Basic Trope: Character becomes more idealist over time.
- Straight: Bob was The Eeyore but after meeting with Alice, he sees the world through an optimistic viewpoint.
- Exaggerated: Bob used to be the Straw Nihilist. Now he is so idealistic that he sees the good in everything and everyone.
- Downplayed: Bob believes that Humans Are Bastards, but learns that they aren't that bad.
- Justified: Bob is exposed to small acts of kindness in the world that directly contrast his cynical viewpoint, which leads to him becoming a little more idealistic.
- Inverted: Took a Level in Cynic
- Subverted: Bob is betrayed by Alice and finds out that her random act of kindness was a lie.
- Double Subverted: What Bob thought was a betrayal was simply a misunderstanding on his part. Feeling bad for his assumption, Bob decides to humor her- for now.
- Parodied: Bob starts out as an Omnicidal Maniac Straw Nihilist. Alice thanking him for throwing an empty water bottle into a recycling bin instantly changes Bob into an All-Loving Hero Anti-Nihilist.
- Zig Zagged: Bob starts out as a cynical Straw Nihilist, but Alice's acts of kindness cause him to rethink his attitude. However, seeing Alice get angry reminds him of his original philosophy, which causes him to revert to his old viewpoint, but then he learns An Aesop about how everyone gets mad, leading him to become more idealistic...
- Averted:
- Bob remains cynical even in the best of times.
- Bob never goes through anything that can turn him from his cynicism.
- Bob is always optimistic.
- Bob is a realist and stays that way.
- Enforced: "Bob's cynical attitude is making the story depressing. How about we make him lighten up so the viewers will like the story more?"
- Lampshaded: "Wow, Bob! You almost looked hopeful for something!"
- Invoked: Alice goes out of her way to point out the good things in the world, hoping to make Bob more idealistic.
- Exploited: ???
- Defied: "What? Did you think showing me charity and altruism is enough to make me think the world's a better place?"
- Discussed: "Bob used to be so dour and depressed, but now he's just as chipper as Alice is. Do you think she rubbed off on him?"
- Conversed: "The story got so much better once Bob stopped acting like the world is terrible." "Didn't he start out as a cynical nihilist?"
- Deconstructed: Silly Rabbit, Idealism Is for Kids!
Back to Took a Level in Idealism
