How to Use Character Flaws (and 73 Examples For Your Stories)

Perfect characters fall flat. Here’s how to introduce enough character flaws in each to make them feel real.

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Perfect characters are boring. No one wants to read about someone who’s always right, always good, and never struggles. What keeps readers hooked is watching flawed, real characters fight their battles, make mistakes, and grow.

A well-crafted character flaw can turn a flat protagonist into a layered, memorable hero, someone whose journey is gripping because it feels genuine. Whether it’s pride, fear, insecurity, or just a bit too much stubbornness, flaws breathe life into your characters and make them relatable.

Let’s talk about how to use character flaws effectively—and explore some powerful examples you can use in your own stories.

What is a character flaw?

A character flaw is a little crack in a character’s personality—a weakness, imperfection, or struggle that shapes the way they make decisions, build relationships, and move through the world.

These flaws are what make fictional characters feel like real people—because let’s face it, nobody’s perfect. In fact, flaws are often what separate a good character from a great character.

A hero who never makes mistakes? Boring. A villain who’s pure evil with no complexity? Predictable. But give them some quirks, insecurities, or blind spots, and suddenly, they come alive.

Flaws drive a character arc, shaping how a character grows over time. Some flaws are minor—a little impatience, a bad habit, an inability to let things go. Others run deeper, influencing every aspect of their life and relationships. These deep-seated flaws can even lead to a character’s downfall, pushing them to make mistakes or face major consequences.

Many flaws come from a character’s backstory and past experiences—maybe a flawed character struggles with trust because of a childhood betrayal, or perhaps they’re fiercely independent because, in real life, they had no one to rely on. These flaws can make characters more vulnerable, more human, and ultimately more relatable.

Even perfect characters need something to work through. The good guys might wrestle with pride, impatience, or a fear of failure, while a bad guy might have a weakness that makes them more than just a one-note villain. Choosing interesting character flaws can help fiction writers craft compelling characters that draw readers in and keep them hooked until the very last page.

Types of character flaws

Different types of flaws can help define a main character’s motivations, influence their actions, and make them relatable to readers. Let’s explore the various kinds of flaws that can elevate your story and turn a flat character into someone truly memorable.

Minor flaws

Minor character flaws are imperfections that don’t necessarily shape the plot but still add depth to a character and make them relatable. These flaws could be negative traits like impatience, a bad habit, or stubbornness—details that humanize a character without dramatically affecting the story’s outcome.

Incorporating minor flaws into your creative writing can help make even the most ideal archetype feel like someone from the real world.

For instance, a character’s life might be colored by quirks like being slightly forgetful or having a fear of public speaking. These are character weaknesses that, while not central to the story, still impact how a character interacts with others. Including minor character flaws makes for more well-rounded characters that add texture and authenticity to your story.

Major flaws

A major character flaw is a significant character trait that shapes the plot, defines character relationships, and drives the narrative forward. Unlike minor flaws, major flaws are core issues that can lead to substantial conflict and personal growth. These flaws can range from arrogance to deep-seated fears or destructive behavior—traits that have real consequences for the character and those around them.

A good character flaw is not just about making your character relatable; it should serve a crucial role in the story’s progression.

Using unique character flaws sets your characters apart from the typical hero or villain template, creating more complexity and depth. Developing major flaws requires an understanding of how these flaws affect not only the character but also the broader storyline. They push the character toward change, either leading to a resolution or resulting in failure, depending on how they address or ignore their flaws.

Fatal flaws

A fatal flaw, also known as a tragic flaw or hamartia, is a character trait so deeply rooted that it leads to the character’s ultimate downfall.

This flaw isn’t just a personality quirk or obstacle to overcome—it’s an intrinsic part of the character that often results in catastrophic consequences, making it a key element in classic tragedies.

The fatal flaw is often what makes the character compelling; it drives the narrative to its inevitable conclusion, whether it’s pride, obsession, or unchecked ambition. Think of characters like Macbeth, whose ambition is his hamartia, leading him to betrayal and, ultimately, his doom.

Fatal flaws like these often help convey a broader theme about human nature, power, or the inevitability of fate.

For writers, using a fatal flaw effectively can add emotional depth to a story. Here are a few writing tips to make the most out of a fatal flaw:

1. Ensure that the flaw is established early on, so readers understand its presence and potential consequences.

2. Tie the tragic flaw into the character’s goals and desires—this ensures that when the flaw leads to their downfall, it feels inevitable rather than forced.

3. Use the flaw to challenge not just the character but also the audience’s empathy—it’s what keeps the story complex and engaging.

Effectively incorporating fatal flaws can make your characters unforgettable, with deeply impactful arcs. Keeping this tool in your list of useful writing resources helps you build characters whose struggles and downfalls resonate with readers.

List of character flaws (with examples)

This list of common character flaws will help inspire and enrich your own storytelling. Using these flaws thoughtfully can help with character development and add depth to your writing.

1. Aggressive – Characters who use force or threats to get what they want. Example: Jack from Lord of the Flies.

2. Arrogant – Characters with an inflated sense of self-importance. Example: Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter.

3. Callous – Lacking empathy or being insensitive. Example: Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights.

4. Cautious – Overly hesitant, unable to take risks. Example: Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh.

5. Childish – Immature behavior, failing to grow up emotionally. Example: Peter Pan from Peter Pan.

6. Cold – Unemotional and unapproachable. Example: Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.

7. Compulsive – Driven by uncontrollable urges. Example: Hamlet from Hamlet.

8. Cowardly – Avoiding danger, often lacking self-worth. Example: Frank Cowperwood from The Financier.

9. Cynical – Distrusting others’ motives. Example: Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye.

10. Defensive – Quick to justify or defend actions. Example: George from Of Mice and Men.

11. Delusional – Holding onto beliefs despite overwhelming evidence. Example: Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby.

