Character Trait: Angry

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait of "Angry" describes a person who is easily provoked to strong feelings of displeasure or hostility. This emotion can range from mild frustration to intense fury, and it often manifests through verbal or physical outbursts, impulsive behavior, and a general sense of agitation or irritability. An angry character may struggle to control their temper and may be quick to react without considering the consequences of their actions. However, anger can also be a powerful motivator and can be channeled into productive pursuits if managed effectively.

Possible causes of being angry

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

• Chronic stress or anxiety
• Genetics or family history of anger issues
• Feelings of injustice or unfair treatment
• Inability to manage emotions effectively
• Learned behavior from family or peers
• Personality disorders such as borderline personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder
• Frustration with life circumstances or feeling powerless
• Traumatic experiences such as abuse or neglect
• Substance abuse or addiction

For detailed feedback on angry characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's fiction manuscript feedback.

Behaviors associated with being angry

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

• Making sarcastic or cutting remarks
• Pointing fingers or shaking fist
• Flushing or sweating
• Breathing heavily or fast
• Frowning or scowling
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Raising voice or yelling
• Clenching fists or jaw
• Stomping or slamming objects
• Glaring or giving dirty looks
• Pacing or restlessness

Attitudes associated with being angry

You may be able to show angry through their attitudes.

• Impatience
• Inflamed
• Frustration
• Irritability
• Blaming
• Aggression
• Bitterness
• Resentment
• Hostility

Thoughts and struggles associated with being angry

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

• Tendency to blame others for their problems
• Difficulty controlling their temper
• A belief that anger is the only way to protect themselves
• Struggle to understand or empathize with others' perspectives
• Difficulty expressing emotions other than anger
• Constantly feeling frustrated and irritated
• Fear of vulnerability or being hurt again
• A desire for justice or revenge
• A sense of powerlessness or helplessness that fuels their anger

Emotions associated with being angry

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

• Rage
• Fury
• Outrage
• Bitterness
• Hostility
• Resentment
• Frustration
• Hatred
• Irritation

Facial expressions associated with being angry

Here are some facial expressions your angry character may exhibit.

• Flared nostrils
• Pursed or scowling mouth
• Tight lips
• Flushed or reddened skin
• Narrowed eyes
• Clenched jaw
• Furrowed eyebrows

Body language associated with being angry

Here is some body language your angry character may exhibit.

• Breathing heavily or rapidly
• Aggressive gestures, such as pointing or jabbing a finger
• Tightened facial muscles, such as frowning or scowling
• A tense or rigid posture
• A loud or harsh tone of voice
• Clenched fists or jaw
• Raised eyebrows and widened eyes
• Flared nostrils
• Pacing or restlessness

It's important to note that not everyone exhibits these cues when angry, and some people may show different cues depending on the situation or their personality. Additionally, body language should always be considered in context with other factors, such as the words being spoken, the person's past behavior, and the overall atmosphere of the scene.

For detailed feedback on angry characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's fiction manuscript feedback.

Behaviors associated with being angry

Here are some behaviors your angry character may exhibit.

• Interrupting or talking over others
• Stomping or slamming objects
• Glaring or giving dirty looks
• Pacing or restlessness
• Pointing fingers or shaking fist
• Clenching fists or jaw
• Breathing heavily or fast
• Flushing or sweating
• Raising voice or yelling
• Frowning or scowling
• Making sarcastic or cutting remarks

Growth and evolution of angry characters

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

• Practice empathy: The character may need to learn to put themselves in other people's shoes and understand their perspectives. This could help them control their anger and avoid lashing out at others.
• Learn coping mechanisms: The character may need to learn healthy coping mechanisms to deal with their anger. This could include therapy, meditation, or physical exercise.
• Develop communication skills: The character may need to learn how to express their feelings in a constructive and respectful manner. This could involve practicing active listening, using "I" statements, and avoiding blame and criticism.
• Forgive themselves and others: The character may need to let go of past hurts and resentments. Forgiveness can be a powerful tool for moving on and finding peace.
• Acknowledge their anger: The first step towards growth is to recognize their anger and its consequences. The character may need to confront their feelings and the root cause of their anger.

Stereotypes of angry characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical angry character like these examples.

• Avoid making the angry character one-dimensional or solely defined by their anger.
• Avoid making the character's anger the sole driving force behind their actions or decisions.
• Avoid stereotyping the character's anger as being solely related to their gender, race, or culture.
• Avoid portraying the character as simply irrational or overly aggressive.
• Avoid making the character's anger the punchline of jokes or using it to belittle or demean them.

Negatives of being angry

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

• Anger can cloud judgment and lead to impulsive actions
• Prolonged anger can lead to physical and mental health problems
• It can damage relationships with others and create conflict
• Anger can be a barrier to effective communication and problem-solving
• It can cause stress and tension in the body, leading to headaches, high blood pressure, and other health issues

Positives of being angry

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

• Can motivate to take action and make positive changes
• Can lead to increased self-awareness and understanding of personal values
• Can help set boundaries and assert oneself
• Can provide a release of pent-up emotions
• Can highlight important issues and injustices

Verbal expressions of angry characters

Here are some potential expressions used by angry characters.

• Refusing to listen or consider other opinions
• Complaining or criticizing
• Blaming or accusing
• Interrupting or talking over others
• Insulting or name-calling
• Swearing or cursing
• Using sarcasm or mocking tone
• Threatening or intimidating
• Yelling or shouting

Relationships of angry characters

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

• Angry people may push others away with their behavior, feeling misunderstood or rejected by those around them.
• Relationships with angry individuals may be characterized by a lot of drama and chaos, with constant ups and downs.
• They may struggle with controlling their emotions and lash out at others, causing conflict and tension.
• They may be prone to jealousy and possessiveness, which can create power imbalances and strain relationships.
• They may struggle with communication, either bottling up their feelings or communicating in aggressive or hurtful ways.
• Angry individuals may have difficulty trusting others, leading to a lack of intimacy or vulnerability in their relationships.
• Angry people may have a tendency to be confrontational and argumentative in their relationships.

Examples from books of characters who are angry

• Lisbeth Salander from "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby"
• Rorschach from "Watchmen"
• Captain Ahab from "Moby Dick"
• Katniss Everdeen from "The Hunger Games"
• Severus Snape from "Harry Potter"
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye"
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights"
• Sherlock Holmes from "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"

Writing exercises for writing angry characters

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

• Write a scene where your character witnesses an injustice or a wrongdoing. Show how their anger motivates them to take action and how they channel it into productive behavior.
• Create a list of triggers that make your character angry. Use these triggers to create scenarios where your character's anger is tested.
• Write a scene where your character is trying to control their anger. Show their inner struggle and how they manage to keep their emotions in check or fail to do so.
• Explore the root cause of your character's anger. Write a backstory or inner monologue to understand why they feel this way and how it affects their actions.
• Create a dialogue between your character and someone they trust. Show how they express their anger and how the other person responds to it.
• Write a scene where your character is confronting someone they are angry with. Show their body language, tone of voice, and facial expressions to convey their anger.
• Write a scene where your character is angry with themselves. Show how they react to their mistakes or failures and how they try to learn from them.
• Write a scene where your character is alone and angry. Show how they cope with their emotions and how they try to calm themselves down.
• Write a scene where your character is in a group or a social setting. Show how their anger affects their interactions with others and how they navigate the situation.