Character Trait: Faithful

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "faithful" refers to a person who remains loyal, committed, and dedicated to a person, cause, or belief system despite difficulties, temptations, or challenges. A faithful character is someone who can be relied upon to keep their promises, honor their commitments, and stay true to their values and beliefs. They are trustworthy, reliable, and dependable, and they inspire others to have faith in them and their actions.

Possible causes of being faithful

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

• An innate sense of responsibility towards others
• Positive role models in their life who demonstrated faithfulness
• A desire to maintain a good reputation or image in the eyes of others
• Strong moral or religious beliefs
• Natural inclination towards loyalty and commitment
• A desire for stability and security in relationships
• A belief in the importance of trust and honesty in relationships
• Personal experiences of betrayal or abandonment leading to a strong commitment to remain faithful

Behaviors associated with being faithful

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

• Refraining from cheating or infidelity
• Being loyal and supportive in a relationship
• Forgiving and working through conflicts and challenges together
• Trusting in one's partner and their relationship
• Respecting one's partner and their feelings
• Keeping promises and commitments
• Prioritizing the relationship and making efforts to maintain it
• Communicating openly and effectively with one's partner
• Being honest and transparent with one's partner

Attitudes associated with being faithful

You may be able to show faithful through their attitudes.

• Consistency in thoughts, feelings, and actions towards a person or belief
• Forgiveness and reconciliation in conflicts or misunderstandings
• Trustworthiness and reliability in keeping promises or commitments
• Patience and understanding in times of uncertainty or doubt
• Devotion and dedication to a relationship or duty
• Steadfastness and perseverance in difficult times
• Respect for boundaries and commitments in relationships
• Loyalty towards a person, belief, or cause
• Honesty and transparency in communication and behavior

Thoughts and struggles associated with being faithful

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

• They may experience a tension between their faith and other aspects of their identity, such as their cultural background or personal relationships.
• They may grapple with the concept of free will versus divine intervention, wondering how much control they have over their own lives.
• They may also wrestle with the idea of suffering and injustice in the world, questioning why bad things happen to good people.
• They may also struggle with the idea of forgiveness, both for themselves and for others, as their faith likely teaches the importance of mercy and grace.
• A faithful character may struggle with doubts and uncertainties about their beliefs, but ultimately choose to trust in their faith.
• A faithful character may find strength and comfort in their faith during difficult times, but may also struggle with feelings of anger or frustration towards their deity when things don't go as planned.
• A faithful character may feel a sense of responsibility to share their beliefs with others, but also fear rejection or criticism for doing so.

Emotions associated with being faithful

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

• Dependability
• Commitment
• Devotion
• Trustworthiness
• Loyalty
• Fidelity
• Dedication
• Consistency
• Honesty

Facial expressions associated with being faithful

Here are some facial expressions your faithful character may exhibit.

• Soft smile
• Steady eye contact
• Gentle nodding
• Upright posture
• Relaxed eyebrows
• Calm and composed demeanor
• Loyal and attentive gaze

Body language associated with being faithful

Here is some body language your faithful character may exhibit.

• Maintaining eye contact when talking to loved ones or partners
• Being physically present in important events and moments for loved ones or partners
• Keeping promises and commitments made to others
• Smiling and nodding when someone speaks to show engagement and interest
• Leaning in when listening to someone speak
• Speaking positively about loved ones or partners to others
• Touching, hugging, or holding hands with loved ones or partners

Behaviors associated with being faithful

Here are some behaviors your faithful character may exhibit.

• Keeping promises and commitments
• Forgiving and working through conflicts and challenges together
• Prioritizing the relationship and making efforts to maintain it
• Communicating openly and effectively with one's partner
• Refraining from cheating or infidelity
• Being loyal and supportive in a relationship
• Trusting in one's partner and their relationship
• Being honest and transparent with one's partner
• Respecting one's partner and their feelings

Growth and evolution of faithful characters

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

• They can learn to trust others more, developing stronger relationships with friends, family, or their romantic partner.
• A faithful character can become more selfless, putting the needs of others before their own and dedicating themselves to serving a higher purpose.
• A faithful character can become more forgiving, letting go of grudges and embracing compassion and empathy for others.
• They can learn to persevere in the face of adversity, relying on their faith to guide them through difficult times.
• A faithful character can grow in their faith, gaining a deeper understanding of their beliefs and their place in the world.
• A faithful character can become more open-minded, willing to explore new ideas and perspectives while remaining grounded in their beliefs.
• They can learn to confront their doubts and fears head-on, finding strength and resilience in their faith.