12. Dependent – Relying excessively on others. Example: Lennie from Of Mice and Men.

13. Dishonest – Lying or being deceitful. Example: Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby.

14. Distrustful – Unwilling to trust others easily. Example: Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games.

15. Emotionally detached – Unable to connect emotionally. Example: Sherlock Holmes from Sherlock Holmes series.

16. Excessive desire – Greedy, driven by an intense yearning. Example: Gollum from The Lord of the Rings.

17. Excessive pride (hubris) – Excessive pride that leads to a downfall. Example: Odysseus from The Odyssey.

18. Fearful – Overwhelmed by an irrational fear. Example: Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter (initially).

19. Gossipy – Talks excessively about others. Example: Miss Bates from Emma.

20. Greedy – Always wanting more, whether wealth or power. Example: Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol.

21. Gullible – Easily deceived. Example: Gulliver from Gulliver’s Travels.

22. Hardheaded – Refuses to change beliefs or opinions. Example: Anse Bundren from As I Lay Dying.

23. Humorless – Unable to see the lighter side of things. Example: Javert from Les Misérables.

24. Impulsive – Acts without considering consequences. Example: Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.

25. Jealous – Driven by envy of others. Example: Iago from Othello.

26. Judgmental – Quick to judge others. Example: Aunt March from Little Women.

27. Lacks common sense – Often makes illogical or poor decisions. Example: Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby.

28. Lazy – Avoiding hard work. Example: Bartleby from Bartleby, the Scrivener.

29. Lustful – Driven by desires. Example: Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby.

30. Manipulative – Using others for one’s advantage. Example: Cathy from East of Eden.

31. Meek – Lacks confidence, overly submissive. Example: Beth from Little Women.

32. Mistrustful – Suspicious of everyone. Example: Hamlet from Hamlet.

33. Moral death – Losing a moral compass and making unethical choices that lead to downfall. Example: Walter White from Breaking Bad.

34. Narcissistic – Obsessed with oneself. Example: Daisy Buchanan from The Great Gatsby.

35. Oblivious – Unaware of others’ feelings. Example: Lennie from Of Mice and Men.

36. Obsessive – Fixated on something or someone. Example: Captain Ahab from Moby-Dick.

37. Overconfident – Believing oneself to be incapable of failure. Example: Victor Frankenstein from Frankenstein.

38. Paranoid – Always believes others are out to harm them. Example: Macbeth from Macbeth.

39. Perfectionist – Driven by unrealistic standards. Example: Hermione Granger from Harry Potter.

40. Pessimistic – Always expects the worst. Example: Eeyore from Winnie-the-Pooh.

41. Possessive – Sees others as their property. Example: Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights.

42. Prejudiced – Harbors unfounded dislikes for people. Example: Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice (initially).

43. Prideful – Holds a high opinion of themselves. Example: Achilles from The Iliad.

44. Rash – Makes hasty decisions. Example: Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.

45. Reckless – Ignores consequences of actions. Example: Gatsby from The Great Gatsby.

46. Resentful – Holding grudges for a long time. Example: Miss Havisham from Great Expectations.

47. Rigid – Unable to adapt to change. Example: Inspector Javert from Les Misérables.

48. Ruthless – Will do anything to achieve a goal. Example: Lady Macbeth from Macbeth.

49. Self-centered – Concerned only with oneself. Example: Tom Buchanan from The Great Gatsby.

50. Self-control issues – Unable to moderate behavior. Example: Gollum from The Lord of the Rings.

51. Self-destructive – Engages in harmful behavior. Example: Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye.

52. Self-esteem issues – Lacks confidence. Example: Neville Longbottom from Harry Potter (initially).

53. Self-importance – Overestimates their value. Example: Mr. Collins from Pride and Prejudice.

54. Self-righteous – Believes only their morals are correct. Example: Javert from Les Misérables.

55. Self-sabotage – Prevents their own success. Example: Gatsby from The Great Gatsby.

56. Selfish – Prioritizes their needs over others. Example: Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind.

57. Short-tempered – Quick to anger. Example: Achilles from The Iliad.

58. Shy – Avoids social interaction. Example: Fanny Price from Mansfield Park.

59. Spiteful – Seeks revenge or harm. Example: Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights.

60. Stubborn – Refuses to change their mind. Example: Marmee from Little Women.

61. Superstitious – Guided by irrational beliefs. Example: Ichabod Crane from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

62. Suspicious – Distrusts others without reason. Example: Roger Chillingworth from The Scarlet Letter.

63. Tactless – Lacks empathy in conversations. Example: Mrs. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.

64. Timid – Fearful and lacking courage. Example: Piglet from Winnie-the-Pooh.

65. Too trusting – Easily taken advantage of. Example: Othello from Othello.

66. Unforgiving – Refuses to forgive others. Example: Medea from Medea.

67. Unpredictable – Erratic in behavior. Example: Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

68. Unreliable – Can’t be counted on. Example: Jordan Baker from The Great Gatsby.

69. Vain – Obsessed with appearances. Example: Narcissus from Greek mythology.

70. Vindictive – Desires revenge. Example: Iago from Othello.

71. Vulnerable – Easily hurt emotionally. Example: Frodo from The Lord of the Rings.

72. Wavering – Struggles to make decisions. Example: Hamlet from Hamlet.

73. Withdrawn – Avoids others. Example: Boo Radley from To Kill a Mockingbird.

These examples of character flaws are important tools for any fiction writer. They help create relatable and complex characters, transforming them from a mere template into memorable personalities.

By exploring different character weaknesses and traits, you can build richer characters and craft engaging, layered stories.