%% This list is NOT intended to be exhaustive; such a list would include about a third of this entire wiki. Please do not add a character-related trope to this page if it would fit better in one of the sub-categories. Thank you.
''Tropes and trope categories about setting up, fleshing out, and tearing down characters''.

Compare {{Characters}} and CharactersAndCasting (how characters are affected by being played by actors).\\
Contrast CharactersAsDevice (roles that characters can be shoved into for plot reasons).

For lists of tropes as they apply to specific fictional characters, see CharacterSheets.
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!!Tropes:
[[index]]
[floatboxright:
'''Main categories:'''
+ CharacterizationByAction
+ CharacterizationByItem
++ FoodAsCharacterization
+ CharacterizationByRelation
+ SignatureTropes

'''Related indexes:'''
+ AccentTropes
+ AgingTropes
+ AnatomyTropes
+ AttractionTropes
+ AuthorityTropes
+ BackstoryIndex
+ BadassTropes
+ BarbarianTropes
+ BodyLanguage
+ BraveryTropes
+ CharacterCalculus
+ CharacterDerailment
+ CharacterFlawIndex
+ CharacterReactionIndex
+ CynicismTropes
+ {{Dialogue}}
+ DisabilityTropes
+ DoesNotLikeThisIndex
+ EgoTropes
+ EmotionTropes
+ EvilTropes
+ ExtraversionTropes
+ FameAndReputationTropes
+ FamilyTropes
+ FearTropes
+ FictionalCultureAndNationTropes
+ FriendshipTropes
+ GenderAndSexualityTropes
+ GoalsAndObjectivesIndex
+ GoodnessTropes
+ GratitudeTropes
+ HedonismTropes
+ HobbyAndPastimeTropes
+ IdealismTropes
+ IdentityIndex
+ ImmaturityTropes
+ AnIndexOfLadiesAndGentlemen
+ IndexedAndNerdy
+ {{Indexitis}}
+ IndividualityIndex
+ IntelligenceTropes
+ InternalConflictTropes
+ IntroversionTropes
+ TheJerkIndex
+ LanguageTropes
+ LoyaltyTropes
+ LuckTropes
+ MarySueTropes
+ MaturityTropes
+ MemoryTropes
+ MoralityTropes
+ MoreThanMeetsTheEye
+ MotivationIndex
+ NamingConventions
+ NightmareFuelStationAttendant
+ OccupationTropes
+ OthernessTropes
+ PersonalAppearanceTropes
+ PhysiologyTropes
+ APoliteIndex
+ PragmatismTropes
+ PrecociousnessTropes
+ ProtectiveTropes
+ PsychologyTropes
+ RaceTropes
+ RebelTropes
+ ReligionTropes
+ AReluctantIndex
+ RoyaltyAndNobilityTropes
+ SelfishnessTropes
+ SelflessnessTropes
+ SensoryIndex
+ ShynessTropes
+ SkillsAndTrainingTropes
+ SociologyTropes
+ SolitaryTropes
+ {{Stereotype}}
+ StrengthIndex
+ ThisIndexHasHadAHardLife
+ ThisIndexIsABitch
+ ThisIndexIsCopypasted
+ TropesAboutPerverts
+ TropesOfAwkwardness
+ TropesOfInnocence
+ TropesOfWisdom
]
* AbstractApotheosis: Character becomes an abstract concept, often done after their death.
* AMFMCharacterization: Character's personality is introduced through their taste in music.
* AnimalMetaphor: Character's personality is reflected by their animal companion.
* BackportedDevelopment: Character has the development they gain over the course of the story in flashbacks.
* BornInTheWrongCentury: Character wishes they lived in a different period.
* CampfireCharacterExploration: Characters are explored while talking around a campfire.
* CharacterCheck: Character who has been hit with CharacterizationMarchesOn briefly lapses back into their original characterization.
* CharacterDepth: A measure of how "deep" a character is.
* CharacterDevelopment: A character changes and grows as they progress through the story.