Stereotypes of faithful characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical faithful character like these examples.

• Don't make the character overly preachy or judgmental towards others who may not share their beliefs.
• Don't use the character's faith as a way to make them seem morally superior or to absolve them of any wrongdoing.
• Don't make the character blindly follow their faith without questioning or struggling with their beliefs.
• Avoid portraying the character as perfect or without flaws, as everyone struggles with doubts and weaknesses.
• Avoid making the faithful character one-dimensional or solely defined by their faith.
• Avoid using stereotypes or clichés about the faithful, such as portraying them as naive or overly conservative.
• Avoid using the character's faith as a plot device or a convenient solution to all their problems.

Negatives of being faithful

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

• Faithfulness can sometimes lead to a sense of obligation rather than genuine desire or love.
• Being faithful can require sacrifices, such as giving up opportunities or desires for the sake of the relationship.
• It can also create pressure to maintain a certain level of commitment and dedication, which can be stressful.
• Faithfulness can sometimes result in feeling trapped or limited in one's options.
• Being faithful can lead to disappointment or heartbreak if the other person is not faithful in return.

Positives of being faithful

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

• Being faithful can demonstrate integrity and honor.
• Faithfulness can lead to a greater sense of personal fulfillment and satisfaction.
• Faithfulness can lead to a deeper sense of connection and intimacy.
• It can foster a sense of loyalty and devotion to others.
• Being faithful can strengthen relationships and build trust.
• It can provide a sense of moral grounding and guidance.
• It can create a sense of security and stability in a relationship.
• It shows dedication and commitment to a person or cause.

Verbal expressions of faithful characters

Here are some potential expressions used by faithful characters.

• "I have faith in you and our love"
• "You can count on me"
• "I will never betray your trust"
• "I will keep my word"
• "I am devoted to you"
• "I will remain loyal to you"
• "I will stand by you through thick and thin"
• "I am committed to you and our relationship"
• "I promise to always be there for you"

Relationships of faithful characters

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

• In romantic relationships, faithful individuals may prioritize emotional and physical fidelity, avoiding behaviors that could lead to infidelity or mistrust.
• They may also be more likely to forgive and work through conflicts with loved ones rather than ending the relationship.
• Faithful people tend to have strong and committed relationships with others based on trust and loyalty.
• They may be viewed as dependable and reliable by friends, family, and romantic partners.
• Faithful individuals may struggle to maintain relationships with those who do not share their values or exhibit behaviors that go against their beliefs around commitment and loyalty.

Examples from books of characters who are faithful

• Jean Valjean from "Les Miserables" by Victor Hugo
• Hazel Grace Lancaster from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Jane Eyre from "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Bronte
• Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Baba from "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini
• Dobby from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Hagrid from "Harry Potter" series by J.K. Rowling
• Sydney Carton from "A Tale of Two Cities" by Charles Dickens

Writing exercises for writing faithful characters

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

• Create a backstory for the character that explains why they are so devoted and loyal. Did they have a significant person or experience that shaped their values?
• Create a list of values that the character holds dear, and explore how these values influence their faithfulness in different situations.
• Write a scene where the character sacrifices something important to them for the sake of someone they are faithful to. How do they feel about this sacrifice?
• Write a scene where the character is betrayed by someone they are faithful to. How do they react and cope with this betrayal?
• Write a dialogue between the character and someone who challenges their faithfulness. How does the character respond and defend their loyalty?
• Explore the potential negative consequences of the character's faithfulness. Is there a situation where their loyalty could be harmful to themselves or others?
• Write a scene where the character is faced with a difficult decision that tests their faithfulness, such as choosing between their loyalty to a friend and their duty to their job.
• Write a scene where the character must choose between being faithful to someone they love and being true to themselves. How do they navigate this difficult decision?