Character Trait: Bullying

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. Bullying is a negative character trait that refers to the act of using one's power, strength, or influence to intimidate, harm, or control others. It involves an imbalance of power where the bully uses their position to intentionally hurt, embarrass, or belittle others, often repeatedly and over a prolonged period. This trait can manifest in various forms such as physical aggression, verbal abuse, social exclusion, or cyberbullying. It often stems from insecurities, a need for control, or a desire to feel superior to others. However, it is a harmful behavior that can have serious consequences for both the victim and the bully.

Possible causes of being bullying

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

• Insecurity and fear of being inferior or inadequate
• Lack of empathy and understanding of others' feelings
• Cultural or societal norms that normalize or encourage aggressive behavior
• Influence of family or peers who engage in bullying behavior
• Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
• Past experiences of being bullied or abused themselves
• Difficulty regulating emotions and impulses
• Seeking power and control over others

For detailed feedback on bullying characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot coherence checker.

Behaviors associated with being bullying

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

• Damaging or stealing belongings of others
• Verbal abuse like name-calling, insults, or teasing
• Intimidation or threatening behavior
• Spreading rumors or lies about others
• Physical aggression such as hitting, kicking, or pushing others
• Excluding or isolating someone from a group intentionally
• Cyberbullying through social media, emails, or text messages

Attitudes associated with being bullying

You may be able to show bullying through their attitudes.

• Lack of empathy
• Overbearing behavior
• Aggressiveness
• Need for control
• Contempt for others
• Cruelty
• Intolerance
• Manipulativeness
• Insecurity

Thoughts and struggles associated with being bullying

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

• Tendency to blame others for their own problems
• Difficulty empathizing with others
• Difficulty recognizing the harm they are causing
• Fear of being rejected by peers
• Possible past experiences of being bullied themselves
• Lack of positive role models or guidance
• Need for control and power over others
• Struggle with guilt and shame over their actions
• Insecurity and low self-esteem

Emotions associated with being bullying

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

• Frustration
• Isolation
• Humiliation
• Low self-esteem
• Shame
• Anxiety
• Anger
• Insecurity
• Fear

Facial expressions associated with being bullying

Here are some facial expressions your bullying character may exhibit.

• Raised eyebrows
• Tensing of the jaw or facial muscles
• Narrowed eyes
• Sneering or smirking
• Flaring of the nostrils
• Curling or tightening of the lips
• Squinting or glaring
• Stiffening or tensing of the neck and shoulders

Body language associated with being bullying

Here is some body language your bullying character may exhibit.

• Speaking in a loud and threatening tone
• Snarling or sneering
• Pointing fingers at others
• Standing too close to others
• Making aggressive gestures with hands and arms
• Interrupting others or talking over them
• Squinting eyes or staring down at others
• Leaning forward aggressively
• Crossing arms in a confrontational manner
• Clenching fists
• Invading personal space
• Raising eyebrows in a challenging way
• Standing tall and puffing out chest

For detailed feedback on bullying characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's plot coherence checker.

Behaviors associated with being bullying

Here are some behaviors your bullying character may exhibit.

• Spreading rumors or lies about others
• Damaging or stealing belongings of others
• Physical aggression such as hitting, kicking, or pushing others
• Cyberbullying through social media, emails, or text messages
• Verbal abuse like name-calling, insults, or teasing
• Intimidation or threatening behavior
• Excluding or isolating someone from a group intentionally

Growth and evolution of bullying characters

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

• Forming positive relationships and learning to communicate effectively without aggression or intimidation
• Overcoming personal struggles or traumas that may have contributed to their bullying behavior
• Facing consequences for their actions and taking responsibility for their behavior
• Learning to stand up for themselves and others without resorting to bullying tactics
• Developing empathy for their victims and attempting to make amends
• Recognizing the harm caused by their behavior and making a conscious effort to change their ways
• Gaining self-awareness and understanding the root causes of their behavior

Stereotypes of bullying characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical bullying character like these examples.

• Avoid making all bullies come from troubled or abusive homes
• Avoid making all bullies popular or socially confident
• Avoid making all bullies target the same type of victim
• Avoid making all bullies physically aggressive or violent
• Avoid making all bullies lack empathy or feel no remorse
• Avoid making all bullies have the same motivation or reason for bullying

Negatives of being bullying

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

• Limits the victim's ability to succeed and reach their full potential
• Can lead to long-lasting psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression
• Harms the bully as well, by perpetuating negative behavior patterns and limiting their ability to form healthy relationships
• Creates a hostile and unsafe environment
• Can lead to physical harm or injury
• Causes emotional distress for the victim
• Can result in social isolation and exclusion
• Often perpetuates cycles of violence and aggression

Positives of being bullying

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

• Strength: Overcoming bullying can make individuals stronger, both mentally and emotionally.

Verbal expressions of bullying characters

Here are some potential expressions used by bullying characters.

• Intimidating or harassing someone
• Using physical force or violence
• Teasing or mocking someone
• Spreading rumors or gossip
• Name-calling or insulting language
• Threatening language or behavior
• Excluding someone from a group or activity
• Making someone feel embarrassed or ashamed

Relationships of bullying characters

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

• Dominance and control over the person being bullied
• Social exclusion and isolation from peers
• Physical aggression and violence
• Undermining the confidence and self-esteem of the person being bullied
• Creating a hierarchy where the bully is at the top and others are beneath them
• Manipulation and coercion to get what they want
• Intimidation and fear tactics to maintain power
• Using gossip and rumors to damage reputations
• Verbal abuse and name-calling

Examples from books of characters who are bullying

• Percy Wetmore from The Green Mile by Stephen King
• Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Bob Ewell from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Nurse Ratched from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
• Gaston from Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
• Regina George from Mean Girls by Rosalind Wiseman
• Buddy Revell from Three O'Clock High by Richard Christian Matheson
• Jack Merridew from Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Writing exercises for writing bullying characters

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

• Write a scene where your bully character is forced to confront the consequences of their actions. How do they react? Do they take responsibility or try to shift the blame onto someone else?
• Imagine a scenario where your character physically bullies someone else. What actions do they take? How does the victim respond, and how does your character justify their behavior to themselves?
• Imagine a scenario where your bully character is in a position of vulnerability or weakness. How do they react when someone else tries to take advantage of them? Do they lash out or try to seek help?
• Write a scene where your character verbally bullies someone else. What specific words or phrases do they use to intimidate or belittle the other person? How does the victim react?
• Create a dialogue between your bully character and a friend or family member who confronts them about their behavior. How does your character react? Do they show remorse or defiance?
• Write a character profile for your bully character. What motivates them to behave this way? Do they have a history of being bullied themselves? Are they seeking power or control over others?
• Write a flashback scene that shows a formative experience in your bully character's life. What happened to them that made them start behaving this way? How did they first learn to use intimidation or violence to get what they wanted?