Character Trait: Haughty

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Haughty" refers to a person who has an excessively high opinion of themselves and acts superior to others. They often display arrogance, condescension, and an attitude of entitlement. Haughty individuals tend to believe they are better than others and may look down on those they perceive as inferior. This trait can make a character seem unapproachable, difficult to work with, and may lead to conflicts with other characters.

Possible causes of being haughty

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

• An excessive sense of entitlement or superiority over others
• Overcompensation for past failures or disappointments
• Insecurity or low self-esteem leading to compensatory behavior
• Lack of empathy or understanding of other people's perspectives
• Childhood experiences of being praised too much or never being held accountable for their behavior
• A desire for control or power over others
• Fear of vulnerability or being perceived as weak

Behaviors associated with being haughty

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

• Ignoring or belittling other people's opinions
• Overestimating one's own abilities or importance
• Using condescending or patronizing language
• Showing off one's wealth or possessions
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Talking down to others
• Refusing to admit mistakes or faults
• Treating others as inferior or unworthy of respect

Attitudes associated with being haughty

You may be able to show haughty through their attitudes.

• Believing oneself to be superior to others
• Being dismissive of others' opinions or ideas
• Looking down on others with disdain or contempt
• Refusing to admit mistakes or faults
• Feeling above the rules or laws that apply to others
• Being condescending or patronizing
• Being obsessed with status or wealth
• Being intolerant of criticism
• Having a sense of entitlement

Thoughts and struggles associated with being haughty

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

• Has difficulty admitting when they are wrong or making mistakes
• Constantly seeks validation and admiration from others
• May have a fear of failure or being seen as weak
• Struggles with empathy and understanding the perspectives of others
• Tends to be arrogant and condescending towards others
• Feels threatened by those who challenge their authority or intelligence
• Believes they are superior to others and deserves special treatment
• May have a history of being praised or rewarded for their accomplishments, leading to a sense of entitlement
• Struggles with forming genuine connections and relationships with others

Emotions associated with being haughty

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

• Disdain
• Pride
• Contempt
• Narcissism
• Conceit
• Arrogance
• Superiority
• Egotism
• Snobbery

Facial expressions associated with being haughty

Here are some facial expressions your haughty character may exhibit.

• Narrowing the eyes or giving a cold stare
• Sneering or curling the upper lip
• Puffing out the chest or standing with arms crossed
• A self-satisfied or smug smile
• Raised eyebrows
• A dismissive or condescending tone of voice
• Tightening the jaw or clenching the teeth
• Tilting the head back slightly or looking down the nose

Remember, when writing a haughty character, it's important to not only describe their physical mannerisms but also their thoughts and dialogue. This will help to fully develop the character and make them more believable.

Body language associated with being haughty

Here is some body language your haughty character may exhibit.

• Tilting head back slightly
• Standing tall with chest puffed out
• Raising eyebrows in a condescending manner
• Narrowing eyes or looking down nose
• Tightening lips or sneering
• Taking up more space than necessary
• Gesturing with a dismissive wave of the hand
• Crossing arms in front of chest
• Walking with a slow, deliberate strut

Behaviors associated with being haughty

Here are some behaviors your haughty character may exhibit.

• Overestimating one's own abilities or importance
• Ignoring or belittling other people's opinions
• Treating others as inferior or unworthy of respect
• Refusing to admit mistakes or faults
• Interrupting others while they speak
• Showing off one's wealth or possessions
• Talking down to others
• Using condescending or patronizing language

Growth and evolution of haughty characters

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

• Realize the negative impact of their haughty behavior on their relationships and work to improve it.
• Develop a sense of humility and learn to appreciate the strengths and talents of others.
• Confront their own insecurities and vulnerabilities, leading to a humbling experience that changes their perspective.
• Experience a significant loss or setback that forces them to reassess their priorities and values.
• Learn to appreciate the value of teamwork and collaboration rather than relying solely on their own abilities.
• Develop a sense of empathy towards others and learn to treat them with respect and kindness.
• Face consequences for their actions and learn to take responsibility for their mistakes.

Stereotypes of haughty characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical haughty character like these examples.

• Avoid making your haughty character completely unlikable or unsympathetic, as readers may struggle to connect with them.
• Avoid making your haughty character one-dimensional and solely defined by their arrogance.
• Avoid making your haughty character too predictable in their behavior or actions, as this can make them seem flat and boring.
• Avoid having your haughty character speak in a way that is overly formal or pretentious, unless it is necessary for their characterization.
• Avoid making your haughty character's arrogance the sole source of conflict in the story, as this can become repetitive and predictable.
• Avoid making your haughty character dismissive or condescending towards everyone they interact with.

Negatives of being haughty

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

• They may have difficulty acknowledging their own mistakes or shortcomings, leading to a lack of personal growth.
• Haughty individuals may have trouble forming genuine connections with others because they view themselves as superior.
• Their behavior can be seen as rude or disrespectful, causing others to lose respect for them.
• Haughty people tend to come off as arrogant and condescending, which can alienate others.

Positives of being haughty

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

• Haughty characters can be interesting to explore in terms of their flaws and vulnerabilities, as their arrogance may mask deeper insecurities or fears.
• They may have a strong sense of personal ambition, which can make them proactive and driven in pursuing their goals.
• They tend to have a clear sense of their own worth and importance, which can make them compelling and memorable.
• Haughty characters may be skilled at using language and body language to assert their dominance, which can create tension and conflict in a story.
• Haughty characters are often confident and self-assured, which can be appealing and inspiring to readers.
• They may be able to command respect or admiration from others, which can make them effective leaders or influencers.

Verbal expressions of haughty characters

Here are some potential expressions used by haughty characters.

• "I know better than you"
• "I don't need your approval"
• "You're beneath me"
• "I don't have time for people like you"
• "I'm always right"
• "I am superior"
• "I deserve better than this"
• "I'm above this"
• "Don't question my authority"

Relationships of haughty characters

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

• Dominant/submissive: Haughty people often see themselves as superior to others and may try to dominate and control their relationships.
• Condescending: Haughty people may adopt a condescending tone or attitude towards others, looking down on them and belittling their accomplishments or abilities.
• Dismissive: Haughty people may be dismissive of others' opinions and feelings, refusing to take them seriously or acknowledge their validity.
• Competitive: Haughty people may view relationships as a competition, always striving to come out on top and prove their superiority.

Examples from books of characters who are haughty

• Miss Havisham from "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
• Amanda from "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Tom Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Uriah Heep from "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens
• Cersei Lannister from "A Song of Ice and Fire" series by George R.R. Martin
• Lady Catherine de Bourgh from "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
• Catherine Earnshaw from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte
• Draco Malfoy from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling

Writing exercises for writing haughty characters

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

• Write a dialogue where your character interrupts and talks over others, showing their arrogance.
• Create a scene where your character dismisses someone's opinions or ideas without even considering them.
• Write a scene where your character demands special treatment or privileges because of their status or accomplishments.
• Write a monologue where your character belittles a group of people or an individual.
• Create a character who constantly brags about their accomplishments, even if they are minor.
• Create a scene where your character refuses to apologize for their mistakes or wrongdoings.
• Write a scene where your character talks down to someone they perceive as inferior.
• Write a description of your character's appearance and behavior that conveys their sense of superiority.
• Create a character who always needs to be the center of attention and gets angry if they are not.