Character Trait: Assailable

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Assailable" refers to a character's vulnerability to being attacked or criticized. It means that the character can be easily challenged or questioned, either physically or emotionally, and is not entirely invulnerable. An assailable character is more relatable and realistic, as they are not perfect and can make mistakes. This trait can add depth and complexity to a character, making them more interesting and engaging to readers.

Possible causes of being assailable

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

• Past experiences of trauma or abuse can make a person feel vulnerable and easily hurt, leading to an assailable personality.
• People who struggle with anxiety or low self-esteem may perceive themselves as weak or inferior, making them more prone to feeling assailable.
• Individuals who have grown up in a sheltered environment with limited exposure to challenges and conflicts may also have an assailable nature.
• Those who have a strong sense of empathy and emotional sensitivity may also be more susceptible to feeling vulnerable to external influences and situations.

For detailed feedback on assailable characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's writing style analysis.

Behaviors associated with being assailable

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

• Being prone to anxiety or self-doubt
• Being too trusting or naive
• Being overly sensitive to criticism or rejection
• Struggling to set boundaries or say "no"
• Avoiding confrontation or conflict
• Having low self-esteem or a lack of confidence
• Tending to apologize excessively or unnecessarily
• Struggling to stand up for oneself
• Being easily influenced or manipulated by others

Attitudes associated with being assailable

You may be able to show assailable through their attitudes.

• Humility and lack of defensiveness
• Willingness to admit mistakes and learn from them
• Lack of judgment towards others
• Being open to feedback and constructive criticism
• Willingness to take risks and try new things
• Ability to accept help and support from others
• Trust in others and their intentions
• Vulnerability and emotional openness
• Ability to consider different perspectives and opinions

Thoughts and struggles associated with being assailable

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

• They may have a tendency to be too hard on themselves, holding themselves to impossibly high standards and beating themselves up over perceived mistakes or shortcomings.
• They may also have a fear of failure, which can lead to them avoiding taking risks or trying new things.
• Assailable characters may struggle with self-doubt and insecurity, often questioning their own abilities and worth.
• They may also have a tendency to be indecisive, second-guessing themselves and struggling to make choices or take action.
• Assailable characters may struggle with trust issues, finding it difficult to open up to others or form close relationships for fear of being hurt or betrayed.
• Assailable characters may be overly sensitive to criticism or rejection, taking it personally and feeling deeply hurt by it.

Emotions associated with being assailable

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

• Vulnerable
• Insecure
• Anxious
• Timid
• Sensitive
• Apprehensive
• Fearful
• Unprotected
• Nervous

Facial expressions associated with being assailable

Here are some facial expressions your assailable character may exhibit.

• Raised eyebrows
• Darting eyes
• Furrowed brow
• Clenched jaw
• Tilted head
• Flushed cheeks
• Quivering lower lip
• Wide eyes
• Slightly parted lips

Body language associated with being assailable

Here is some body language your assailable character may exhibit.

• Hunched or slouched posture
• Avoiding eye contact
• Over-explaining or justifying oneself
• Difficulty making decisions or asserting oneself
• Speaking softly or hesitantly
• Tightly crossed arms or legs
• Apologizing frequently
• Fidgeting or nervous movements
• Shrinking or pulling back from physical contact

For detailed feedback on assailable characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's writing style analysis.

Behaviors associated with being assailable

Here are some behaviors your assailable character may exhibit.

• Struggling to set boundaries or say "no"
• Having low self-esteem or a lack of confidence
• Struggling to stand up for oneself
• Avoiding confrontation or conflict
• Being prone to anxiety or self-doubt
• Being easily influenced or manipulated by others
• Being too trusting or naive
• Being overly sensitive to criticism or rejection
• Tending to apologize excessively or unnecessarily

Growth and evolution of assailable characters

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

• They might develop a greater sense of empathy and learn to connect with others on a deeper level.
• The Assailable character might gain self-confidence and learn to stand up for themselves.
• They might become more resilient and learn how to overcome obstacles.
• They might develop a stronger sense of purpose and learn to pursue their goals with greater determination.
• They might become more assertive and learn how to assert their needs and desires.
• They might learn to cope with their vulnerabilities and use them to their advantage.
• They might develop a more positive outlook on life and learn to appreciate their strengths and weaknesses.
• They might gain a greater sense of self-awareness and learn to understand their emotions and motivations.
• They might learn to trust others and form meaningful relationships.

Stereotypes of assailable characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical assailable character like these examples.

• Weakness or timidity that makes them easy targets for bullies or villains
• Naivety or gullibility that makes them vulnerable to manipulation or deceit
• Inability to learn from their mistakes or grow as a person
• Inability to make tough decisions or take action in difficult situations
• Overly emotional or sensitive, prone to breakdowns or outbursts
• Lack of assertiveness or confidence to stand up for themselves or others
• Incompetence or ineffectiveness that puts themselves or others in danger

Negatives of being assailable

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

• Fear of conflict or confrontation
• Tendency to trust too easily
• Being taken advantage of by others
• Difficulty setting boundaries
• Vulnerability to physical or emotional harm

Positives of being assailable

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

• Assailable individuals are more likely to build strong relationships with others as they are open to seeing things from different perspectives.
• It allows characters to have a growth mindset and evolve over time.
• Being assailable means being open to feedback and willing to learn from others.
• They are less likely to have conflicts with others as they are willing to compromise and find common ground.

Verbal expressions of assailable characters

Here are some potential expressions used by assailable characters.

• "Let's discuss this further"
• "I see your point"
• "I'm sorry if I hurt you"
• "I'm open to feedback"
• "I could be wrong"
• "I'm willing to learn"
• "I'm not sure"
• "Maybe you're right"
• "I'm not perfect"

Relationships of assailable characters

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

• Assailable people may struggle with trusting others, leading to relationships where they may be guarded or hesitant to open up.
• Assailable people may have a fear of conflict, leading to relationships where they avoid confrontation and may struggle to express their own opinions and needs.
• They may also struggle with setting boundaries, resulting in relationships where others may take advantage of them.
• They may also have a strong desire to please others, which can lead to relationships where they prioritize the needs of others over their own.
• Assailable people may have a tendency to seek approval from others, leading to relationships where they may be overly accommodating or submissive.

Examples from books of characters who are assailable

• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Severus Snape from the "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Tom Ripley from "The Talented Mr. Ripley" by Patricia Highsmith
• Amy Dunne from "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell
• Patrick Bateman from "American Psycho" by Bret Easton Ellis
• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

Writing exercises for writing assailable characters

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

• Write a monologue from your character's perspective, where they reflect on their flaws and weaknesses.
• Write a dialogue between your character and someone they trust, where they open up about their insecurities and fears.
• Create a scene where your character faces criticism or rejection, and show their emotional response to the situation.
• Write a scene where your character is faced with a difficult decision that challenges their beliefs or values. Have them struggle with the decision and show vulnerability in their thought process.
• Create a scene where your character must ask for help or support, and show their vulnerability in this act.
• Create a backstory for your character that includes a significant failure or setback. Show how this experience has affected their current behavior and mindset.
• Put your character in a situation where they are physically or emotionally hurt, and show how they react to the pain and vulnerability.