What a character arc is
A character arc is the way a character changes, or deliberately does not change, over the course of a story. Most arcs center on a shift in belief, outlook, or morality. A character begins with a certain view of themselves and the world, is tested by events, and ends in a different place, or holds firm against pressure.
Quick list of character arcs
| Arc | Starting point | Ending point |
|---|---|---|
| Positive change (growth) | A flaw or false belief | A healthier truth |
| Redemption | Morally compromised | Atones or does right |
| Fall (tragic) | Good or hopeful | Ruined by flaws or choices |
| Corruption | Decent | Embraces something harmful |
| Disillusionment | Naive or hopeful | Bleaker, wiser view |
| Flat | Firm in a truth | Same belief, tested, and changes others |
| Coming-of-age | Innocent or inexperienced | More mature understanding |
Writers and teachers group these differently, so you may see other names or categories. The overall framework of positive, negative, and flat arcs is common.
Positive change arc
The character starts with a misbelief and gradually learns a better way to see things. Often a “want” (what they think they need) gives way to a “need” (what they actually need). Jane Eyre is frequently cited as an example of a growth arc, as she develops her sense of self-worth and independence.
Redemption arc
A redemption arc follows a character who has done wrong, or who stands on the wrong side, and who moves toward making amends. It needs a believable cause for change and some cost. Characters often named in discussions of redemption include Darth Vader in Star Wars, Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Rankings such as “top 10 redemption arcs” are subjective, so treat any list as one opinion.
Negative arcs
Fall
A character starts in a good place and loses it through flawed choices. Tragedies often follow this shape. Macbeth is a common example of a character whose ambition leads to ruin.
Corruption
A character begins with decent values and gradually adopts harmful ones. Anakin Skywalker’s path in the Star Wars prequels is frequently cited, as is Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
Disillusionment
A character begins with hope or naivety and ends with a harsher view of the world. The emphasis is on loss of illusion rather than moral downfall. The Great Gatsby is often discussed in these terms, though readers interpret it differently.
Flat arc
In a flat arc, the main character does not change in a fundamental way. They hold a truth and the world around them is changed, or tested, by that steadiness. Many mentor or hero figures follow this pattern. For one type that often works this way, see sage character examples.
Coming-of-age and other variants
Coming-of-age stories are a recognizable kind of positive arc, where the central change is growing up; see identity crisis in literature for how that change is often framed. Other variants combine arcs: a character may gain in one area while losing in another, or a character who seems to be falling may be learning something painful.
How to write a character arc
- Define the starting belief. What does your character wrongly or rightly believe at the start?
- Give them a want and a need. The gap between them drives the story.
- Build pressure. Place events that challenge the belief at rising intensity.
- Show a turning point. A choice or discovery shifts the character’s course.
- Show the result. Demonstrate the change through action, not only through narration.
- Echo the beginning. A mirrored scene at the end can make the change visible.
Voice and setting reinforce an arc: a character’s speech can change as they do, which you can explore in different voices in writing, and a setting can reflect growth, as shown in our scene setting examples.
What is a contagonist?
A contagonist is a character who obstructs the protagonist without being the main antagonist. They may have good intentions or be an ally who creates friction. The term is used by some writing teachers and is not universal, but it names a useful role: someone whose actions complicate the protagonist’s path and push their arc forward.
Types of characters in a story
You may also see lists of character types, such as protagonist, antagonist, foil, mentor, sidekick, love interest, and so on. Nine or ten items are common, but lists vary. These roles are different from arcs: any of them can be given an arc of their own. Character is also one of the basic literary elements of a short story.