficult situations

Growth and evolution of compassionate characters

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

• Learn to understand and empathize with others' struggles and perspectives
• Become more forgiving and open-minded towards those who have wronged them or others
• Develop a stronger sense of selflessness and prioritizing the needs of others over their own desires
• Learn to set healthy boundaries and communicate effectively with others while still maintaining their compassion
• Move from passive empathy to active compassion by taking action to help others in need
• Develop a greater sense of emotional maturity and resilience in dealing with difficult situations

Stereotypes of compassionate characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical compassionate character like these examples.

• The "overly emotional" stereotype where the compassionate character is constantly in tears or overwhelmed by their emotions.
• The "doormat" stereotype where the compassionate character allows others to walk all over them without standing up for themselves.
• The "martyr complex" where the compassionate character sacrifices their own well-being or needs for others to the point of self-harm.
• The "perfect angel" stereotype where the compassionate character is flawless and without any negative traits or flaws.
• The "savior complex" where the compassionate character feels the need to rescue or fix others without their consent or input.

It's important to remember that compassionate characters can have flaws and challenges just like any other character, and that true compassion involves respecting boundaries and taking care of oneself as well as others.

Negatives of being compassionate

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

• Ignoring or minimizing one's own emotions and needs in favor of focusing solely on others.
• Feeling overwhelmed by the suffering of others, leading to emotional distress and compassion fatigue.
• Being seen as weak or overly emotional by others, which can lead to dismissal or invalidation of one's perspective.
• Difficulty setting boundaries and saying no, which can result in being taken advantage of or being in toxic relationships.
• Overextending oneself to help others, leading to burnout and neglect of personal needs.

Positives of being compassionate

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

• They tend to be more understanding and patient when dealing with difficult situations or people.
• Compassionate characters are empathetic and sensitive to the feelings of others.
• They are often able to diffuse tense situations and create a sense of calm.
• Compassionate characters are generally well-liked and respected by those around them.
• They have a strong sense of morality and are guided by a desire to do good for others.
• They are often willing to put the needs of others before their own, making them great team players.

Verbal expressions of compassionate characters

Here are some potential expressions used by compassionate characters.

• "I appreciate you sharing your feelings with me."
• "I understand how you feel."
• "I care about you."
• "I'm sorry you're going through this."
• "I want to make things better for you."
• "Let me know if there's anything I can do."
• "How can I help?"
• "I'm here for you."

Relationships of compassionate characters

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

• They may be more likely to volunteer or work in helping professions such as healthcare or social work.
• Compassionate people tend to have a strong desire to help others.
• Compassionate people may have a strong sense of social justice and may speak up against injustice or discrimination.
• Compassionate people may be more forgiving and understanding of others' mistakes and flaws.
• They are often empathetic and able to understand the feelings and perspectives of those around them.
• They may have a tendency to put others' needs before their own and may struggle with setting healthy boundaries.
• Compassionate people may be seen as good listeners who are willing to provide emotional support to others.

Examples from books of characters who are compassionate

• Augustus Waters from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Hazel Grace Lancaster from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Oskar Schell from "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" by Jonathan Safran Foer
• Lennie Small from "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck
• Jean Valjean from "Les Misérables" by Victor Hugo
• Matilda Wormwood from "Matilda" by Roald Dahl
• Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Liesel Meminger from "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee

Writing exercises for writing compassionate characters

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

• Write a scene where your character encounters someone who is in need. This could be a stranger on the street, a friend who is going through a tough time, or a family member who needs help. Show how your character responds and how they use their compassion to help the other person.
• Consider the obstacles that your character might face when trying to be compassionate. For example, they might face criticism from others who don't understand their motives, or they might struggle with their own self-doubt. Use these challenges to create tension and conflict in your story.
• Consider the people in your own life who you consider to be compassionate. What traits do they possess? How do they behave? Use these observations to create a realistic and nuanced character.
• Start by creating a character who is in a difficult situation. It could be a personal crisis, a challenge in their career, or a problem in their community. Think about how your compassionate character could help them.
• Explore the backstory of your character. What experiences have they had that have shaped their worldview and their ability to be compassionate? Write a scene or a character sketch that delves into their past.