History WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds / Literature

* FrankensteinsMonster (in [[Literature/{{Frankenstein}} the original novel]], that is). All of his rage against man, and against Victor Frankenstein in particular, would be gone if just 'one person bothered to look past his macabre appearance and associate with him. But HumansAreBastards, [[DownerEnding so]]... F[[Film/MaryShelleysFrankenstein The 1994 movie]] based on the novel ''did'' manage to get that part right, with the motivations of the monster laid bare.

* The Bane (real name Pearlpelt) from ''TheUnderlandChronicles.'' His father killed his other children so Pearlpelt could have more milk and grow stronger. His parents killed each other in a fight, and he saw his mother lying dead with her innards spilled over the ground. To make matters worse, almost all the humans shun him because he's the Bane, and many of his fellow [[YouDirtyRat rats]] honor him and want him to be their king. Eventually, he goes completely off the deep end, becoming an EvilAlbino and a great [[ANaziByAnyOtherName Hitler allegory.]]

* Ineluki the Storm King, the BigBad of TadWilliams' ''MemorySorrowAndThorn''. It is said that he was the brightest light the [[TheFairFolk Sithi]] had ever known and, had things been different, he might have led them out of their exile and into a new golden age. Instead, he went [[TheseAreThingsManWasNotMeantToKnow down dark paths]], sacrificing [[SelfMadeOrphan his family]], [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope his soul]], and ultimately, [[DangerousForbiddenTechnique his life]] to defend his people against the depredations of [[HumansAreBastards humanity]]. Even after death, his hatred sustained him, turning him into a [[TheUndead dark spirit]] that seeks now to return ''everything'' to Unbeing in revenge for his suffering. In the end, this turns out to be the key to his defeat.

* Trashcan Man in ''TheStand'' plays a role quite similar to Gollum in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', which makes sense, seeing how the latter was a big inspiration for the former. He actually destroys [[spoiler:the entire [[{{Mordor}} Evil Realm of Las Vegas, turning nearby states into radiation zones]]]] to prove his loyalty to Flagg by bringing him [[spoiler:[[DeusExNukina the Big Fire]]]] to destroy the people of Boulder. This only occurs because Flagg promised him protection from the voices in his head of the people in his hometown who used to tease him for his insanity and {{pyromania|c}}. When one of Flagg's minions use the same language to insult Trash, he snaps and [[spoiler:blows up an airfield, and flees into the desert with a price on his head.]]

* Gollum in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''. After centuries of misery and torment, he nearly destroys the quest (dooming Middle Earth to tyranny) because of a HeelFaceDoorSlam. Ironically, [[BreakTheCutie Frodo]] [[spoiler:knowingly claims the ring after suffering months of psychological torment because of it]]. Fortunately, [[DramaticIrony the quest would have failed]] without his [[ProphecyTwist attempt to prevent it]]. Bilbo, Frodo, and Sam taking pity on Gollum was [[BecauseDestinySaysSo necessary]] for the Ring's destruction; and expressly choosing ''not'' to attack and kill him on four separate occasions, even on the slopes of Mount Doom...

* [[Literature/HarryPotter Barty Crouch Jr.]]. He's a WellDoneSonGuy with a father who never cared about him whatsoever (until Barty Sr. briefly reveals in a moment of clarity that he ''did'' care, and regretted not showing it), who loved his wife and [[WhenYouComingHomeDad work]] far, far more than his own son. He's also incredibly brilliant, one of the few characters to get twelve Outstanding [=OWLs=] in the series (not even ''Hermione'' got twelve Outstandings), probably got all Outstandings on his [=NEWTs=], too, possibly just to please his father. After failing to receive the love and approval of his father, he joined the very faction his father despised, finding approval and a father-figure in Voldemort. Crouch was then sent to prison with little consideration by his father, who proclaimed that he [[IHaveNoSon had no son]]. He's well aware that his father saved him from Azkaban and eternal MindRape via Dementors because his mother begged him to save their son. She herself was dying. The only parent who loved him gave up her life for him and died, and by this point, Crouch was already halfway to madness. It's strongly implied that being under the Imperius Curse for too long has the same effect as MindRape, and he was under one for thirteen solid years thanks to his own unloving father. It's no wonder he stayed very loyal to Voldemort and helped with his ploy to get Harry killed and killed his own father.
** You know what makes it worse? He ultimately receives a FateWorseThanDeath.
** Also, Merope. What she did to Tom Riddle Sr. was absolutely disgusting, but she was abused through most of her life by her father and brother, who were the wizard equivalent of white trash.