* CharacterisationClickMoment: A previously undeveloped character shows the starting signs of their finalised personality and role.
* CharacterizationMarchesOn: A character's personality is different in later episodes than it was in the beginning.
* CharacterRerailment: Character has their original characterization restored after having previously been derailed beyond recognition.
* {{Chickification}}: A previously competent female character is made weaker either over time or in between adaptations.
* ChoreCharacterExploration: Characters (and the audience) learn about each other while doing chores together.
* CloserToEarth
* ClothingReflectsPersonality: Someone's clothing suits their personality.
* ContractualGenreBlindness: A character who maintains their role because of their Genre Savviness.
* CreatureOfHabit: Character who likes routine.
* CrowdPleaser: Character motivated by praise and attention.
* CuddleBug: Character who enjoys giving hugs.
* CutenessProximity: Character turns into a bowl of mush at the sight of something cute.
* DeconstructedCharacterArchetype: A character who deconstructs the archetype they seem to embody.
* DependingOnTheWriter: The way a character behaves or is treated changes depending on who is writing at the moment.
* DiscoDan: A character holds into a fad that everyone else has abandoned.
* DivergentCharacterEvolution: Two or more identical characters are redesigned and developed so that they're better distinguished.
* DrinkBasedCharacterization: Someone is characterized by the alcohol they consume.
* DynamicCharacter: A character who becomes more layered as the story progresses.
* EarthyBarefootCharacter: Character who is close to nature wears no shoes.
* ElectiveMute: A character who chooses not to speak.
* ElectiveUnintelligible: A character who chooses to be impossible to understand.
* ElementalPersonalities: Personality types stereotypically associated with certain elements.
* EliteSchoolMeansEliteBrain: A character is characterized by where they went to school.
* EstablishingCharacterMusic: A character's personality is established through music.
* EveryoneHasStandards: Every character, regardless of moral alignment or clique, has at least some level of decency.
* ExperiencedProtagonist: The main character is already an expert when the story begins.
* FieryStoic: A character with PlayingWithFire powers is calm and gentle rather than HotBlooded.
* FlatCharacter: Character who has barely if any characterization.
* ForgotFlandersCouldDoThat: Character that's been hit by {{Flanderization}} shows signs of their previous characterization.
* FriendToBugs: A character who enjoys creepy crawlies.
* FunctionalAddict: A character who doesn't let their addictions affect their ability to live their lives.
* GenreBlindness: Character doesn't seem to know how certain genres work.
* GenreRefugee: A character who looks like they don't belong in this setting at all...yet is here nonetheless.
* GenreSavvy: Character is knowledgeable about how certain genres work.
* GentlemanAndAScholar
* TheGimmick: A character that uses unconventional means to stand out from the crowd.
* GrassIsGreener: A character who longs to leave their terrible life behind to go somewhere they think is better.
* HandwritingAsCharacterization: A character's handwriting provides an insight into their personality.
* HeartTrauma: A character has something physically happen to their heart, which affects their personality in drastic ways.
* HeavenSeeker: A character whose motivation is to earn a pleasant afterlife.
* HellSeeker: A character who tries to get themselves into hell.
* HollywoodBoardGames: BoardGame-based characterization.
* IThoughtEveryoneCouldDoThat: A character has a special talent that they think everyone else is capable of doing.
* IndubitablyUninterestingIndividual: A character and their hobbies are boring when compared to even those who live quiet, uneventful lives.
* InformedWrongness: What this character did is supposed to be seen as wrong despite there being nothing to back it up.
* InHarmonyWithNature: A character who understands the resources and rhythms of nature.
* InsistsOnPaying: A character who, even when offered a freebie, insists on using their money to pay for it.
* InterpretativeCharacter: A character that can be depicted in any number of ways as long as they retain a few defining traits.
* InTheOriginalKlingon: An ethnic character who claims an invention or artwork for their own culture.
* JackOfAllTrades: A character with all the basic skills and who is able to do a little bit of everything.
