What are the common psychological characteristics of good and evil characters in stories?

Suspense is key. It builds up gradually, like in 'The Silence of the Lambs'. There are often unexpected twists and turns. And the story usually delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes like madness, obsession, or paranoia. It makes the reader feel unease and keeps them guessing until the very end.

Good psychological novels often have complex characters. For example, in 'Madame Bovary', Emma Bovary is a multi - faceted character with conflicting desires. They also explore deep emotions. 'Wuthering Heights' shows intense love and hatred between the characters. Another characteristic is the exploration of the human mind's inner workings, like in 'Notes from Underground' where the narrator's self - loathing and his view of society are dissected.

One characteristic is the clear distinction between good and evil characters. For example, in fairy tales like 'Snow White', Snow White is pure good and the Evil Queen is pure evil.

Good psychological books fiction often has complex characters. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby', the characters like Gatsby himself are full of contradictions, which makes readers dig deep into their motives and inner worlds. Another characteristic is the exploration of deep emotions. In 'Wuthering Heights', the love and hatred between Heathcliff and Catherine are so intense that it reflects the complexity of human emotions. Also, they usually have thought - provoking themes, like in 'Brave New World' which makes us think about the impact of technology on human nature.

Good psychological thrillers often have unreliable narrators. For example, in 'The Girl on the Train', the narrator's memory and perception are so unreliable that it keeps the reader constantly guessing. Another characteristic is a sense of unease. In 'Gone Girl', the deteriorating relationship between the two main characters creates a very uneasy atmosphere. They also usually have complex characters with deep - seated issues, like in 'Sharp Objects' where the protagonist has her own set of traumas.

Good psychological fiction books often have complex characters. Their inner thoughts, motives, and emotions are deeply explored. For example, in 'The Great Gatsby', we see Gatsby's longing and the psychological turmoil behind his pursuit of Daisy. Another characteristic is the exploration of deep - seated themes like love, loss, guilt, and identity. These books also tend to play with the readers' perception, using unreliable narrators or ambiguous plotlines. In 'Lolita', Nabokov makes the reader question the nature of the relationship between Humbert and Lolita through his complex narrative style.

Good psychological thriller novels often have unreliable narrators. This makes the reader constantly question what they're being told. For example, in 'Gone Girl', the perspectives of both the husband and wife shift, and you're never quite sure who to believe. They also usually have a high level of suspense. The story builds tension gradually, like in 'The Girl on the Train' where the mystery unfolds bit by bit. And they often explore deep psychological themes such as identity, trauma, or paranoia.

One common theme is the triumph of good over evil. Like in many fairy tales, the hero or heroine defeats the villain in the end. Another theme is the power of redemption. Sometimes, the evil character has a chance to change and become good. For example, in 'Beauty and the Beast', the Beast, who was initially seen as evil, becomes a kind - hearted being through love.

One characteristic is complex characters. For example, in 'The Yellow Wallpaper', the woman's character is multi - faceted, with her growing insanity being shown in different ways. Another is the exploration of deep emotions. In 'A Rose for Emily', we see Emily's loneliness, pride, and how these emotions shape her actions. Also, they often have an element of mystery. 'The Tell - Tale Heart' has a sense of mystery about the narrator's true motives and mental state.

Good ones often have complex characters. For example, they might have a character with a hidden past or a mental disorder that drives the plot. In 'The Silence of the Lambs', Hannibal Lecter is a very complex and disturbing character.