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How can I make a character who isn't a jerk seem like one?
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So, I have an MC who, because of certain circumstances, everyone seems him as harsh and cruel at first, but as they get to know him through the first few chapters, the y see he's nicer than they thought him as. How do I describe that?
characters plot description flow
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
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So, I have an MC who, because of certain circumstances, everyone seems him as harsh and cruel at first, but as they get to know him through the first few chapters, the y see he's nicer than they thought him as. How do I describe that?
characters plot description flow
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
up vote
1
down vote
favorite
So, I have an MC who, because of certain circumstances, everyone seems him as harsh and cruel at first, but as they get to know him through the first few chapters, the y see he's nicer than they thought him as. How do I describe that?
characters plot description flow
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
So, I have an MC who, because of certain circumstances, everyone seems him as harsh and cruel at first, but as they get to know him through the first few chapters, the y see he's nicer than they thought him as. How do I describe that?
characters plot description flow
characters plot description flow
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
asked 11 hours ago
Kale Slade
14611
14611
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Kale Slade is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
3 Answers
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oldest
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up vote
3
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People can perceive poor people skills as being harsh or mean. "Cruel" is a word that carries a connotation of enjoying causing others pain, I wouldn't go quite that far.
But some people have very low "EQ" or emotional awareness, they are emotion-blind to others, and don't realize that when they are blunt or honest they are hurting other people's feelings. Even when they do it, they can't read the hurt expressions or voice tones in other people. IRL, some with severe forms of this disability cannot tell the difference between a person laughing and a person crying.
That is at least one way around the problem. Such people can seem like they don't care about others, while they actually do, and then their actions will speak for them. They do take action, sacrifice their time and money to help others when they perceive a need, or are asked.
A common plot device for such characters is their help is requested by somebody weak and desperate, and they step up. A child or teen, perhaps, or on the opposite end but still helpless and desperate, an elderly person.
Such people are often both loners and lonely, an inability to perceive emotions in other people is a disability that makes it difficult to form close friendships or romances.
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Such characters are often found, from the works of Jane Austen to those of Tolstoy. People are perceived as what they appear to others either through actions or words.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet comes to believe that Mr Darcy is arrogant and not worth her time, but she later realizes her error. Quiet people who do not seek to please the opinion of others might be seen as proud (or a jerk) while they are simply aware of their own worth.
Others, reticent by upbringing, can appear cold and distant. Certain cultures inculcate the notion that strength of character means being a man of very few words.
Choose what kind of person your MC truly is, then select a somewhat skewed view for your other character to have, always seeing him silent might make them wonder, but maybe he believes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
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up vote
1
down vote
I like this version of the question better than the last one.
There are many ways to be considered a jerk. The most common is someone who deliberately says or does things that are cruel or obnoxious. But another is to be unthinking about people around you. You might be off in your own head, or have difficulty hearing or seeing so you just nod along, or have a disability that interferes with your ability to connect, or just distracted. These things don't make you a jerk, but they can lead other people to think you are.
Your character might not pick up on subtleties very well. This can make him sound harsh when he's only answering a question or stating something that is factual.
He may have been raised with harshness so he echoes the language.
He may, as you suggested elsewhere, be struggling with a trauma that is blunting his emotional response and/or making him unaware of other peoples' difficulties or reactions.
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
People can perceive poor people skills as being harsh or mean. "Cruel" is a word that carries a connotation of enjoying causing others pain, I wouldn't go quite that far.
But some people have very low "EQ" or emotional awareness, they are emotion-blind to others, and don't realize that when they are blunt or honest they are hurting other people's feelings. Even when they do it, they can't read the hurt expressions or voice tones in other people. IRL, some with severe forms of this disability cannot tell the difference between a person laughing and a person crying.
That is at least one way around the problem. Such people can seem like they don't care about others, while they actually do, and then their actions will speak for them. They do take action, sacrifice their time and money to help others when they perceive a need, or are asked.
A common plot device for such characters is their help is requested by somebody weak and desperate, and they step up. A child or teen, perhaps, or on the opposite end but still helpless and desperate, an elderly person.
