Recently on Twitter (because where else does anyone go these days), I was alerted to this 19th Century Character Trope Generator, which is . . . well, exactly what it says and no more. It is surprisingly diverting for such a simple tool.

If you are, yourself, writing a 19th century novel—or if you just want to figure out which of these characters you are, according to the algorithm of randomness (“Regrettably French Romantic with a Dark Secret”? “Brooding Lady who is Prone to Fainting”? “Eligible Suitor who is Secretly Wed”?)—well, you’re welcome.

Emily Temple

Emily Temple

Emily Temple is the managing editor at Lit Hub. Her first novel, The Lightness, was published by William Morrow/HarperCollins in June 2020. You can buy it here.