Emotion: Indignation

When you want to write the emotion indignation, it's important to "show" the emotion your character is experiencing through their physical reactions and dialogue, rather than "tell" it. In this article we provide you with inspiration so you can avoid emotional tells and immerse your readers in your story.

Indignation is a strong feeling of anger or annoyance caused by something that is perceived as unfair or unjust. It is a sense of righteous anger that arises when one feels that their dignity or sense of right and wrong has been violated. This emotion is often accompanied by a desire to take action to rectify the perceived wrong, and may involve speaking out or taking a stand against the perceived injustice. Indignation can be a powerful motivator for characters in a story, driving them to take risks and stand up for what they believe in.

Different Types of Indignation

Here are some different types of indignation:

• Moral indignation: feeling offended by a perceived violation of ethical or moral principles.
• Social indignation: feeling outraged by a perceived injustice or unfairness in society or the community.
• Personal indignation: feeling insulted or disrespected by someone's words or actions.
• Political indignation: feeling angry or resentful about a political decision or policy.

Situations Associated with Indignation

Here are some situations where a character might experience the emotion of indignation:

• A character might feel indignation if they believe they have been unfairly treated or accused of something they did not do.
• They may feel indignation if they witness an injustice or unfairness happening to someone else.
• A character may feel indignation if they feel disrespected or undervalued by someone they know or work with.
• They may feel indignation if they are not given credit for their hard work or achievements.
• A character may feel indignation if they perceive someone as being hypocritical or insincere in their actions or words.
• They may feel indignation if they are subjected to discrimination or prejudice based on their race, gender, religion, or sexuality.
• A character may feel indignation if they are betrayed by someone they trusted or if someone breaks a promise or commitment.

Physical Reactions to Indignation

Here are some physical reactions a character experiencing indignation might have:

• Clenched fists or jaw
• Raised voice or shouting
• Narrowed eyes or intense stare
• Flared nostrils or heavy breathing
• Pacing or fidgeting
• Tense posture or rigid body language
• Pointing or gesturing aggressively
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Refusal to back down or concede points
• Arguing or debating passionately
• Expressing a sense of injustice or unfairness
• Reacting strongly to perceived slights or insults.

Keep in mind that these are just some examples, and different characters may display indignation in different ways based on their personality and situation.

Thoughts Associated with Indignation

Here are some thoughts a character experiencing indignation might have:

• How dare they treat me like this?
• I refuse to be disrespected or underestimated.
• I won't let them get away with this.
• This is outrageous and unfair.
• I deserve better than this.
• They have no right to do what they did.
• I'm not going to stand for this.
• I am so angry and frustrated right now.
• They will regret crossing me.

Atmosphere of Indignation

Here are some ways that you might reflect the emotion of indignation in the atmosphere of your scene:

• Use language that reflects the emotion of indignation, such as strong and forceful words that convey a sense of injustice or anger.
• Create a setting that is oppressive or oppressive, such as a dark alley or a cramped office. This can help to emphasize the feeling of being trapped or powerless.
• Use imagery that highlights the unfairness of the situation, such as a character standing alone against a backdrop of authority figures, or a character being surrounded by others who do not share their values.
• Include symbols or objects that reinforce the theme of indignation, such as a broken statue or a tattered flag.
• Use dialogue that highlights the conflict between characters, such as one character speaking out against injustice and another character defending the status quo.

Verbs Associated with Indignation

Here are some verbs commonly associated with the emotion of indignation:

• Condemn
• Denounce
• Object
• Accuse
• Protest
• Criticize
• Rebuke
• Challenge
• Oppose
• Disapprove
• Refute
• Resent
• Disagree
• Dispute

Emotions Before Indignation

Here are some emotions that may come before a character experiences indignation:

• Annoyance
• Frustration
• Displeasure
• Resentment
• Disappointment
• Offense
• Irritation
• Outrage
• Disgust

Emotions After Indignation

Here are some emotions that may come after a character experiences indignation:

• Frustration
• Resentment
• Disgust
• Anger
• Bitterness
• Betrayal
• Injustice
• Outrage
• Revenge

Telling Indignation Examples to Avoid

Here are some examples of telling the emotion indignation in a sentence. You should avoid things like this:

• She was feeling indignant.
• He was indignant about what she had said.
• Indignation bubbled up inside of her.
• They could sense the indignation in the air.
• She tried to hide her indignation, but it was impossible.
• He couldn't help but feel a sense of indignation at the injustice of it all.
• Her indignation was palpable.
• He tried to mask his indignation with a smile.
• They could see the indignation in her eyes.

Practical Examples of Showing Indignation

Here are some examples of showing indignation in a sentence:

• She slammed her fist on the table, her face contorting with indignation.
• His eyes widened and his nostrils flared as he read the article, his indignation building with each passing word.
• She marched out of the room, shoulders tense with indignation, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.
• His lips twisted into a sneer, his indignation palpable as he surveyed the scene before him.

Exercises for Showing Indignation

Here are some writing exercises to practice showing indignation:

• Start by brainstorming situations or scenarios that could provoke a character to feel indignation. These could be personal or social injustices, mistreatment, disrespect, or anything that goes against their values or beliefs.
• Write a scene in which your character is confronted with a situation that triggers their indignation. Show their initial reaction, their thoughts, and their physical response.
• Use dialogue to convey your character's indignation. Have them express their frustration, anger, or disappointment in a conversation with another character.
• Use body language and facial expressions to show your character's indignation. Show how their posture changes, their fists clench, or their eyes narrow when they are angry.
• Write a scene in which your character takes action to address the situation that caused their indignation. Show how they stand up for themselves or others, how they make their voice heard, or how they seek justice.
• Explore your character's backstory to understand why they react with indignation to certain situations. Show how their past experiences or beliefs shape their worldview and their reactions to injustices.

Want more help with showing emotion instead of telling? You find more help in our full thesaurus of emotions.