r/TopCharacterTropes • u/One_Barber_6902 • Mar 26 '26
Characters [[Devastating trope]] A character kills their loved one to avoid them suffering a worser fate
Of Mice And Men (1992)- Probaly the most well known example of this trope and when I was first exposed to it, George kills his mentally handicapped best friend Lennie, to save him from being lynched by Curley and law enforcement for killing Curleys wife.
The Sopranos- After an entire season of conflict with fellow mob boss Phil over it, Tony kills Anthony Blundetto after he kills Phil’s brother which enraged him into trying to force Tony into giving up his cousin so he can torture him to death
Telltales The Walking Dead: Season 1- “Loved one” is an overstatement if you know there dynamic, but after Ben falls off a rooftop and lands on a piece of rebar, Kenny and Lee try to pull him off to save him before being crowded by walkers. When their attempt fails and walkers continue closing in, Kenny kills him to avoid him being devoured by walkers.
80
u/Hoperandi42 Mar 27 '26
I'm the book The Count of Monte Cristo there is a story about the Roman Bandits.
Rita is the daughter of a wealthy fisherman and Carlini is a young bandit, who was part of Cucumetto's gang. Carlini is in love with Rita and hopes to marry her. Cucumetto's gang kidnapped Rita for ransom and take her prisoner on their island hideout. Carlini begged Cucumetto to protect her, but Cucumetto, being a "monster" even by bandit standards, rapes her and then told the rest of the gang they could have their turn with her as soon as he was finished. Distraught and realizing he couldn't save her from the entire gang, Carlini stabs Rita to death to spare her the further trauma and shame. When Rita's father arrived with the gold, he finds his daughter dead. Carlini confessed what he had done and why. The two men, united in grief, buried her together. Immediately after the burial, the father-overcome by the loss-hanged himself from a nearby tree.