Character Trait: Fair

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "fair" refers to the quality of being just, impartial, and reasonable. A fair person treats others equally and makes decisions based on objective criteria, without showing favoritism or discrimination. This trait is often associated with a sense of justice and the ability to see things from different perspectives, which allows fair individuals to resolve conflicts and promote harmony in their relationships and communities.

Possible causes of being fair

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

• A belief in the importance of fairness for personal and societal harmony
• Empathy and concern for others' well-being
• Upbringing or cultural values that prioritize fairness
• A strong sense of justice or morality
• A desire to be seen as trustworthy and reliable
• A desire for equality and balance in relationships and situations
• Previous successes or positive feedback from acting fairly
• A natural inclination towards impartiality and objectivity
• Personal experiences with injustice or unfairness

Behaviors associated with being fair

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

• Refraining from favoritism or playing favorites
• Treating others equally and without bias
• Avoiding discrimination or prejudice based on race, gender, religion, or other factors
• Admitting when you are wrong and taking responsibility for your actions
• Listening to all perspectives before making a decision
• Giving credit where credit is due and acknowledging the contributions of others
• Being open-minded and willing to consider different viewpoints
• Providing opportunities for all individuals to succeed and excel
• Following rules and guidelines consistently and fairly

Attitudes associated with being fair

You may be able to show fair through their attitudes.

• Willingness to listen
• Impartiality
• Transparency
• Respect for others
• Honesty
• Objectivity
• Open-mindedness
• Equality
• Ability to see multiple perspectives

Thoughts and struggles associated with being fair

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

• They may have a strong sense of right and wrong, and feel a responsibility to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.
• They may struggle with their own biases and prejudices, recognizing the importance of overcoming them in order to be truly fair.
• They may be tempted to bend the rules in order to achieve fairness, but ultimately feel conflicted about the morality of such actions.
• They may feel a sense of obligation to speak up for those who are being treated unfairly, even if it means going against their own interests.
• They may struggle with the idea of impartiality, recognizing that their own experiences and perspectives can influence their ability to be fair.
• They may struggle with the concept of forgiveness, wanting to be fair to all parties involved but also recognizing the importance of second chances.
• They may be frustrated by situations where they feel helpless to ensure fairness, and struggle with feelings of guilt or inadequacy.
• A fair character may struggle with finding the balance between justice and mercy.

Emotions associated with being fair

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

• Open-mindedness
• Impartiality
• Respect
• Objectivity
• Reasonableness
• Justice
• Honesty
• Equality
• Empathy

Facial expressions associated with being fair

Here are some facial expressions your fair character may exhibit.

• Avoiding angry or harsh expressions when resolving conflicts
• An expression of concern or empathy when dealing with difficult situations
• A slight smile or nod to show agreement or acknowledgement
• Not showing favoritism or bias towards one person over another
• Maintaining eye contact while listening and speaking
• A relaxed and open facial expression
• A furrowed brow or intense gaze when considering options and making decisions

Body language associated with being fair

Here is some body language your fair character may exhibit.

• Taking turns when speaking in group settings
• Maintaining eye contact with others
• Using open, non-threatening hand gestures
• Standing or sitting upright and relaxed
• Treating everyone equally and without favoritism
• Nodding while listening to others
• Being willing to listen to all sides of an argument before making a decision
• Avoiding defensive postures like crossing arms or legs
• Speaking in a calm, even tone of voice

Behaviors associated with being fair

Here are some behaviors your fair character may exhibit.

