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: A piece of technology customized for a particular character's style or use.
- 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: Deliberately left evidence for a crime acting as a signature of the perpetrator.
- 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: A character relates to an inanimate object as a companion.
- Descent into Addiction: A character's story arc involves them becoming dependent on a substance.
- Family Portrait of Characterization: A family portrait reveals something about the characters' relationship or personalities.
- Fatal Family Photo: Showing a family photo to others = certain death.
- Friendship Trinket: An object given to a character by friend, retained to remind them of their friendship.
- 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": A character gives a nickname to their penis.
- I Call It "Vera": Characters naming their weapons, usually with feminine names.
- Iconic Outfit: A particular outfit is associated with a character.
- It Was a Gift: A special or important item was originally given to the character.
- Kitsch Collection: A large collection of objects well maintained by the collector.
- Lady Vessel: A character names a vehicle after a woman, one who is usually important to them.
- 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: An item with no inherent value or power is attributed as the source of a special ability.
- Memento MacGuffin: A sentimental keepsake is used as a plot device, but has no other role in the plot.
- 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: Plot-critical object of sentimental value to an orphan.
- 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: A character values a particular photograph of something important or sentimental.
- Security Blanket: An item used as a source of comfort.
- Sentimental Photo Album: A character owns a photo album of friends/family, often for sentimental purposes.
- Sentimental Shabbiness: A treasured item shows signs of its age and wear.
- Signature Device: A group of otherwise differing characters are united by the possession of a single identical item.
- Signature Headgear: A hat or other piece of headgear is strongly associated with a particular character, as a marker of identity.
- Signature Instrument: A character plays a particular musical instrument.
- Single Substance Manipulation: A character can only manipulate a specific, trademark material.
- Snow Globe of Innocence: A snow globe is used to represent an idealized, lost, or safer time.
- Symbolically Broken Object: A physical object representing some sort of concept or relationship is broken to symbolize the concept or relationship no longer existing.
- Toy-Based Characterization: A person's favorite toy, or the way they play with their toys, says something about their personality.
- Trademark Favorite Food: A particular dish known to be a character's favorite. The character is often seen eating, pursuing, or longing for this food.
- Tragic Keepsake: A physical item associated with a painful event or memory.
- Vanity License Plate: A character puts a unique license plate on their vehicle to make it look cooler.
- Vehicle-Based Characterization: A character's vehicle represents their personality.
- Weapon-Based Characterization: A character's weapon of choice represents their personality.
- Weapons of Their Trade: A character's choice of Improvised Weapon is a reflection of their job.