History WellIntentionedExtremist / Literature

* Most of the villains in ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'' are this to some degree; even the neo-Nazi faction gets a somewhat sympathetic take this way, presented as a semi-understandable (over-)reaction by "Law and Order" types to years of chaos and disaster in a dystopian future. While the story has a few straight {{Card Carrying Villain}}s as well, it emphasizes that most of the bad guys view themselves as good guys and have at least some kind of sympathetic core to their motives--Even if they often [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope go very much too far]] in implementing them. The heroes are also extremists, and the reader may not find them [[DesignatedHero so well-intentioned.]]

* In the ''Literature/{{Spaceforce}}'' books, Ashlenn's father Corusval is passing secret research to the [[TheFederation United Worlds of Earth]] because he fears the sinister [[PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny Republic of Daros]] is arming for war against the Empire and the Union. He wants the Earthers to share the Taysans' technological advantages. Jay admits that he's probably right, [[spoiler: then summarily executes him anyway.]]

%% This page has been alphabetized. Please add new examples in the correct order.

* The [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom furry]] novel ''Otters in Space'' makes this a slightly odd ZigZaggingTrope as more of the antagonist's intentions are revealed. In this universe, cats are the victims of FantasticRacism. The villain, a cat, is willing to have the protagonist killed because [[HeKnowsTooMuch she knows too much]] about her plans, and appears to have had someone disappeared before. [[spoiler:But she was actually working with the disappeared employee, and covering for her so they can stay in business together. But that business is embezzlement and smuggling people. But they're actually sending them to an UndergroundRailroad colony on Mars. But the colony is full of also-racist for-profit jerks. But the villain was trying to protect the entire planet full of people by sending them the money she was embezzling. In the end, she just ends up taking the fall and being arrested for corruption, while the colony might have to reconsider its admissions standards.]]

* Captain Nemo, the AntiHero who first appears in ''Literature/TwentyThousandLeaguesUnderTheSea'', can be said to have had genuine good intentions that made him a sympathetic character. The deaths of his family gave him a hatred of oppressive governments (especially imperialism) and a genuine concern for innocent life. Still, as one character put it, it was not his right to judge nations the way he did, via the vigilante actions he took to punish them for what he saw as injustice.
** [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Far more than you think, actually.]] He MajoredInWesternHypocrisy and wants revenge against TheEmpire. He creates an NGOSuperpower with an OddlySmallOrganization with its own ConLang, [[EgoPolis he claims a continent in his name,]] creates the Nautilus to conquest the sea and to use it as a WeaponOfMassDestruction, [[FromMyOwnPersonalGarden insists in only using sea-related products]], and the prisoners he considers valuable are placed in a GildedCage but those who not are [[KickTheDog mercilessly destroyed]]. Trying to destroy TheEmpire, he ends up [[StartMyOwn creating a society]] [[MilkmanConspiracy very much like it]]. So, Nemo is as bad as anyone else on this Trope.

* A post-UsefulNotes/{{Columbine}} Young Adult fiction book called ''After...'' features a (presumably) government attempt to quell potentially AxeCrazy kids that gets increasingly out of hand. "Grief counselors" who tell the protagonist to throw a game to the victimized school (at the last minute, he decides not to) and [[UnPerson "suspend"]] a student for wearing a red ribbon (the shooters wore red, see) that was ''honoring her brother who died of AIDS'' gives way to spy cameras in school [=TVs=] and hypnotic emails that [[AdultsAreUseless render most of the parents blind to what's going on]]. It's only when the first school's entire student body suddenly disappears and rumors of detention camps in the desert where the young prisoners are being killed for attempting to escape start filtering back does the protagonist and his family decide to get out of town.

* In ''Literature/AllOurYesterdays'', James wanted to use time travel to save people from dying, but he ended up using it to kill people who became a threat to him, including his own brother, and turned everything into a police state.
* [[GeneralRipper Alloran]] from ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'', who chose to [[spoiler:genocide the Hork-Bajir]] to weaken their usefulness as the [[PuppeteerParasite Yeerks]]' shock troops.

