NEGATIVE TRAIT THESAURUS

REBELLIOUS



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HELPFUL TIP:

Characters with this flaw will be extra sensitive to certain emotions, so think about how events in your story might specifically trigger these feelings to generate compelling tension and conflict. Another idea is to give a supporting character a positive attribute that is an opposite of this flaw, which will get under the skin of both characters and cause friction in their relationship.
DEFINITION:
Flouting the law or resisting authority

SIMILAR FLAWS:
Defiant, disobedient, insubordinate, mutinous

POSSIBLE CAUSES:
Having domineering parents
Living in a strictly-controlled culture or society
Repression
Being denied creative expression
Discrimination
Being at war or living in a policed state
Being strong-willed
Having been independent and answering to no one for a long time
A history of abuse or mistreatment by those in authority
Needing control and freedom, to be independent
Believing that respect must be earned, not automatically granted

ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS AND ATTITUDES:
Backtalk; insolent or impudent retorts
Arguing
Silent protests
Flouting the rules of one's parents or society
Ignoring warnings
Risky behavior
Stubbornness
Lying
Doing something because it is forbidden or illegal
Participating in marches, sit-ins, protests, or revolutions
Deliberately engaging in activities that annoy those in charge
Joining a group with like-minded ideals and beliefs
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ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS:
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ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:
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POSITIVE ASPECTS:
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NEGATIVE ASPECTS:
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EXAMPLE FROM FILM:
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OVERCOMING THIS TRAIT AS A MAJOR FLAW:
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TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:
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