Character Trait: Gentle

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait "gentle" refers to someone who is kind, mild, and tender in nature. A gentle person is someone who is considerate of others and treats them with respect and empathy. They are often soft-spoken and non-confrontational, preferring to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and diplomatic manner. A gentle character is characterized by their ability to show compassion and understanding towards others, and to approach difficult situations with a calm and patient demeanor. Overall, a gentle character is someone who is nurturing and supportive, and who strives to make the world a better place by treating others with kindness and empathy.

Possible causes of being gentle

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

• Genetics: Some research suggests that personality traits may be partially inherited through genetics, so it's possible that someone may have a gentle personality due to their genes.
• Life experiences: Someone who has experienced trauma or difficult situations may develop a gentle personality as a coping mechanism or a way to bring peace to their surroundings.
• Upbringing: A person's upbringing can greatly influence their personality traits. If someone was raised in a calm and nurturing environment, they may develop a gentle nature.
• Personal values: Someone who highly values kindness, compassion, and empathy may naturally develop a gentle personality as these traits align with their beliefs.

Behaviors associated with being gentle

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

• Handling situations with care and sensitivity
• Using gentle physical touch or gestures
• Being non-judgmental and accepting of others' flaws and weaknesses
• Speaking softly and calmly
• Being patient and considerate towards others
• Using polite and courteous language
• Showing empathy and understanding towards others
• Avoiding aggressive or confrontational behavior
• Respecting others' boundaries and personal space

Attitudes associated with being gentle

You may be able to show gentle through their attitudes.

• Thoughtful
• Understanding
• Kindness
• Compassion
• Patience
• Calmness
• Tenderness
• Forgiving
• Empathy
• Humility
• Soft-spoken
• Considerate
• Respectful
• Non-judgmental

Thoughts and struggles associated with being gentle

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

• They may have a tendency to apologize excessively, even when they are not at fault.
• They may be highly empathetic and feel deeply for others, often putting their own needs aside.
• They may have a fear of conflict and avoid confrontation at all costs.
• They may feel a sense of responsibility for the emotions and well-being of those around them.
• They may feel guilty or ashamed when they do express their needs or desires.
• They may struggle with feeling taken advantage of or not being valued by others.
• The gentle character may struggle with assertiveness and standing up for themselves.
• They may struggle with self-assertion and standing up for themselves, even in situations where it is necessary.
• They may have a hard time saying "no" or setting boundaries.

Emotions associated with being gentle

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

• Understanding
• Tenderness
• Empathy
• Kindness
• Patience
• Compassion
• Calmness
• Softness
• Sincerity

Facial expressions associated with being gentle

Here are some facial expressions your gentle character may exhibit.

• Slow and deliberate movements
• Relaxed and gentle facial muscles
• Soft smile
• A slight blush or warm glow
• A serene and peaceful facial expression
• A faint and gentle laugh or giggle
• Kind eyes
• A gentle touch or caress
• A tilt of the head

Body language associated with being gentle

Here is some body language your gentle character may exhibit.

• Listening actively and attentively
• Relaxed and comfortable posture
• Calm and soothing voice tone
• Avoiding aggressive or confrontational behavior
• Soft and slow movements
• Smiling and gentle facial expressions
• Expressing empathy and compassion
• Light touch or no physical contact
• Delicate and deliberate gestures

Behaviors associated with being gentle

Here are some behaviors your gentle character may exhibit.

• Handling situations with care and sensitivity
• Avoiding aggressive or confrontational behavior
• Using gentle physical touch or gestures
• Showing empathy and understanding towards others
• Being non-judgmental and accepting of others' flaws and weaknesses
• Being patient and considerate towards others
• Respecting others' boundaries and personal space
• Speaking softly and calmly
• Using polite and courteous language

Growth and evolution of gentle characters

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

• Learning to stand up for themselves and assert their boundaries
• Overcoming their fears and taking risks to pursue their dreams
• Discovering inner strength and resilience they didn't know they had
• Letting go of past traumas and moving forward with a positive outlook
• Becoming more confident in their abilities and decisions
• Realizing the importance of self-care and taking time for themselves
• Learning to forgive themselves and others for mistakes
• Developing a deeper understanding and empathy for those around them
• Finding a balance between being kind and being taken advantage of

Stereotypes of gentle characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical gentle character like these examples.

• Being too self-sacrificing and neglecting their own needs
• Passive behavior that makes the character seem weak or indecisive
• Lack of assertiveness in standing up for themselves or others
• Being too forgiving or not holding others accountable for their actions
• Being a pushover or allowing others to take advantage of them
• Overly emotional or easily overwhelmed by their feelings
• Inability to set boundaries or say no to others

Negatives of being gentle

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

• Being seen as overly accommodating or people-pleasing
• Being overly sensitive or easily hurt by others' words or actions
• Having difficulty standing up for oneself or making tough decisions
• Being seen as weak or indecisive
• Being taken advantage of by others
• Struggling to assert oneself in social or professional situations
• Being seen as overly passive or submissive
• Having difficulty setting boundaries and saying no to others' requests or demands

Positives of being gentle

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

• Gentleness can promote trust and build strong relationships with others.
• A gentle character can be approachable and non-threatening, making others feel comfortable around them.
• A gentle character can diffuse tense situations and conflicts with their calm and patient demeanor.
• Gentleness can demonstrate emotional intelligence and sensitivity towards others' feelings.
• Being gentle allows characters to show kindness and compassion towards others.
• Being gentle can show humility and a lack of ego, making a character more relatable and likable.

Verbal expressions of gentle characters

Here are some potential expressions used by gentle characters.

• Considerate
• Tender
• Caring
• Gracious
• Delicate
• Understanding
• Compassionate
• Kind-hearted
• Mild-mannered
• Soft-spoken
• Thoughtful
• Patient
• Empathetic
• Polite

Relationships of gentle characters

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

• Gentle people are typically loyal and devoted to their loved ones.
• Gentle people often act as peacemakers and mediators in conflicts between others.
• Gentle people tend to have harmonious relationships with others and avoid conflict.
• Gentle people often have a calming presence and are able to diffuse tense situations.
• They prioritize empathy and understanding in their interactions with others.
• Gentle people tend to prioritize the needs of others over their own.
• They may have difficulty dealing with aggressive or confrontational personalities.
• They may struggle with asserting themselves and setting boundaries, leading to passive behavior in relationships.
• They may be more sensitive to criticism and take it to heart.

Examples from books of characters who are gentle

• Hazel Grace Lancaster from "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
• August Pullman from "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio
• Bilbo Baggins from "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Ponyboy Curtis from "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton
• Charlie Bucket from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl
• Atticus Finch from "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee
• Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Anne Shirley from "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery
• Mr. Rogers from "The Good Neighbor" by Maxwell King

Writing exercises for writing gentle characters

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

• Have your gentle character offer to help someone in need, even if it inconveniences them.
• Write a scene where your gentle character stands up for someone who is being mistreated or bullied.
• Have your gentle character show patience and understanding towards someone who is struggling or learning something new.
• Write a scene where your gentle character forgives someone who has wronged them, without seeking revenge or holding a grudge.
• Write a scene where your gentle character is comforting someone who is upset or going through a difficult time.
• Write a conversation where your gentle character speaks kindly and respectfully, even in the face of conflict or disagreement.
• Write a conversation where your gentle character actively listens to another character without interrupting or dismissing their thoughts and feelings.
• Show your gentle character being selfless, putting the needs of others before their own.
• Show your gentle character expressing empathy towards others, even those they may disagree with or have conflicting opinions.