Such people are often both loners and lonely, an inability to perceive emotions in other people is a disability that makes it difficult to form close friendships or romances.
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
People can perceive poor people skills as being harsh or mean. "Cruel" is a word that carries a connotation of enjoying causing others pain, I wouldn't go quite that far.
But some people have very low "EQ" or emotional awareness, they are emotion-blind to others, and don't realize that when they are blunt or honest they are hurting other people's feelings. Even when they do it, they can't read the hurt expressions or voice tones in other people. IRL, some with severe forms of this disability cannot tell the difference between a person laughing and a person crying.
That is at least one way around the problem. Such people can seem like they don't care about others, while they actually do, and then their actions will speak for them. They do take action, sacrifice their time and money to help others when they perceive a need, or are asked.
A common plot device for such characters is their help is requested by somebody weak and desperate, and they step up. A child or teen, perhaps, or on the opposite end but still helpless and desperate, an elderly person.
Such people are often both loners and lonely, an inability to perceive emotions in other people is a disability that makes it difficult to form close friendships or romances.
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
People can perceive poor people skills as being harsh or mean. "Cruel" is a word that carries a connotation of enjoying causing others pain, I wouldn't go quite that far.
But some people have very low "EQ" or emotional awareness, they are emotion-blind to others, and don't realize that when they are blunt or honest they are hurting other people's feelings. Even when they do it, they can't read the hurt expressions or voice tones in other people. IRL, some with severe forms of this disability cannot tell the difference between a person laughing and a person crying.
That is at least one way around the problem. Such people can seem like they don't care about others, while they actually do, and then their actions will speak for them. They do take action, sacrifice their time and money to help others when they perceive a need, or are asked.
A common plot device for such characters is their help is requested by somebody weak and desperate, and they step up. A child or teen, perhaps, or on the opposite end but still helpless and desperate, an elderly person.
Such people are often both loners and lonely, an inability to perceive emotions in other people is a disability that makes it difficult to form close friendships or romances.
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
People can perceive poor people skills as being harsh or mean. "Cruel" is a word that carries a connotation of enjoying causing others pain, I wouldn't go quite that far.
But some people have very low "EQ" or emotional awareness, they are emotion-blind to others, and don't realize that when they are blunt or honest they are hurting other people's feelings. Even when they do it, they can't read the hurt expressions or voice tones in other people. IRL, some with severe forms of this disability cannot tell the difference between a person laughing and a person crying.
That is at least one way around the problem. Such people can seem like they don't care about others, while they actually do, and then their actions will speak for them. They do take action, sacrifice their time and money to help others when they perceive a need, or are asked.
A common plot device for such characters is their help is requested by somebody weak and desperate, and they step up. A child or teen, perhaps, or on the opposite end but still helpless and desperate, an elderly person.
Such people are often both loners and lonely, an inability to perceive emotions in other people is a disability that makes it difficult to form close friendships or romances.
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
answered 9 hours ago
Amadeus
41.9k252134
41.9k252134
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
add a comment |Â
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
I see. Thank you.
– Kale Slade
9 hours ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Such characters are often found, from the works of Jane Austen to those of Tolstoy. People are perceived as what they appear to others either through actions or words.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet comes to believe that Mr Darcy is arrogant and not worth her time, but she later realizes her error. Quiet people who do not seek to please the opinion of others might be seen as proud (or a jerk) while they are simply aware of their own worth.
Others, reticent by upbringing, can appear cold and distant. Certain cultures inculcate the notion that strength of character means being a man of very few words.
Choose what kind of person your MC truly is, then select a somewhat skewed view for your other character to have, always seeing him silent might make them wonder, but maybe he believes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Such characters are often found, from the works of Jane Austen to those of Tolstoy. People are perceived as what they appear to others either through actions or words.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet comes to believe that Mr Darcy is arrogant and not worth her time, but she later realizes her error. Quiet people who do not seek to please the opinion of others might be seen as proud (or a jerk) while they are simply aware of their own worth.
Others, reticent by upbringing, can appear cold and distant. Certain cultures inculcate the notion that strength of character means being a man of very few words.
