Character Flaws

Need a character flaw?

Watch toddlers interact and listen to their parents or teachers correct their behavior.

"Tommy, don't hit Sara.  We don't hit girls."
"Sara, don't say mean things to Heather.  We talk nice to each other."
"Bruce, stop kissing Martha.  We don't kiss people unless it's appropriate."

And the list can go on.

Take those behaviors and "grow them up" into adult behaviors.

Man hits woman.
Girl bullies other girl.
Man treats woman like meat.

FARGO - Theme

The characters WANT money in the first half.
The characters LACK honesty in the second half.


I wrote awhile back about the Character Flaw in Fargo.  I stated that "Minnesota Nice" was the character trait that is the draw of the story but will need to be overcome if the goal is to be reached.

Another name for the thematic element of "Minnesota Nice" is Trust.

From the very beginning of the story, the Coen brothers weave this theme into the piece.

"This is a true story" is written on the screen right before it begins.  Most people in the audience/readers trust that if it is written then it probably is true.

Jerry trusts the kidnappers.

Jerry trusts his father in law.

Marge trusts Jerry

Marge trusts Mike

Once Marge learns that Mike has been lying to her.  She returns to question Jerry.

Trust has been broken and now it's game on.

  

FARGO - character flaw

The character flaw in Fargo is Minnesota Nice.  It's the simple, homey, comfortable, honest, way of life.

A character flaw is what makes the story interesting but also the thing that must be overcome, let go, put aside in order to reach the goal.

When Marge learns that her old friend Mike was lying to her, she realizes Jerry may be lying to her.

Character Flaw - the thing that matters most

I have to reiterate that the character flaw is the thing of your story.  It's whatever you find is the funniest part of your story if your writing a comedy.  The coolest if your writing action.  The scariest if your writing horror.

It's what is keeping your character from bonding with another.

It's what we fucking want so bad.

It's not snakes for Indiana Jones.  It's his desire to track down rare artifacts.

character strength

A character's strength is keeping their existing relationship together.  It is abused by the antagonist.  It's something positive but something they need to stop using to get what they want.

In another light you could call it their flaw.

Marlin from Finding Nemo is over protective.  It's a "white flaw"  like a "white lie"  From a distance it doesn't seem mean or bad but it's restraining Nemo from growing.

character flaw

Consider the most interesting aspect of your character as their character flaw.

Like Indiana Jones is great at finding artifacts but its also what gets him into relationship trouble.

Now on the other side of the spectrum...

Marlin from Finding Nemo is an over protective loving father.

Character Strength - Character Flaw

A Character Strength is what connects your main character to other relationships.

A Character Weakness is what disconnects your main character to other relationships.  And specifically to the person(s) they want to have a relationship with.


Indiana Jones for example:
Strength - his ability to find and bring back valuable artifacts
Weakness - He's flighty.  He's constantly on the move.  He doesn't have time to settle.

or flip it and call his artifact gathering ability his flaw(weakness)