Category:The Idealist: Difference between revisions

{{IndexTrope}}

A character who genuinely believes that their world is [[A World Half Full]]; that [[Humans Are Good]], or at least that [[Rousseau Was Right]] and a person who will tell you that if you think it's wrong to hope that [[Madoka Magica|you're wrong every time]]. They will take ideals that others have for the future and [[Earn Your Happy Ending|will do everything they can to take them to fruition]], [[Knight Templar|sometimes going too far.]]

If you begin to [[Deconstruction|deconstruct]] their idea, they will immediately begin to [[Reconstruction|reconstruct it.]] This character will take their (perceived) [[Crapsack World]], and [[Knight in Shining Armor|keep]] [[The Pollyanna|moving]] [[The Messiah|for]][[Meet the Robinsons|ward]].

The way that an idealist can do this even in the face of adversity and [[Kill'Em All|certain death]] is by focusing primarily on non-material things. Of particular note are the famous/infamous trio of [[The Power of Trust|faith]], [[Determinator|hope]] and [[The Power of Love|love]]. Though having any religious grounds for their worldview can usually explain an idealistic perspective, and can be played both positively and negatively.

In fiction, (and perhaps as an instance of [[Truth in Fiction]]) idealists are often seen in the role of the main character- usually [[The Hero]]- for their tendency to act from internal motivation. However, they can take other forms if idealism is being [[Wide-Eyed Idealist|heavily criticized]] by more cynical writers, or played as [[Knight Templar|the villain]]. A big draw of putting them in a main position being: "No [[Revenge|revenge plot]] necessary!" They motivate themselves.

This character is likely to show up in any work. However, they can exist in a [[Sugar Bowl]], where they are always right, or in a [[Crapsack World]], where [[Wide-Eyed Idealist|they exist]] [[Break the Cutie|solely to be proven wrong (and often brutally killed for drama)]].

The polar opposite of [[The Cynic]].

This is a [[Super-Trope]], so examples should go to the relevant sub-pages if possible.

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Idealism Tropes]]

[[Category:Characters]]

[[Category:Archetypal Character]]

[[Category:The Idealist]]

{{related|Idealism Tropes}}

{{related|Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism}}