* [[spoiler: Amy Dunne]] in ''Literature/GoneGirl''. Though we don't see it firsthand, there is heavy implication that [[spoiler: she's been psychologically abused all her life by her parents, who created the fictional character of 'Amazing Amy' who always did everything right and who the real Amy never had a hope of living up to.]]

* A central theme in ''TheLeftHandOfGod'' trilogy is Redeemer Bosco trying to invoke this trope in Thomas Cale -- taking him in to be raised in the harsh, abusive environment of the Sanctuary of the Redeemers while giving him TrainingFromHell to prepare him, then, when he's escaped and captured again, ensuring he sees himself betrayed by the one he loves and has his view of humanity crushed -- because he believes Cale to be the Angel of Death, sent by {{God}} to wipe out humanity for its sins.

* [[Literature/Carrie]] from the book of the same name by Stephen King. She was the ButtMonkey for her entire school life, and at home, her mother beat her, verbally abused her, and locked her in a small closet for up to a day at a time. And she weathered all of it. When she found out that she had telekinetic powers, she exercised them to make them stronger, but not to get revenge. She never even contemplates revenge. But finally, one last, cruel prank goes too far, and the poor girl snaps, taking out of all of her pain and misery on the town around her.

* {{Carrie}} from the book of the same name by Stephen King. She was the ButtMonkey for her entire school life, and at home, her mother beat her, verbally abused her, and locked her in a small closet for up to a day at a time. And she weathered all of it. When she found out that she had telekinetic powers, she exercised them to make them stronger, but not to get revenge. She never even contemplates revenge. But finally, one last, cruel prank goes too far, and the poor girl snaps, taking out of all of her pain and misery on the town around her.

* [[spoiler: Amy Dunne]] in ''Literature/Gone Girl''. Though we don't see it firsthand, there is heavy implication that [[spoiler: she's been psychologically abused all her life by her parents, who created the fictional character of 'Amazing Amy' who always did everything right and who the real Amy never had a hope of living up to.]]

* In one DinoBuzatti short story, ''The Poor little boy'', we are told the typical day of Dolfi, a sickly small dark-haired 5 years old boy who always get bullied around by his healthier, blonde classmates. This day, he shows up at the park with a brand new pop gun and -for once- they let him play war with them... Only to play a cruel prank on him, beat him, and break his toy. And to make things worst, he gets yelled at by his mother because he got his clothes dirty. As a friend of his mother concludes : ''Oh! These children! They make a big deal out of everything! Said the other lady annoyed to seem them leave. Well, goodbye then, [[spoiler:Mrs. Hitler!]]''

* Ronald Waldstein from ''Literature/TimeRiders''. His wife, Eleanor, and son, Gabriel, both died. [[spoiler:Literally wanting to see the world ruined is still nowhere near justified, but he implied to be acting on something else too.]]

* Ari from the ''MaximumRide'' books. He was born a sweet, innocent child, but he grew up in the shadow of [[spoiler:[[LukeIAmYourFather his half-sister]]]], Max. He was turned into a WolfMan by scientists, and was subject to constant genetic enhancements afterward, eventually becoming a hideous freak. [[spoiler:In the end, though, he gets a HeelFaceTurn--but [[RedemptionEqualsDeath too late]].]]

* [[TheElricSaga Elric of Melniboné]] just can't get a break. Every time he kills it makes him stronger and it also makes him hate himself more. On top of that every girl he loves (each of whom wants to wrap him in the proverbial blanket and feed him the proverbial soup) dies, which usually leads to him needing to wreak revenge on someone. And kill them with his sword and take their soul, and then hate himself. It's a vicious woobie cycle.

* Finneus from ''Literature/ChameleonMoon'' is one of these. [[spoiler: If he feels any negative emotion whatsoever, he creates explosions. Forcing himself to be happy all the time has put him in a permanent state of shell shock.]]

* A central theme in ''TheLeftHandOfGod'' trilogy is Redeemer Bosco trying to invoke this trope in Thomas Cale -- taking him in to be raised in the harsh, abusive environment of the Sanctuary of the Redeemers while giving him TrainingFromHell to prepare him, then, when he's escaped and captured again, ensuring he sees himself betrayed by the one he loves and has his view of humanity crushed -- because he believes Cale to be the Angel of Death, sent by {{God}} to wipe out humanity for its sins.