* LikeADuckTakesToWater: A FishOutOfWater who quickly adapts to the new environment.
* LiteralTransformativeExperience: A character develops as a result of a physical transformation and the experiences therein.
* LoonyFriendsImproveYourPersonality: A stiff character grows in personality from hanging around annoying and eccentric people.
* MischievousBodyLanguage: A character's body language shows that they're up to something.
* MiseryBuildsCharacter: Having a character go through absolute hell as a way to strengthen them.
* MonsAsCharacterization: A character's choice of mons has deeper implications about their character.
* TheMovieBuff: A character whose defining trait is their knowledge of film lore.
* NatureLover: A character with a love of the great outdoors.
* NegativesAsAPositive: Negative traits are portrayed in a positive light
* OfficeGolf: A high-powered boss plays golf in the office.
* OnceDoneNeverForgotten: A character has done something in the past that no one will forget -- or let ''them'' forget.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: If a character is behaving outside his usual characterization, the situation must be serious.
* OutOfCharacterMoment: Character does something outside his usual characterization.
* {{Pacifist}}: A character who is opposed to the use of violence to resolve disputes or gain advantages.
* PastimesProvePersonality: A character's personality can be defined based on their favorite pastime.
* PlayingCatchWithTheOldMan: A simple game of catch establishes a parent, their child, and their relationship.
* PersonalityPowers: Superpowers that align with the characters' personalities.
* PowerStereotypeFlip: A character's personality is different from what is expected from their superpowers.
* PuttingOnMyThinkingCap: A character has something they do that helps them think.
* TheQuarterback: The character who is captain of the football team.
* RealAwardFictionalCharacter: A Non-HistoricalDomainCharacter is given a RealLife award or military decoration.
* ReplacementFlatCharacter: After a FlatCharacter becomes more fleshed out, another Flat Character fills in their previous role.
* RidiculouslySuccessfulFutureSelf: A character travels through time and finds out that they will eventually become very successful.
* RoundedCharacter: A detailed character, complete with depth and complexity.
* RulesLawyer: A character who knows all the rules — backwards, forwards, sideways, and upside down — and uses that to their advantage.
* SelfAppliedNickname: A character adopts a nickname and insists that others refer to them by it.
* TheShameless: A character has no sense of shame.
* ASharedSuffering: Two characters bond over shared problems.
* TheSilentBob: A character who never talks, but can hold an entire conversation without saying a word.
* SomethingAboutARose: A character who associates themselves with roses.
* StaticCharacter: A character who doesn't go through CharacterDevelopment.
* SurvivalMantra: A reassuring phrase that a character speaks to gain confidence.
* SweetBaker: Character with goodly qualities associated with food, such as sweet temper.
* TemporarilyExaggeratedTrait: An individual character trait is highlighted for one episode.
* {{Thememobile}}: A vehicle based on a character's theme.
* TooMuchAlike: Two characters don't get along because of their similarities.
* TheTragicRose: Character who is a rose-themed [[TheWoobie Woobie]].
* TransformationConventions: The object or being a character transforms into fits their personality.
* TheTroublemaker: A character regularly causes problems for their friends and family.
* TheUnwittingComedian: A character who is the funniest person around even though they aren't trying to be funny.
* {{Ukefication}}: A previously competent male character is made more emotional and effeminate in a fanfic, often to play as "the bottom half" of a same-sex pairing.
* WakeUpCall: A character gets put through some event that forces them to grow or otherwise get their act together.
* WorkHardPlayHard: A character who is serious and hard working at their job, but loves to party and have fun when at home.
* WoundedHeroWeakerHelper: A character is injured and must be healed by a weaker or more inexperienced character.
* WriteWhoYouHate: A character is based off a RealLife person the author hates or hated.
* WriteWhoYouKnow: A character is based off a RealLife person the author knows or knew.
* WrongGenreSavvy: GenreSavvy character doesn't realize the story they're a part of isn't in the genre they thought it was.
[[/index]]
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