RELATIONSHIP THESAURUS

GUARD AND PRISONER



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HELPFUL TIP:

Relationships are part of the very fabric of your character’s life. How well or poorly they get along with others oftentimes comes down to personality, so carefully consider the positive traits and negative traits of your story’s cast. Another factor that can pull characters together or create friction is motivation, so keep each individual’s goal—both at the scene and story level—in mind as you write.
DESCRIPTION:
When charged or convicted of a crime, a person is taken into custody and placed in a secure cell, either alone or with others. During their imprisonment, the guards enforce rules, transport prisoners from their cell to other secure areas, and accompany them to hearings, necessary appointments, and other court-appointed appearances. Generally, their job is to tell the prisoner what to do, where to go, and how to behave. The inherent power imbalance in this relationship makes it one fraught with conflict and tension, and the dynamics will depend largely on the personalities and personal ethics of the people involved. 

RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS:
Below are a wide range of dynamics that may accompany this relationship. Use the ideas that suit your story and work best for your characters to bring about and/or resolve the necessary conflict.

A guard seeking to protect and serve the prisoner
An indifferent or lazy guard who interacts as little as possible with the prisoner
An opportunistic guard taking bribes in exchange for passing messages, delivering contraband, or arranging for special privileges
A guard on a power trip who over-disciplines and micromanages the prisoner
A guard using their position of power for gain (taking bribes, demanding sexual favors, etc.)
A prejudiced or callous guard who believes the prisoner deserves whatever happens to them
A compliant prisoner going along with whatever they're told
A prisoner sucking up to the guard
A troublemaking prisoner always causing more work and trouble for the guard
A rebellious prisoner openly defying the guard

CHALLENGES THAT COULD THREATEN THE STATUS QUO:
A prisoner's meds being commandeered by another inmate, impacting their health
A prisoner having a legitimate problem the guard doesn't take seriously
The guard experiencing a significant personal challenge that makes them less patient and tolerant at work
A new prisoner entering the cell block who changes the dynamic
Administrative changes that result in new rules and regulations
Budget cuts that affect programs in the jail

WOUNDS THAT COULD FACTOR INTO THE RELATIONSHIP:
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POSSIBLE CONFLICT SCENARIOS:
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CONFLICTING DESIRES THAT CAN IMPAIR THE RELATIONSHIP:
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CLASHING PERSONALITY TRAIT COMBINATIONS:
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NEGATIVE OUTCOMES OF FRICTION:
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FICTIONAL SCENARIOS THAT COULD TURN THESE CHARACTERS INTO ALLIES:
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WAYS THIS RELATIONSHIP MAY LEAD TO POSITIVE GROWTH:
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THEMES AND SYMBOLS THAT CAN BE EXPLORED THROUGH THIS RELATIONSHIP:
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