** Waakzaam, Waakzaam, Waakzaam. His original motivation was to improve the worlds created by the Great Mother and then molded by seven divine beings (including him) she created specifically for that goal. However, the inhabitants of the worlds he visited proved uncooperative, so he quickly resorted to drastic measures such as culling the local population (and by "culling" we mean "driving it to near-extinction") in order to prevent overpopulation or violently quelling the rebellion that broke out because the locals were not happy with the rulers Waakzaam installed. In time, he dropped all subtlety and became a downright evil tyrant, "improving" twelve planets by turning them into utter [[CrapsackWorld Crapsack Worlds]].
* {{Deconstructed|Trope}} by the Apostle Paul in [[Literature/BookOfRomans Romans]] chapter 3 in ''Literature/TheBible''. As he writes in Romans 3:8 (NKJV), "And why not say, 'Let us do evil that good may come'? - as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just."

* ''Literature/{{City of Bones|1995}}'' by Creator/MarthaWells:

* In ''Literature/TheHeartsWeSold'', the Daemon's intentions are noble, since he's trying to stop the world from being destroyed, but his methods endanger his charges, all of whom are hapless but relatively innocent teenagers. [[spoiler:It works, but at least two people wind up dead.]]
* Lord Asriel from ''Literature/HisDarkMaterials''. His goal is to eliminate an evil god, but the ways he gets to it includes killing a little boy by separating him from his soul.

** Word of God is Mesa is this. They have a very good point that Transhumanism is the best solution to many issues, and that Beowulf is horribly conservative due to cleaning up the Final War's biowar. The problem is they went into hiding for so long that they lost touch with reality and think they have to convince the galaxy with force that they are right.

* Concerning ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', Creator/JRRTolkien wrote in a letter that "Gandalf as Ring-Lord would have been far worse than Sauron. He would have remained 'righteous', but self-righteous. He would have continued to rule and order things for 'good', and the benefit of his subjects according to his wisdom (which was and would have remained great). Thus while Sauron multiplied evil, he left 'good' clearly distinguishable from it. Gandalf would have made good detestable and seem evil."

* Quitters, Inc. from ''Literature/NightShift'' is determined to get people to stop smoking, even if it means threatening their families.

* {{Deconstructed}} by the Apostle Paul in [[Literature/BookOfRomans Romans]] chapter 3 in ''Literature/TheBible.'' As he writes in Romans 3:8 (NKJV), "And why not say, 'Let us do evil that good may come'? - as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just."