• Giving credit where credit is due and acknowledging the contributions of others
• Listening to all perspectives before making a decision
• Treating others equally and without bias
• Following rules and guidelines consistently and fairly
• Providing opportunities for all individuals to succeed and excel
• Being open-minded and willing to consider different viewpoints
• Refraining from favoritism or playing favorites
• Avoiding discrimination or prejudice based on race, gender, religion, or other factors
• Admitting when you are wrong and taking responsibility for your actions

Growth and evolution of fair characters

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

• Overcoming their own fears and prejudices, and becoming a more open-minded and accepting person.
• Becoming more self-aware and reflective, and using that knowledge to make better decisions.
• Developing a stronger moral compass and sense of personal integrity.
• Learning to stand up for what is right, even in the face of opposition or adversity.
• Recognizing their biases and privileges, and actively working to dismantle them.
• Learning to value diversity and appreciate the differences between people.
• Learning to listen to others and consider their perspectives before making judgments.
• Gaining a sense of justice and fairness, and using it to fight against inequality and oppression.
• Developing a sense of empathy and compassion, and using it to help those who are marginalized or disadvantaged.

Stereotypes of fair characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical fair character like these examples.

• Being too forgiving or always taking the moral high ground
• Being too predictable or one-dimensional
• Being too dependent on external validation or approval from others
• Being overly perfect or flawless in every way
• Being naive or overly trusting
• Being too passive and letting others walk all over them
• Being too self-righteous or judgmental towards others
• Being too focused on justice and forgetting about empathy or compassion
• Being too similar to other Fair characters in literature or media

Negatives of being fair

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

• Being fair can sometimes come across as being cold or distant, as emotions may not factor into decisions made.
• Being fair might lead to indecisiveness when trying to weigh all sides of a situation equally.
• Holding oneself and others to high standards of fairness can be mentally and emotionally exhausting.
• Being too fair can lead to being taken advantage of by others who may not hold the same values.

Positives of being fair

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

• It leads to more harmonious relationships and reduces conflicts.
• Fairness encourages inclusivity and diversity.
• Being fair allows individuals to make informed and objective decisions.
• It helps to establish a sense of justice and equality.
• It helps to build a positive reputation and enhances credibility.
• It encourages individuals to act with integrity and transparency.
• Being fair can lead to improved teamwork and collaboration.
• Fairness promotes trust and respect between individuals.
• Fairness promotes accountability and responsibility.

Verbal expressions of fair characters

Here are some potential expressions used by fair characters.

• "Treating everyone with respect"
• "Being honest and transparent"
• "Following the rules and regulations"
• "Giving credit where it's due"
• "Not taking advantage of others"
• "Considering all perspectives"
• "Just and impartial"
• "Equal opportunity for all"
• "Not showing favoritism"

Relationships of fair characters

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

• Fair people may have a tendency to avoid conflict and seek compromise.
• They may be uncomfortable with situations where one person has more power or influence than another.
• Fair people may struggle with making decisions that could potentially harm someone else, even if it is for the greater good.
• They strive for equality and balance in their interactions with others.
• Fair people tend to have a strong sense of justice and fairness, which can manifest in their relationships.
• They may be seen as trustworthy and reliable, as they are consistent in their treatment of others.
• They may prioritize the needs of others over their own, in an effort to maintain harmony.

Examples from books of characters who are fair

• Jane Eyre from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Hermione Granger from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Mary Lennox from "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
• Aslan from "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis
• Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Writing exercises for writing fair characters

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

• Write a scene where your character is unfairly treated themselves. How do they react? Do they seek justice or let it go?
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a decision that challenges their sense of fairness. How do they react? What values do they prioritize?
• Create a backstory for your character that explains where their sense of fairness comes from. Were they raised in a household where justice was highly valued? Did they experience a personal injustice that shaped their worldview?
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone with a very different sense of fairness. How do they navigate this difference? Do they find common ground or become more entrenched in their own beliefs?
• Write a character profile that outlines your character's sense of fairness. What behaviors or beliefs are important to them in relation to fairness? How do they prioritize fairness in their decision-making?
• Write a scene where your character witnesses an injustice happening to someone else. How do they respond? Do they take action or remain passive?
• Write a scene where your character is forced to choose between what is fair and what is legal. How do they navigate this ethical dilemma?