Fleshing out characters, by connecting them to objects.
Sub-index of Characterization Tropes.
Signature Tropes have a lot of overlap, in being something that's tied to a character, so automatically it characterizes them... But, some examples aren't In-Universe physical objects, so they don't count here.
See also Characterization by Relation.
Sub-indexes:
Sub-tropes:
- #1 Dime: A mundane item with pricelessly sentimental value to a certain character.
- Ace Custom
- Addiction Displacement: Character uses a safer addiction in place of a destructive one.
- Beetle Maniac: Character who has a fascination with bugs, mainly beetles.
- Caged Bird Metaphor: Character is associated with a caged bird.
- Calling Card
- Chest of Medals: Character in the military whose uniform features an improbable number of medals.
- Coin Walk Flexing: A character with a history of practicing sleight of hand or being a gambler may walk a coin across their fingers.
- Companion Cube
- Descent into Addiction: A character's story arc involves them becoming dependent on a substance.
- Family Portrait of Characterization
- Fatal Family Photo
- Friendship Trinket
- Glasses Curiosity: When a character wants to try on the glasses of others.
- Hair Memento: A piece of a loved one's hair, held as a sentimental item.
- I Call Him "Mister Happy"
- I Call It "Vera": Characters naming their weapons, usually with feminine names.
- Iconic Outfit
- It Was a Gift
- Kitsch Collection: A large collection of objects well maintained by the collector.
- Literally Prized Possession: A lot can be said about a character depending on how they view a possession they won as a prize.
- Living Emotional Crutch: When they're not another character / person.
- The Magazine Rule: A character subscribes to a weirdly specific fandom magazine that represents who they are.
- Magic Feather
- Memento MacGuffin
- Oral Fixation: A character who feels the need to suck or chew on something such as a toothpick or a cigarette.
- Orphan's Plot Trinket
- Personal Arcade: A character has commercial pinball and/or video game machines for his own amusement.
- Poster-Gallery Bedroom: A character's personality can be seen from the way they decorate their room.
- Precious Photo
- Security Blanket
- Sentimental Shabbiness
- Single Substance Manipulation
- Signature Device
- Signature Headgear
- Signature Instrument
- Snow Globe of Innocence
- Toy-Based Characterization: A person's favorite toy, or the way they play with their toys, says something about their personality.
- Trademark Favorite Food
- Tragic Keepsake
- Vanity License Plate: A character puts a unique license plate on their vehicle to make it look cooler.
- Vehicle-Based Characterization
- Weapon-Based Characterization
- Weapons of Their Trade: A character's choice of Improvised Weapon is a reflection on their job.