* ''Literature/ProjectA75'': Mr. Pink ultimately reveals himself to be this. He saw how horrible humanity could be and wanted to prevent the dystopian future he comes from, from ever happening. To do so though he resorts to infecting humanity with a virus that will turn them docile as he believes that it is the only option he has to save the world.
* Creator/BrandonSanderson:
** ''Literature/MistbornTheOriginalTrilogy'': [[spoiler:The Lord Ruler]]. Turns out he really was trying to save the world, and was even successful for quite a while. [[spoiler:Elend]] gets shades of this in later books as well. A key difference being that [[spoiler:Elend]] fully acknowledges (and regrets) that he's doing bad things to enable humanity to survive. He may not like it, but most of what he does is genuinely necessary. Meanwhile a lot of what [[spoiler:the Lord ruler]] does is needlessly cruel and doesn't seem to bother him at all. Of course [[spoiler:having [[OmnicidalManiac Ruin]] speaking in his mind for a few hundred makes it pretty obvious why The Lord Ruler ended up as [[WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity crazy as he was]].]]
** ''{{Literature/Elantris}}'': Hrathen. He is a high priest of a [[TheTheocracy military Theocracy]] and is currently assigned to convert the nation of Arelon. He believes that Arelon being converted and subjugated is inevitable and, considering the current political climate, he's almost certainly correct. Wyrn's martial forces could easily crush the the Arelene government and slaughter it's people at any time, so he's hoping to sway the people to his side through whatever means necessary in order to prevent a full fledged military invasion. He also [[spoiler: eventually acknowledges the flaws in the church when he finds out a higher ranking priest is planning on having everyone slaughtered regardless, with the church leader's blessing. He still believes in the religion, but concludes that it's leadership is flawed]].
** ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'':
*** As one of the Sons of Honor, Amaram wants to bring back the Heralds so that they can "properly" lead humanity under the doctrines of the Vorin church. The Sons of Honor believe that to do so, however, requires them to start another Desolation, unaware that the Heralds both already live on Roshar, and desperately want to avoid another Desolation to the point that the Skybreaker order are actively assassinating Sons of Honor agents as well as potential Radiants. And even if their goals weren't terrible, Amaram has no problem murdering his own men when it's convenient for him, justifying it all as necessary.
*** [[spoiler:King Taravangian]] is willing to go any lengths to save the world. Thus far, he's released Szeth to go on an incredible killing spree, reduced the nation of Jah Kaved to burned-out anarchy, and countless other crimes. In ''Literature/RhythmOfWar'', he [[spoiler:tops it all by ''killing Rayse'' and becoming the new [[GodOfEvil Odium]]. He looks out upon the Cosmere, decides it is too disorderly and filled with broken gods, and decides to use his newfound power to "save everyone." This starts with him continuing Odium's war, but from a more competent place]].
---->'''The Diagram:''' Q: For what essential must we strive? A: The essential of preservation, to shelter a seed of humanity through the coming storm. Q: What cost must we bear? A: The cost is irrelevant. Mankind must survive. Our burden is that of the species, and all other considerations are but dust by comparison.
** ''Literature/{{Warbreaker}}'': All over the place. King Dedelin is, as far as he knows, giving one of his daughters up to monsters in Hallandren in order to save his kingdom of Idris from being invaded. The Gods of Hallandren are genuinely concerned about Idris trying to leverage their royal blood and reclaim rulership of Hallandren. [[spoiler:Vivenna]] begins waging a guerrilla war against Hallandren in order to weaken them for the upcoming war. Last but not least [[spoiler:Bluefingers is's trying to ignite a war between Idris and Hallandren to give his own people an opportunity to finally break free of their subjugation under Hallandren.]]

--->'''Juan''': That's the problem with people like you. You're about propaganda and press releases, not concrete solutions. People don't respond to ultimatums, only alternatives.

** The Dirk Pitt adventure ''Celtic Empire'' has industralist Evanna [=McKee=] concluding that men have made a mess of the world. She thus plans to release a virus that will destroy any embryo with a Y chromosome inside it so only females are born. This would mean that within a few generations, no men are left on Earth with cloned embryos ensuring a female race survives. Pitt openly lampshades that the troubling part of this is that [=McKee=] A) truly thinks greed, violence and stupidity are ''only'' male traits; and B) that every other woman on Earth will be perfectly happy to go along with this mass gendercide.

* Luke Castellan from ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' qualifies, as he genuinely believes that the gods are selfish and evil. He isn't wrong - most of the gods don't care about their children or even each other. Even Percy thinks he has a point, and he hates Luke with a passion for the majority of the series. Unfortunately, Luke's methods include siding with a Titan (Kronos) that's much worse than the gods, and the war he helps start results in many demigod deaths. (Although it's debatable as to whether or not Luke was completely in control of himself; remember, Kronos was able to manipulate an actual ''god'' before Olympus even knew he was back.)

* Mrs. Beeson in ''Literature/TheProphetOfYonwood'', who strictly enforces her interpretations of Althea's delusional mutterings because she believes that they are instructions from God, telling the world what they must do to be free of sin.
%%* Quitters inc is determined to get people to stop smoking, even if it means threatening their families.

-->'''Kieran''': If it turns out that the only way of keeping our enemies from learning [[WeaponOfMassDestruction magery that could be our ruin]] is [[ShootTheDog to kill]] a [[TeenGenius charming young lady]], or [[GuileHero two]], or three, I will do it.