* [[Literature/HarryPotter Barty Crouch Jr.]]. He's a WellDoneSonGuy with a father who never cared about him whatsoever, who loved his wife and [[WhenYouComingHomeDad work]] far, far more than his own son. He's also incredibly brilliant, one of the few characters to get twelve Outstanding [=OWLs=] in the series (not even ''Hermione'' got twelve Outstandings), probably got all Outstandings on his [=NEWTs=], too, possibly just to please his father. After failing to receive the love and approval of his father, he joined the very faction his father despised, finding approval and a father-figure in Voldemort. Crouch was then sent to prison with little consideration by his father, who proclaimed that he [[IHaveNoSon had no son]]. He's well aware that his father saved him from Azkaban and eternal MindRape via Dementors because his mother begged him to save their son. She herself was dying. The only parent who loved him gave up her life for him and died, and by this point, Crouch was already halfway to madness. It's strongly implied that being under the Imperius Curse for too long has the same effect as MindRape, and he was under one for thirteen solid years thanks to his own unloving father. It's no wonder he stayed very loyal to Voldemort and helped with his ploy to get Harry killed and killed his own father.

** [[DepravedBisexual Jame]] [[PsychopathicManchild Gumb]] is implied to be one. Hannibal himself states "Buffalo Bill wasn't born a criminal; he was made one by years of systematic abuse]]."

* ''{{Dragonlance}}'': Raistlin Majere has a life that progressively increases in Suck, until he decides that he's going to take vengeance by becoming a '''[[AGodAmI GOD]]'''. And he does it, too. [[spoiler:After he finds out that his godhood will destroy all of creation, leaving only himself in an empty universe, he...does exactly the same thing.]]

* A central theme in ''TheLeftHandOfGod'' trilogy is Redeemer Bosco trying to invoke this trope in Thomas Cale -- taking him in to be raised in the harsh, abusive environment of the Sanctuary of the Redeemers while giving him TrainingFromHell to prepare him, then, when he's escaped and captured again, ensuring he sees himself betrayed by the one he loves -- because he believes Cale to be the Angel of Death, sent by {{God}} to wipe out humanity for its sins.

* Tabaea in ''[[Series/TheLegendsOfEthshar The Spell of the Black Dagger]]'' really only wanted love and acceptance. If her stepfather had managed to sober up long enough to set her up with an apprenticeship, she would have had a perfectly happy life as an honest, law-abiding citizen. She never even thought about killing anyone until she had magically absorbed the predatory instincts of several predatory animals, and she only decided to lead an uprising and take over the city because it was the only way to avoid being arrested for murder. In the end, she died trying to save her city and the world, and her archenemies referred to her, wholly unironically, as "poor little Tabaea."

* FrankensteinsMonster (in [[Literature/{{Frankenstein}} the original novel]], that is). All of his rage against man, and against Victor Frankenstein in particular, would be gone if just ''one'' person bothered to look past his macabre appearance and associate with him. But HumansAreBastards, [[DownerEnding so]]... [[Film/MaryShelleysFrankenstein The 1994 movie]] based on the novel ''did'' manage to get that part right, with the motivations of the monster laid bare.

* In one DinoBuzatti short story, ''The Poor little boy'', we are told the typical day of Dolfi, a sickly small dark-haired 5 years old boy who always get bullied around by his healthier, blonde classmates. This day, he shows up at the park with a brand new pop gun and -for once- they let him play war with them... Only to play a cruel prank on him, beat him, and break his toy. And to make things worst, he gets yelled at by his mother because he got his clothes dirty. As a friend of his mother concludes : ''Oh! These children! They make a big deal out of everything! Said the other lady annoyed to seem them leave. Well, goodbye then, [[spoiler:Mrs. Hitler!]]''

* Exploited in Robert Jordan's ''Literature/{{Wheel of Time}}''. It is revealed in the twelfth book that the Dark One's plan is to force Rand al'Thor to become this. It nearly succeeds, until Rand is saved by the mad voices in his head.

* Trashcan Man in ''TheStand'' plays a role quite similar to Gollum in ''TheLordOfTheRings'', which makes sense, seeing how the latter was a big inspiration for the former. He actually destroys [[spoiler:the entire [[{{Mordor}} Evil Realm of Las Vegas, turning nearby states into radiation zones]]]] to prove his loyalty to Flagg by bringing him [[spoiler:[[DeusExNukina the Big Fire]]]] to destroy the people of Boulder. This only occurs because Flagg promised him protection from the voices in his head of the people in his hometown who used to tease him for his insanity and {{pyromania|c}}. When one of Flagg's minions use the same language to insult Trash, he snaps and [[spoiler:blows up an airfield, and flees into the desert with a price on his head.]]

* The King in Red, from ''Literature/TwoSerpentsRise'', killed and enslaved a pantheon of gods and tore a hole a time and space after his beloved was sacrificed to feed the hungry gods.