passive character
[ˈpæsɪv ˈkærəktər]
nounpl: passive characters
personagem passiva
1. A fictional or real person who reacts to events rather than initiating action; someone who lacks agency or actively shapes their circumstances
The protagonist was criticized for being a passive character who simply accepted whatever happened to him.
A protagonista foi criticada por ser uma personagem passiva que simplesmente aceitava tudo que lhe acontecia.
2. In literature and film, a character whose actions are driven primarily by external forces or other characters' decisions
Unlike the active villain, the passive character in this story serves mainly as a victim.
Diferentemente do vilão ativo, a personagem passiva nesta história serve principalmente como vítima.
3. A person in real life who tends to be submissive, non-assertive, or dependent on others for decision-making
She realized she had developed a passive character trait that prevented her from advancing in her career.
Ela percebeu que havia desenvolvido um traço de personagem passiva que a impedia de avançar em sua carreira.
The concept of 'passive character' is frequently discussed in Brazilian and American literary criticism, particularly in character development courses. In American entertainment, audiences often criticize protagonists for being too passive, preferring characters who drive their own narratives. This reflects broader cultural values emphasizing personal agency and self-determination in both societies.
NYC Slang
a do-nothing character; someone who just goes with the flow
Related Idioms & Phrases
a passenger in one's own story
letting life happen to you
taking a back seat
being swept along by events
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