There are three main types of character arcs: positive, negative and flat/static. This is the second of three blogs that will analyze these types of character arcs. (Warning: spoilers ahead.)
The Negative Character Arc is one where the character’s life takes a turn for the worse during the course of the story. They shun their past or former beliefs for new, darker ones. They take a tragic path. This is the type of story where someone makes a fateful decision that changes everything. Or one in which they fail to overcome a flaw or fear that ultimately causes others harm. It’s Voldemort choosing to make his horcruxes. Anakin Skywalker choosing to slay the Jedi.
This is the story arc that eschews the happy ending. There’s no happily ever after allowed for these characters. They embrace the evil within them and relish doing harm to others. It’s the classic killer story arc. Think Hannibal Lecter, Ted Bundy, Death Eaters.
Sometimes the character takes a negative turn by choice. Other times they may be disillusioned or tricked by another who takes advantage of their naivety. Perhaps they are ignorant of the consequences of their actions? Sometimes they end up in a bad place because of a single bad decision that starts a chain reaction that cannot be overcome. Think Dr. Horrible in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog.
A character stuck in a negative character arc cannot change the outcome no matter what they do. They are bound for a downfall. It may be that they reject traditional ways or find the wrong choice more appealing for whatever reason. Ultimately, they are corrupted by their new way of thinking. A negative character arc depends on faulty thinking. The character believes something that puts them on the wrong path and they won’t or can’t see the truth.
These are depressing stories without no redemption. There are no final hour rescues here. These characters are doomed to live out their choices. They are often emotionally damaged in some way or carry wounds, grudges and perceived slights. They have their own code of behavior that is counter to everyone else’s code. Their choices are what cause their internal conflict. External conflicts are typically caused by challenges to his or her new goals. This character arc belongs to the villain.
There are three main types of negative character arcs: the harsh reality of their lives causes them to take the wrong turn (Voldemort); they experience a tragic downfall that leads to their evil end (The Joker); or they are corrupted by another and embraces the dark side. Think Anakin Skywalker here. He is turned by Emperor Palpatine and becomes Darth Vader.
The negative character arc leaves a character in a worse place than where they began. This is a descending arc. It falls away and leaves a bitter, depressed, evil character in its wake.
Here are a few examples of a negative character arc:
Voldemort from Harry Potter
This is a typical negative arc story. Voldemort begins as Tom Riddle, an orphan who is cast aside and hurting. He discovers his abilities by chance and uses them to menace the other children. It is not an auspicious beginning, but it devolves throughout his years at Hogwarts, until he transitions into Lord Voldemort. By then his course is set. There can be no redemption for him.
Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars
Anakin begins his journey as a child who is rescued from a slave life by the Jedi and trained to become a Jedi himself. But he begins his training late and has trouble accepting all of the tenets of the Jedi ways, especially those prohibiting love. He falls for Padmé Amidala and marries her though forbidden to Jedi. When he is told her life is in danger, he chooses to align himself with a Sith Lord so he can save her, but it is a lie. By the time he realizes that, it is too late. He has done things that cannot be undone. He ends up becoming Darth Vader, leaving his old self and life behind, turning into the villain of the story.
Salieri from Amadeus
In the beginning, Anotonio Salieri, is a great composer to the court of Vienna. He is successful and proud of his position. Until Mozart appears on the scene. Jealousy and envy turn his character, twisting him into a man capable of anything. In the movie, he torments Mozart and works against him. It is implied he even poisons and, perhaps, kills him. (Note: this is the story in the movie, it is not actual history. There was no proof that Salieri did any of these things.) But the movie version of Salieri is a great example of how a good character can go bad.
Magneto from X-Men
In the beginning, we see Magneto as a friend to Professor X. But with clashes between humans and mutants, Magneto begins to believe mutants are more worthy than non-mutant humans. He puts his kind above all others and begins plotting against those who are threatened by those who are different. His arc is done in a way that makes sense. It’s completely understandable given his experiences during the Holocaust, though not laudable.
Syndrome from Pixar’s Incredibles
Syndrome begins his story as a fan of Mr. Incredible. He wants to help and be a sidekick. It is only after he is rejected that he lets his anger and resentment change him. In the end, his desire to get rid of all superheroes leads to his downfall. He kills any superhero he can find and tries to make them obsolete. He ends up in a much darker place than he began.
Other examples include:
Oedipus
The Joker from Batman
Hamlet in Shakespeare’s play of the same name
Dorian Gray in The Picture of Dorian Gray
Gollum in The Lord of the Rings
In all of these stories, the character ends in a bad way. They are evil or broken. Driven mad or full of despair. Their arcs take a noticeable and tragic turn.
The next blog will discuss Flat or Static Arcs.