Choose what kind of person your MC truly is, then select a somewhat skewed view for your other character to have, always seeing him silent might make them wonder, but maybe he believes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Such characters are often found, from the works of Jane Austen to those of Tolstoy. People are perceived as what they appear to others either through actions or words.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet comes to believe that Mr Darcy is arrogant and not worth her time, but she later realizes her error. Quiet people who do not seek to please the opinion of others might be seen as proud (or a jerk) while they are simply aware of their own worth.
Others, reticent by upbringing, can appear cold and distant. Certain cultures inculcate the notion that strength of character means being a man of very few words.
Choose what kind of person your MC truly is, then select a somewhat skewed view for your other character to have, always seeing him silent might make them wonder, but maybe he believes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
Such characters are often found, from the works of Jane Austen to those of Tolstoy. People are perceived as what they appear to others either through actions or words.
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet comes to believe that Mr Darcy is arrogant and not worth her time, but she later realizes her error. Quiet people who do not seek to please the opinion of others might be seen as proud (or a jerk) while they are simply aware of their own worth.
Others, reticent by upbringing, can appear cold and distant. Certain cultures inculcate the notion that strength of character means being a man of very few words.
Choose what kind of person your MC truly is, then select a somewhat skewed view for your other character to have, always seeing him silent might make them wonder, but maybe he believes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than speak and remove all doubt.
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
answered 7 hours ago
Rasdashan
1,211316
1,211316
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I like this version of the question better than the last one.
There are many ways to be considered a jerk. The most common is someone who deliberately says or does things that are cruel or obnoxious. But another is to be unthinking about people around you. You might be off in your own head, or have difficulty hearing or seeing so you just nod along, or have a disability that interferes with your ability to connect, or just distracted. These things don't make you a jerk, but they can lead other people to think you are.
Your character might not pick up on subtleties very well. This can make him sound harsh when he's only answering a question or stating something that is factual.
He may have been raised with harshness so he echoes the language.
He may, as you suggested elsewhere, be struggling with a trauma that is blunting his emotional response and/or making him unaware of other peoples' difficulties or reactions.
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
I like this version of the question better than the last one.
There are many ways to be considered a jerk. The most common is someone who deliberately says or does things that are cruel or obnoxious. But another is to be unthinking about people around you. You might be off in your own head, or have difficulty hearing or seeing so you just nod along, or have a disability that interferes with your ability to connect, or just distracted. These things don't make you a jerk, but they can lead other people to think you are.
Your character might not pick up on subtleties very well. This can make him sound harsh when he's only answering a question or stating something that is factual.
He may have been raised with harshness so he echoes the language.
He may, as you suggested elsewhere, be struggling with a trauma that is blunting his emotional response and/or making him unaware of other peoples' difficulties or reactions.
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
I like this version of the question better than the last one.
There are many ways to be considered a jerk. The most common is someone who deliberately says or does things that are cruel or obnoxious. But another is to be unthinking about people around you. You might be off in your own head, or have difficulty hearing or seeing so you just nod along, or have a disability that interferes with your ability to connect, or just distracted. These things don't make you a jerk, but they can lead other people to think you are.
Your character might not pick up on subtleties very well. This can make him sound harsh when he's only answering a question or stating something that is factual.
He may have been raised with harshness so he echoes the language.
He may, as you suggested elsewhere, be struggling with a trauma that is blunting his emotional response and/or making him unaware of other peoples' difficulties or reactions.
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
I like this version of the question better than the last one.
There are many ways to be considered a jerk. The most common is someone who deliberately says or does things that are cruel or obnoxious. But another is to be unthinking about people around you. You might be off in your own head, or have difficulty hearing or seeing so you just nod along, or have a disability that interferes with your ability to connect, or just distracted. These things don't make you a jerk, but they can lead other people to think you are.
Your character might not pick up on subtleties very well. This can make him sound harsh when he's only answering a question or stating something that is factual.
He may have been raised with harshness so he echoes the language.
He may, as you suggested elsewhere, be struggling with a trauma that is blunting his emotional response and/or making him unaware of other peoples' difficulties or reactions.
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
answered 4 hours ago
Cyn
1,446116
1,446116
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Kale Slade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Kale Slade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Kale Slade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Kale Slade is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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