“I’m under absolutely no obligation to make sense to you.”
Redemption arcs are one of the most powerful storytelling devices in literature. They allow characters to evolve, confront their flaws and find forgiveness for their past flaws and mistakes. Whether it’s a rogue anti-hero attempting to right a wrong, an antagonist seeking atonement or a flawed protagonist rediscovering their mortality, redemption arcs resonate with readers because they are reflections of the growth, change and second chances that we all experience in our lives. Which is why we here at What We Reading thought we would pay homage to some of our favourite character redemption arcs from across the literary world, lifting the lid on how authors expertly craft the journey from darkness to light. These characters remind us that, no matter how far one has fallen, being redeemed is always possible.
What Are Redemption Arcs?
A redemption arc is a character’s journey from failure or wrongdoing to personal growth. Usually, it involves a character with deeply flawed traits such as selfishness or cruelty who, over the span of a story, comes to recognise these faults and attempt to become better versions of themselves.
At its centre, a redemption arc is used by authors to reflect the theme of forgiveness and the possibility of second chances. Character redemption arcs demonstrate how even the most flawed individuals are capable of finding redemption if they are willing to confront their past and make amends.
Some redemption arcs focus on righting a specific wrong that has impacted the narrative, whereas others centre more on broader moral themes. Whether a character is redeemed among their peers in a story is less important than the character being redeemed to a reader.
1. Severus Snape – Harry Potter Series (J.K. Rowling)
The Character: Professor Snape is the cold, sarcastic and bitter Potions Master at Hogwarts who is initially depicted as an antagonist to Harry Potter.
The Flaws: Snape is profoundly embittered, holding a serious resentment towards Harry’s father and whose close affiliations with Lord Voldemort make first suspicious and later an outright villain.
The Redemption Journey: Snape’s love for Lily Potter, Harry’s mother, drives his secret allegiance to Dumbledore as a double agent, protecting Harry throughout the series and his eventual sacrifice in the final book.
Final Outcome: Snape’s redemption is only revealed in his dying moments when Harry learns the truth. Whilst mostly hidden, his sacrifices for the greater good are what redeem him to both Harry and the reader.
2. Ebenezer Scrooge – A Christmas Carol (Charles Dickens)
The Character: Ebenezer Scrooge is a wealthy, miserly businessman with no empathy for others, especially during the festive season.
The Flaws: Scrooge is shown to be uncaring, selfish and greedy. His disdain for charity makes him a bitter, lonely and cold-hearted individual, frozen out from his family and community.
The Redemption Journey: After being visited by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, who confront him about the consequences of his choices, he is forced to reflect on his life, past mistakes and his bleak potential future.
Final Outcome: In one of the most famous character redemption arcs, Scrooge is transformed by these visions, embracing the spirit of Christmas with a new sense of generosity and compassion, especially toward those in need such as Tiny Tim.
3. Jean Valjean – Les Misérables (Victor Hugo)
The Character: Valjean is a former convict, imprisoned for stealing bread, who struggles with reintegrating into society following his release.
The Flaws: Soured by his years behind bars, Valjean is angry, distrustful and resentful of a world that views him as a criminal. He is tempted to return to a life of crime.
The Redemption Journey: After being shown unexpected kindness by the Bishop of Digne, Valjean chooses to change his ways, devoting his life to helping others including Fantine and her daughter, Cosette.
Final Outcome: By the end of the novel, Valjean’s acts of kindness and sacrifices redeem him in the eyes of society and the reader.
4. Jaime Lannister – A Song Of Ice And Fire Series (George R.R. Martin)
The Character: Introduced as a skilled knight, but one that betrayed his king by stabbing him in the back, Jaime Lannister is privileged, arrogant and amoral.
The Flaws: As well as showing no remorse for killing the king or for having a relationship with his sister, Jaime is reckless and dismissive of the opinions of others.
The Redemption Journey: When he loses one of his hands, Jaime is forced to reflect on his identity and weaknesses. His relationship with Brienne of Tarth plays a central role in his redemption as he reckons with his past decisions and starts making honourable decisions.
Final Outcome: As Jaime’s evolving sense of honour and loyalty grows, he distances himself from Cersei and opts to fight for what he believes in.
