Character Trait: Contradictory

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The contradictory character trait refers to a person who exhibits opposing or conflicting qualities or behaviors. This can manifest in various ways, such as having a strong sense of both confidence and insecurity, being fiercely independent yet craving connection, or possessing a charming exterior while harboring dark secrets. Essentially, a contradictory character is someone who embodies a paradox and can add depth and complexity to a story.

Possible causes of being contradictory

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

• Environmental factors: The environment in which a person lives can shape their beliefs and values, which can lead to a contradictory personality.
• Childhood experiences: Traumatic or inconsistent experiences during childhood can lead to a contradictory personality later in life.
• Mental health conditions: Certain mental health conditions, such as borderline personality disorder, can lead to contradictory behavior.
• Cultural influences: Different cultures have different values and beliefs, which can lead to a person having a contradictory personality if they are exposed to conflicting cultural norms.
• Genetics: Some research suggests that genetics may play a role in the development of a contradictory personality.

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

Behaviors associated with being contradictory

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

• Changing one's mind frequently
• Acting in ways that contradict one's beliefs or values
• Holding two opposing views or beliefs simultaneously
• Using sarcasm or irony to convey a different message than the one said
• Having conflicting emotions or thoughts
• Being unpredictable or inconsistent in behavior
• Saying one thing but doing another
• Being argumentative or devil's advocate

Attitudes associated with being contradictory

You may be able to show contradictory through their attitudes.

• Ambiguous
• Hypocritical
• Unpredictable
• Enigmatic
• Chaotic
• Paradoxical
• Complex
• Ironical
• Conflicted

Thoughts and struggles associated with being contradictory

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

• They may struggle with their own identity and sense of self because they feel like they are constantly changing or contradicting themselves.
• They may feel misunderstood or like they don't fit in because their thoughts and actions seem to contradict each other.
• They may struggle with conflicting beliefs or values, causing them to feel torn between two opposing viewpoints.
• They may have a fear of commitment or intimacy because they worry that they will change their mind or act in a way that goes against their own beliefs or desires.
• They may have difficulty making decisions because they see both sides of an issue and have trouble choosing which one to prioritize.
• They may have a tendency to self-sabotage by making choices that go against their own goals or desires.

Emotions associated with being contradictory

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

• Dichotomous
• Contrary
• Paradoxical
• Confounding
• Antithetical
• Hypocritical
• Ambivalent
• Confused
• Conflicted
• Two-faced
• Ironical
• Discrepant
• Self-contradictory
• Inconsistent

Facial expressions associated with being contradictory

Here are some facial expressions your contradictory character may exhibit.

• Rolling the eyes while nodding
• A furrowed brow while laughing
• Raising an eyebrow while frowning
• Smiling while shaking the head
• A quizzical or puzzled look
• A smirk while making a contradictory statement
• A hesitant half-smile

Body language associated with being contradictory

Here is some body language your contradictory character may exhibit.

• Tapping foot or fingers impatiently
• Leaning away from the person or situation
• Frowning or pursing lips
• Crossed arms or legs
• Avoiding eye contact
• Speaking in a monotone voice or using a sarcastic tone
• Shrugging or giving non-committal responses
• Rolling eyes or sighing heavily
• Shaking head while saying "yes" or nodding while saying "no"

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

Behaviors associated with being contradictory

Here are some behaviors your contradictory character may exhibit.

• Having conflicting emotions or thoughts
• Using sarcasm or irony to convey a different message than the one said
• Acting in ways that contradict one's beliefs or values
• Saying one thing but doing another
• Being unpredictable or inconsistent in behavior
• Being argumentative or devil's advocate
• Changing one's mind frequently
• Holding two opposing views or beliefs simultaneously

Growth and evolution of contradictory characters

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

• Overcoming internal conflict: The character may face internal conflict as a result of their contradictions, but through growth and development, they may learn to overcome this conflict.
• Forming more authentic relationships: As the character becomes more comfortable with their contradictions, they may form deeper and more authentic relationships with others.
• Learning to balance their contradictions: The character may learn to balance their contradictory traits, finding ways to make them work together instead of against each other.
• Changing their perspective: The character may start off with a narrow or limited perspective on the world, but as they confront their contradictions, they may broaden their perspective and understanding of themselves and others.
• Embracing vulnerability: Contradictory characters may struggle with vulnerability, but growth may involve learning to embrace vulnerability and use it as a source of strength.
• Recognizing and accepting their contradictions: The character may start by denying or hiding their contradictory traits, but as the story progresses, they may start to acknowledge and accept them.

Stereotypes of contradictory characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical contradictory character like these examples.

• Avoid relying on cliches or stereotypes when creating contradictory characters
• Avoid giving characters contradictory traits that don't make sense or are too extreme
• Avoid making contradictory traits the sole defining characteristic of a character
• Avoid creating characters that are completely one-dimensional or predictable
• Avoid making characters too perfect or too flawed
• Avoid making characters too similar to one another or to existing fictional characters

Negatives of being contradictory

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

• Can undermine credibility or trust
• Can inhibit effective communication or problem-solving
• May lead to interpersonal conflict or misunderstandings
• May confuse or frustrate others with mixed messages
• Can come across as hypocritical or insincere
• May reflect inner turmoil or insecurity

Positives of being contradictory

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

• They can add tension and conflict to the story, especially if their contradictions lead to interpersonal conflicts with other characters.
• They can challenge readers' expectations and force them to think more critically about the story and the characters.
• Contradictory characters can be complex and multi-dimensional, which can make them more interesting and engaging for readers.
• Contradictory characters can also provide opportunities for growth and development, as they may struggle to reconcile their conflicting beliefs or actions.

Verbal expressions of contradictory characters

Here are some potential expressions used by contradictory characters.

• "I can see why you think that, but..."
• "It's true that..., but..."
• "On the one hand..., but on the other hand..."
• "I see your point, but..."
• "Yes, but..."
• "Not entirely sure I agree with you there..."
• "I'm of two minds about this..."
• "However, the flip side of that is..."
• "I don't necessarily disagree, but..."

Relationships of contradictory characters

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

• They may have difficulty empathizing with others who don't share their perspectives or experiences.
• They may have a unique ability to see both sides of an issue, which can make them great mediators or problem-solvers.
• They may have a tendency to argue or debate with others, even if it's not productive or helpful.
• They may be drawn to people who challenge them or push them out of their comfort zone.
• They may find it challenging to compromise or find common ground with others who have opposing viewpoints.
• They may struggle to connect with people who have very different beliefs or values from their own.
• They may struggle with indecision or inner conflict, which can affect their relationships with others.
• They may be seen as stubborn or inflexible by others who don't understand or appreciate their contradictions.

Examples from books of characters who are contradictory

• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde from "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson
• Frankenstein's monster from "Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
• Raskolnikov from "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Writing exercises for writing contradictory characters

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

• Create a character who is both adventurous and cautious, willing to take risks but only after careful consideration of the potential consequences.
• Develop a character who is both kind-hearted and manipulative, using their charm and charisma to get what they want from others.
• Create a character that appears to be confident and self-assured but has an underlying fear or insecurity that they try to hide from others.
• Write a scene where a character is faced with conflicting emotions, such as love and hate, or joy and sorrow, and must navigate these emotions in a complex and nuanced way.
• Write a scene where a character is torn between two opposing choices, such as doing what is right versus doing what is best for them personally.
• Write a character who is both intelligent and naive, making rational decisions but still falling prey to common misconceptions or biases.
• Develop a character who is both fiercely independent and deeply reliant on others, struggling to maintain their sense of self while also seeking validation from those around them.