GENTLE DEFINITION:not harsh, brusque, or violent CATEGORIES:interactive SIMILAR ATTRIBUTES:benign, docile, mild POSSIBLE CAUSES: Being raised by loving caregivers Being naturally sensitive to the feelings of others Being protected or shielded from the world as a child Valuing all life ASSOCIATED BEHAVIORS: Graciousness Kindness Being soft-spoken Patience Exhibiting good manners Being considerate and loving Showing thoughtfulness for others Comforting those in need Modesty Being even-keeled Showing unconditional love Keeping to oneself Preferring quieter environments Having a non-threatening demeanor Speaking thoughtfully Rarely raising one’s voice Being respectful of the privacy of others Offering slow smiles Having a positive attitude Speaking in a calm, comforting tone Using careful movements and easy touches (patting an arm to show closeness, etc.) Taking moments for quiet reflection Enjoying being alone with one’s thoughts Avoiding crowds and noise Humming or singing softly during times of contentment Avoiding high drama and stressful situations Forging close friendships with a few people rather than having many friends Trustworthiness Being able to calm others and enable them to let down their guard Displaying concern for people, animals, or nature Optimism Being intuitive and observant Not being competitive Indulging in daydreams Showing an appreciation of beauty and art Reserving one’s opinion until it is requested Being noncombative; refusing to argue ASSOCIATED THOUGHTS: Hank is so stressed out. Maybe a walk after dinner will help him relax. I love it when I make Jill smile. She tries to hide it, but losing her job has taken a toll. If I stay calm, maybe everyone will stop shouting at each other. That poor cat’s skin and bones. I’ll coax her out with a can of tuna and take her home. ASSOCIATED EMOTIONS:curiosity, desire, gratitude, happiness, hopefulness, nostalgia POSITIVE ASPECTS:Gentle characters are soft-spoken, reflective, and observant. They are attuned to the emotions of others and can often help defuse tense situations. Thoughtful and respectful, they make great friends and can forge loving relationships. Their gentle nature often compels others to protect them and pay greater heed to their emotional needs. NEGATIVE ASPECTS:Gentle characters can have quieter personalities, which, from a literary standpoint, can put them in danger of fading on the page. They may have difficulty voicing their own desires and needs or pursuing them to the point of feeling fulfilled. If they live in a loud, busy environment that is not suited to their personality, they may become overly dependent on others. This can make characters like these appear weak to readers. EXAMPLE FROM FILM:When becoming stranded on a hostile planet, most aliens would go on the defensive. Instead, gentle E.T. (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) befriends a trio of siblings. He faces many indignities, such as having to live in Elliot’s closet, being disguised with flowery frocks and cosmetics by Gertie, and having to flee faceless government officials. But he consistently responds with kindness and empathy, shattering countless alien stereotypes and creating a truly unforgettable character.Other Examples from Literature:Black Beauty (Black Beauty), John Coffey (The Green Mile) TRAITS IN SUPPORTING CHARACTERS THAT MAY CAUSE CONFLICT:cruel, flaky, nervous, possessive, temperamental, volatile, repressed CHALLENGING SCENARIOS FOR THE GENTLE CHARACTER: PLOTLINE: Being faced with turmoil within the community (lawlessness, riots, impending war, etc.) PLOTLINE: Having others in danger and being forced to fight to save them PLOTLINE: Dealing with people who have no respect for those with quiet dispositions PLOTLINE: Having to play peacemaker between feuding family members PLOTLINE: Being betrayed by a loved one