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5. Mr. Darcy – Pride And Prejudice (Jane Austen)
The Character: Mr Darcy is a wealthy, reserved gentleman who is initially presented as being prideful and disdainful, especially toward Elizabeth Bennett and her family.
The Flaws: Darcy’s aloof nature and apparent sense of superiority lead to him interfering in other people’s lives, such as separating Elizabeth’s sister from her romantic interest.
The Redemption Journey: After Elizabeth rejects his proposal, Darcy is forced to realise the impact of his actions and works to improve himself.
Final Outcome: By embracing humility and working to fix his mistakes, Darcy’s transformation allows him and Elizabeth to overcome their misunderstandings and marry, making this redemption arc both a moral and romantic success.
6. Sand dan Glokta – The First Law Series (Joe Abercrombie)
The Character: Glokta is a crippled war hero turned torturer for the Inquisition. He is shown to have a resentful and cynical outlook on life.
The Flaws: Glokta is ruthless, morally compromised by his work as a torturer and fuelled by a burning resentment of his past and physical limitations.
The Redemption Journey: Throughout Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law series, Glokta becomes more self-aware. He starts to question his role within the system and his covert acts of kindness are shown.
Final Outcome: Whilst his redemption arc doesn’t quite come full circle, Glokta’s actions in protecting individuals and rejecting blind cruelty suggest a moral transformation is possible.
7. Louisa Clark – Me Before You (Jojo Moyes)
The Character: Louisa is a spirited young woman hired to care for Will, a quadriplegic man. She is shown to be happy with her small-town life and avoids reckoning with her potential.
The Flaws: Louisa’s reluctance to pursue her dreams is the primary blockage to her growth. She struggles with taking risks and engaging with life fully.
The Redemption Journey: Through her relationship with Will, Louisa learns to broaden her horizons, confront her fears and realise her potential.
Final Outcome: Louisa’s redemption is found through her self-empowerment, as she sets out to seek a life beyond the limits she’d set for herself before meeting Will.
8. Samantha Kofe – Gray Mountain (John Grisham)
The Character: Samantha is a high-functioning and successful lawyer who loses her job and ends up working in a small Appalachian town.
The Flaws: The biggest flaw in Samantha’s character is her disconnect from real-world issues. She is used to a life of privilege, power and wealth and is therefore shown to be out of touch with social causes.
The Redemption Journey: Working in rural America exposes Samantha to the issues faced by local communities, particularly when it comes to battling big corporations.
Final Outcome: Another one of the best moral redemption arcs, Samantha becomes passionate about fighting for justice and protecting the vulnerable. She transforms from a self-serving corporate lawyer to a dedicated advocate for the oppressed, finding true meaning and purpose in her work.
9. Evelyn Hugo – The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo (Taylor Jenkins Reid)
The Character: Evelyn Hugo is a glamorous, manipulative and mysterious Hollywood icon who has lived a life filled with scandals and secrets.
The Flaws: Evelyn is shown to be willing to do anything to achieve fame and fortune, including using people and concealing her true self.
The Redemption Journey: By recounting her life story to a young journalist, Evelyn ponders on her choices and reveals the pain behind her persona. Through her honest recounting of her greatest regrets and lost loves, she embarks on a redemptive journey.
Final Outcome: By the end of the novel, Evelyn’s redemption comes from her transparency and life lessons. She shows that behind her front is a woman seeking forgiveness and authenticity.
10. Rick Deckard – Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? (Philip K. Dick)
The Character: Rick Deckard is a bounty hunter tasked with ‘retiring’ rogue androids.
The Flaws: Initially, Rick only views these androids as machines, absent of any thoughts or feelings. His lack of empathy makes it easier for him to do his job but separates him from a reader.
The Redemption Journey: Deckard’s interactions with several androids, especially Rachel, challenge his understanding of humanity and morality. He starts to question whether his actions can be justified and whether androids are entitled to the same level of compassion as humans.
Final Outcome: By the end of the story, Deckard undergoes a full internal transformation. He no longer views his work in the same light, and his moral struggles and newfound self-awareness blur the lines between human and machine.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
