Character Trait: Degraded

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "Degraded" refers to a person who has lost their dignity, honor, or self-respect through a series of negative experiences or actions. This individual may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their behavior or circumstances and may lack the confidence to pursue their goals or aspirations. They may also struggle with feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, which can affect their relationships with others and their ability to function effectively in society.

Possible causes of being degraded

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

• Social and cultural factors, such as poverty, discrimination, or marginalization, can also contribute to a degraded personality or nature.
• Substance abuse or addiction can also cause a person's personality or nature to degrade over time.
• Poor role models or lack of positive influences can impact a person's personality development.
• Mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or personality disorders, may contribute to a degraded personality or nature.
• Traumatic experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or violence, can lead to a degraded personality or nature.

Behaviors associated with being degraded

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

• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or ideas
• Engaging in physical or verbal aggression towards others
• Insulting or belittling others
• Intentionally embarrassing or humiliating others
• Blaming others for one's own mistakes or shortcomings
• Using derogatory language or slurs
• Talking down to others
• Treating others with disrespect or contempt
• Making fun of others or mocking them

Attitudes associated with being degraded

You may be able to show degraded through their attitudes.

• Withdrawal or isolation
• Feeling inferior to others
• Shame or guilt
• Self-blame or blaming others
• Self-destructive behavior
• Low self-esteem
• Anger or resentment
• Helplessness or powerlessness
• Disillusionment or cynicism

Thoughts and struggles associated with being degraded

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

• Struggle with addiction or destructive behavior
• Feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem
• Difficulty trusting others or opening up emotionally
• Inner conflict between wanting to improve themselves and feeling trapped in their current situation
• Fear of judgment or criticism from others
• Tendency to isolate themselves from others
• Difficulty maintaining relationships due to fear of rejection or abandonment
• Shame and guilt over past actions or mistakes
• Sense of hopelessness and despair about the future

Emotions associated with being degraded

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

• Shame
• Humiliation
• Inferiority
• Worthlessness
• Dishonor
• Disgrace
• Indignity
• Powerlessness
• Embarrassment

Facial expressions associated with being degraded

Here are some facial expressions your degraded character may exhibit.

• Quivering or trembling lips
• Cheeks flushed or pale
• Heavy sighs or shallow breathing
• Facial muscles tensed or tight
• Jaw clenched or tight
• Brow furrowed or lowered
• Downward or slouched posture
• Averted gaze or eyes looking down
• Lips pressed together or tightly pursed

Body language associated with being degraded

Here is some body language your degraded character may exhibit.

• Apologizing excessively or unnecessarily
• Avoiding eye contact
• Covering or hiding the face with hands or hair
• Shrinking or making oneself small
• Speaking softly or hesitantly
• Crossing arms tightly across the chest
• Standing with head down or looking at the ground
• Fidgeting or nervously tapping fingers
• Slumping or hunching shoulders

Behaviors associated with being degraded

Here are some behaviors your degraded character may exhibit.

• Making fun of others or mocking them
• Blaming others for one's own mistakes or shortcomings
• Treating others with disrespect or contempt
• Insulting or belittling others
• Talking down to others
• Intentionally embarrassing or humiliating others
• Refusing to listen to others' opinions or ideas
• Engaging in physical or verbal aggression towards others
• Using derogatory language or slurs

Growth and evolution of degraded characters

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

• Forgiving themselves and others for past wrongdoings.
• Recognizing their faults and taking responsibility for their actions.
• Taking decisive actions to make things right and redeem themselves.
• Overcoming their fears and insecurities, and gaining confidence.
• Finding a sense of purpose and direction in their lives.
• Learning from their mistakes and making conscious efforts to improve themselves.
• Challenging their beliefs and values, and being open to change.
• Forming meaningful connections with other characters, and learning to trust and rely on them.
• Developing empathy and understanding towards others.

Stereotypes of degraded characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical degraded character like these examples.

• Do not rely on stereotypes or generalizations when portraying Degraded characters.
• Avoid making Degraded characters solely defined by their struggles or hardships.
• Do not romanticize or glamorize Degraded traits or behaviors.
• Avoid making Degraded characters solely responsible for their circumstances, as societal factors and systemic issues can also play a role.
• Avoid making Degraded characters one-dimensional and completely defined by their negative traits.

Negatives of being degraded

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

• Feeling powerless and helpless
• Physical health issues, such as chronic stress and immune system dysfunction
• Mental and emotional distress, including anxiety and depression
• Being taken advantage of and mistreated by others
• Inability to assert oneself and set boundaries
• Lack of confidence and self-assurance
• Impaired decision-making and problem-solving abilities
• Low self-esteem and self-worth
• Difficulty in forming healthy relationships

Positives of being degraded

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

• Characters who have experienced degradation can have a heightened sense of empathy and compassion for others who are going through tough times.
• They may possess a deep understanding of the importance of hard work and perseverance in achieving their goals.
• Degraded characters often have a strong sense of humility and can be relatable to readers who have experienced similar struggles.
• They may possess a unique perspective on life that can add depth and complexity to their character development.

Verbal expressions of degraded characters

Here are some potential expressions used by degraded characters.

• Sarcasm
• Insults
• Disparaging comments
• Humiliation
• Belittling remarks
• Dismissive attitude
• Demeaning language
• Condescending tone
• Name-calling
• Mockery
• Ridicule

Relationships of degraded characters

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

• A tendency to attract abusive or manipulative people into their lives
• A fear of rejection or abandonment
• A tendency to be overly accommodating or self-sacrificing to avoid conflict
• Difficulty forming close relationships due to past trauma or abuse
• A tendency to seek approval and validation from others
• Difficulty asserting themselves and setting boundaries
• Difficulty expressing their emotions or needs in a healthy way
• An inclination to engage in self-destructive behaviors or relationships
• Insecurity and a lack of trust in others

Examples from books of characters who are degraded

• Humbert Humbert from "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov
• Jay Gatsby from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Blanche DuBois from "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams
• Lady Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Raskolnikov from "Crime and Punishment" by Fyodor Dostoevsky
• Tom Buchanan from "The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Holden Caulfield from "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger
• Macbeth from "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare
• Heathcliff from "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte

Writing exercises for writing degraded characters

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

• Write a scene in which the character's degradation is on full display. Show how it affects their behavior, thoughts, and actions. How do other characters react to them?
• Write a scene in which the character experiences a moment of redemption or hope. How does this affect their trajectory moving forward? Does it change their outlook on life or their relationships with others?
• Experiment with different genres and formats to showcase the character's degradation. How might their degradation manifest differently in a horror story versus a romance?
• Explore the character's relationships with others. How do they interact with people who are not degraded? How do they treat those who are similarly degraded?
• Consider the character's backstory and how it has contributed to their current state. Have they experienced trauma or hardship that has led to their degradation? How have they coped with these challenges?
• Start by creating a character who embodies the Degraded trait. What are their defining characteristics? What motivates them? What are their weaknesses and flaws?