* In ''Literature/{{Starchild}}'', Machine General Wheeler wants to bring all the men living in freedom in the reefs of space back under the absolute control of the [[MasterComputer Planning Machine]] and the Plan of Man because [[HobbesWasRight man is inherently evil and cannot be trusted with freedom]].

* Most of the villains in ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'' are this to some degree; even the neo-Nazi faction gets a somewhat sympathetic take this way, presented as a semi-understandable (over-)reaction by "Law and Order" types to years of chaos and disaster in a dystopian future. While the story has a few straight {{Card Carrying Villain}}s as well, it emphasizes that most of the bad guys view themselves as good guys and have at least some kind of sympathetic core to their motives--Even if they often [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope go very much too far]] in implementing them.

* ''Literature/{{Carrie}}'': Margaret White is a particularly insane and twisted type 4 (the "problem" is the problem). While she ''thinks'' she's protecting Carrie from sin and the devil, she has a [[InsaneTrollLogic completely insane worldview]] and thinks basically ''everything'' is a sin, even completely random things like summer camps. As such, her ''protection'' of Carrie just amounts to a massive amount of bizarre abusive behavior.

* In the ''Literature/{{Spaceforce}}'' books, Ashlenn�s father Corusval is passing secret research to, as he thinks, the [[TheFederation United Worlds of Earth]] because he fears the sinister [[PeoplesRepublicOfTyranny Republic of Daros]] is arming for war against the Empire and the Union. He wants the Earthers to share the Taysans� technological advantages. Jay admits that he's probably right, [[spoiler: then summarily executes him anyway.]]

* "Skip" Wilson, newspaper columnist turned eco-terrorist in Carl Hiaasen's ''Tourist Season''. He deplores the destruction of Florida's environment by the flood of development and tourism. His solution? Destroy the tourism industry and collapse the economy through murder, bombings and kidnapping.

-->'''Kieran''': If it turns out that the only way of keeping our enemies from learning [[WeaponOfMassDestruction magery that could be our ruin]] is [[ShootTheDog to kill]] a [[TeenGenius charming young lady]], or [[GuileHero two]], or [[TheChick three]], I will do it.

* Concerning ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings'', Creator/JRRTolkien wrote in a letter that "Gandalf as Ring-Lord would have been far worse than Sauron. He would have remained 'righteous', but self-righteous. Thus while Sauron multiplied evil, he left 'good' clearly distinguishable from it. Gandalf would have made good detestable and seem evil."

** [[HeWhoFightsMonsters Far more than you think, actually.]] He MajoredInWesternHypocrisy and wants revenge against TheEmpire. He creates an NGOSuperpower with a OddlySmallOrganization with her own ConLang, [[EgoPolis he claims a continent in his name,]] creates the Nautilus to conquest the sea and to use it as a WeaponOfMassDestruction, [[FromMyOwnPersonalGarden insists in only using sea related products]], and the prisoners he considers valuable are placed in a GildedCage but those who not are [[KickTheDog mercilessly destroyed]]. Trying to destroy TheEmpire, he ends [[StartMyOwn creating a society]] [[MilkmanConspiracy very much like it]]. So, Nemo is as bad as anyone else on this Trope.

* ''Literature/BazilBroketail'': Waakzaam, Waakzaam, Waakzaam. His original motivation was to improve the worlds created by the Great Mother and then molded by seven divine beings (including him) she created specifically for that goal. However, the inhabitants of the worlds he visited proved uncooperative, so he quickly resorted to drastic measures such as culling the local population (and by "culling" we mean "driving it to near-extinction") in order to prevent overpopulation or violently quelling the rebellion that broke out because the locals were not happy with rulers Waakzaam installed. In time, he dropped all subtlety and became downright evil tyrant, "improving" twelve planets by turning them into utter [[CrapsackWorld Crapsack Worlds]].