Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Tuesday Tropes: The Quiet One



If your character is part of a group where one of the bunch doesn't have much to say, there's a reason for it. Either a gentle giant or soft spoken, this side character (rarely a MC) carries a lot of mystery, an excellent plot ploy that will drive your audience nuts - in a good way. 

The Quiet One - A character who doesn't speak much - but when they do, their words seem to have a greater impact over the others, even if it's nothing special.

Remember Zero from Holes (pictured above)? Winning example. He's named Zero because he doesn't talk. When he finally does, the table of boys freak out!

What makes this such a fun trope? Mind game manna! It gives characters either a soft side or an I'm-too-tough-to-bother-with-you vibe, making the other characters wonder what they're thinking, making the audience wonder what they're thinking. And there are real Quiet Ones, too. Maybe you knew one. Maybe you are one?


These characters have the uncanny ability to become the center of attention, even if they don't want it. I bet Silent Bob could say a few words about that. Or not.


Remember Mr. Edward? Odd looking duck, but his quiet, soft-spoken nature won the hearts of the community he entered, as well as the girl next door's. No matter what they look like, they seem to grab the ladies attention.

Well, most of the time.

(If the Quiet One's a girl, it often translates as "cute.")

Universally, when The Quiet One speaks, heads turn. Having been a Quiet One myself, I've seen the impact it makes. Nerve-racking and makes for great comedy!

Do you have a favorite Quiet One? Have you written one? Main character? Tender, traumatized, or tough?

I'm David, and it's J.R.R. Tolkien's birthday!

 Celebrate with a second breakfast!

31 comments:

  1. I don't know that she was super quiet, but Luna Lovegood was always one of my favorites. When she finally spoke up heads definitely turned.

    Great post David!

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  2. I don't have a favorite 'quiet one' but one of the characters in my ms (actually one of the two MCs) is very quiet. So much so its pointed out by the other characters a number of times.

    However...she's not quiet to the audience because the story is told from her perspective half the time. :)

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  3. I've been told that I'm a quiet one, but that's usually before someone gets to know me. I really like Zero's character in Holes. He's one of my favorites. There's so much important plot details in that small quiet character. I actually want to try writing a book that's got more perspective from a "quiet one". Great post! :)

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  4. Zero was a pretty cool character. Holes was all around great. I can't immediately think of a Quiet one right now. Will have to contemplate.

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  5. Yay, maybe not Darth Maul. hee hee. I have to agree that Zero was a great character. I don't think I have a favorite, but I will be watching for quiet characters from now on. =)

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  6. I love Zero! I've written a pretty tough quiet character too, but the ice block around her chips away throughout the book.

    I really like Luna from Harry Potter. I'm not sure if you'd call her quiet per-se, but her lines tend to have more impact even through her light-hearted voice.

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  7. Ah, Zero. :) He's the best.
    I use quiet characters in a few of my mss--I love how you can withold things from your readers without being too gimmicky about it.

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  8. I can't think of my favorite quiet one right now, but Zero is fantastic! Great post :)

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  9. I have a minor character, a navigator, who's quieter than his pilot, in both books. He does speak, just his more reserved nature balances the other one's outspokenness.

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  10. In my current WIP, I have a secondary character that is normally reserved and quiet, up until someone pushes her buttons. It's a great way to keep the reader engaged and show characterization by what someone doesn't say.

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  11. Don't forget about Silent Bob. I hear the upcoming movie RISE OF THE GUARDIANS has The Sandman whom they portray as a silent monk type of character. Sounds wicked.

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  12. I cannot believe you posted this with no mention of Silent Bob...the quintessential character that says nothing and then steals the entire scene when he speaks once during a movie.

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  13. Good examples:) I also like the characters who not only rarely speak, but aren't understood by most of the other characters, i.e. Chewie in Star Wars.

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  14. I'm glad you're not cutting out Trope Tuesdays! I love these posts. And yes... you are the quiet one. I love it when Sphinx finally speaks at the end of GONE IN 60 SECONDS. lol. That part is great!

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  15. I just saw this on an episode of Psych. I like these tropes. It's good to study tried and true tricks.

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  16. Love your posts! I have the opposite of a quiet one in my ms. He can't stop talking, but he gets away with saying anything he wants, so he's fun to write. Maybe I need to add a quiet one too...

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  17. Well, of course, there is the brooding Mr. Darch in Pride and Prejudice! But in general, I agree: the quiet characters can get your attention, and that is a nice reminder while I rewrite my current WIP. Now I am wondering: Do I even HAVE a quiet character? Hmm.

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  18. Quiet characters can be the most powerful person in your books sometimes. Because when they speak people take note. Great post.

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  19. Joshua, Michael - I can't believe I didn't think of Silent Bob! I clearly didn't pay attention. He's up there now. He must be!

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  20. Quiet ones generally are my favorites in novels. They always steal the scene (especially in Phantom Menace WHEN HE FINALLY TALKS!!!!)

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  21. I'm giving you props just for having SilentBob up there. I write too much dialogue. My characters are rarely quiet!

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  22. We've got one of those at work. She's a quiet department head, but when she speaks people stop and take note.

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  23. One of my characters is the quiet one. She will have a tremendous impact on the story.

    And yes I will have a second breakfast,...this afternoon....

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  24. I've written a grand total of 1 quiet one. She had lots of secrets too. I love the quiet ones though. I'd name my favourites, but they all fled from my head!

    Happy Birthday to Tolkien! I'll take that second breakfast thank you.

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  25. The MC of my NaNoWriMo novel was a quiet one; he doesn't speak much, especially compared to the antagonist, who spoke at least twice as much, if not more.

    Happy Birthday to Tolkien! :)

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  26. The quiet one is one of my favorite characters to read about, but I never seem to have a character turn out that way. Maybe I'm just to innately outspoken to pull it off, haha! Great post :)

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  27. I really enjoy the "quiet one" trope. One of the most powerful examples (and one of my faves) is the little girl from the Patriot, who doesn't talk until her father is riding away to war. She only says six words, but it's one of the emotional high points of the movie.

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  28. I like Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. And Arnold from Kipper. Do they count? Can you tell I have kids?

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  29. I do have one! I didn't notice until now, though. I think he has one line in the whole book, yet he's always around. Interesting...

    Well, now I know what I can do with this character.

    -Jackson

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  30. Aww, happy b'day J.R.R.!

    As for Quiet Ones, ummm...I can't think of any off the top of my head (of my own that is), but I do like them!

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  31. Ah, loved Holes!

    I haven't written a quiet character yet, which is interesting because I was incredibly shy (and quiet) growing up. Might have to think about that for my next MS...

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