AtanariaNothing stings quite like ingratitude. It’s the thankless fuel that powers Shakespearean tragedies, Dickensian dramas, and Austenian sass. Literature loves a good ungrateful soul—it’s the conflict that keeps the plot moving and our blood boiling. If you’ve ever wanted to throw a book across the room because a character just refused to appreciate their blessings, you’re not alone.
Here are five (plus a bonus!) classic books where ingratitude takes center stage. Brace yourself for some of the most maddening “ugh, seriously?!” moments in literary history:
1. King Lear by William Shakespeare
Tagline: Never trust your kids with the estate plan.
No one does family drama like Shakespeare, and King Lear is the ultimate masterclass in parental heartbreak. The aging Lear decides to split his kingdom among his three daughters based on how much they “love” him (an HR nightmare). His two eldest, Goneril and Regan, butter him up with flattery, only to betray him faster than you can say, “O Fool, I shall go mad!” Meanwhile, the daughter who genuinely loves him—Cordelia—is disinherited for refusing to play the flattery game. Lear learns too late that sincerity beats sycophancy. Moral of the story? Ingratitude isn’t just rude—it’s fatal.
2. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Tagline: “Thanks, Dad! Wait, no, thanks for nothing, Dad.”
Victor Frankenstein plays God and cobbles together life from a macabre stew of body parts, only to abandon his creation because…he’s ugly. No nurturing, no guidance—just straight-up ghosting. The Creature, understandably upset, embarks on a vengeance spree. Sure, Frankenstein had reason to be horrified (who wouldn’t freak out if their DIY project stared back?), but his utter lack of accountability is what drives the plot. Frankenstein’s ingratitude for the gift of scientific success is only matched by his ungratefulness toward the very life he created. Parenting 101: Don’t leave your child to freeze in the Arctic.
3. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
Tagline: You can take the boy out of the marshes, but…
Pip is the poster child for ingratitude. Raised by his rough-but-loving sister and her sweet husband Joe, Pip is plucked from his humble roots by a mysterious benefactor to become a “gentleman.” What does Pip do with his newfound privilege? He ditches Joe, looks down on his former life, and obsesses over the cold-hearted Estella. Only after losing everything does Pip realize the true value of loyalty and humility. Dickens essentially hands us a two-word life lesson: Appreciate Joe.
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Tagline: Love and gratitude are not the same thing, Heathcliff.
Heathcliff is the human equivalent of a grudge in Wuthering Heights. Rescued from poverty as a child and brought into the Earnshaw family, Heathcliff is given the chance to rise above his station. Does he channel this goodwill into self-improvement? Nope. Instead, he spends his entire life scheming to ruin the Earnshaws and their neighbors. Sure, he’s got reasons to be angry—Catherine’s betrayal and Hindley’s cruelty among them—but the sheer scale of Heathcliff’s vengeance is a masterclass in bitter ingratitude. Thanks for the roof over my head, Mr. Earnshaw; I’ll repay you by haunting your family for generations.
5. Emma by Jane Austen
Tagline: Gratitude is so last season.
Emma Woodhouse isn’t maliciously ungrateful—she’s just hilariously oblivious. Wealthy, charming, and used to having her own way, Emma fancies herself a master matchmaker but repeatedly underappreciates the people around her. She meddles in Harriet’s life, disregards Mr. Knightley’s sage advice, and generally acts like the world revolves around her whims. Only after her matchmaking schemes blow up spectacularly does Emma start to learn the value of genuine connection and humility. Austen wraps it all in wit and charm, making Emma’s ingratitude less infuriating and more endearing.
Bonus: Il Disprezzo (Contempt) by Alberto Moravia
Tagline: Shear Happiness? Meh.
Few books dissect ingratitude with as much raw honesty as Alberto Moravia’s Il Disprezzo. Riccardo, a struggling screenwriter, can’t seem to catch a break—or appreciate the love of his wife, Emilia. When his career finally gets a boost through a favor from a producer, Riccardo manages to misinterpret Emilia’s growing disillusionment as her rejection of him. Cue a spiraling tragedy of hurt egos, passive-aggressive dialogue, and epic misunderstandings. What makes Il Disprezzo so haunting is its quiet realism: Riccardo’s inability to value what he has until it’s gone mirrors the way ingratitude can slowly poison relationships.
Final Thoughts: Gratitude Is Free—Use It!
These classic books are proof that ingratitude makes for riveting storytelling. But they’re also cautionary tales. Whether it’s Lear’s disastrous estate planning, Victor’s ghosting, Pip’s snobbery, or Riccardo’s marital collapse, these characters remind us of a universal truth: Gratitude is the glue that holds relationships together. Without it, life spirals into chaos—and maybe even a Gothic revenge plot.
So, the next time someone does something nice for you, take a lesson from these literary disasters and say “thank you.” Who knows? It might just save you from Shakespearean-level tragedy or a Moravian existential meltdown.
What do you think—did I miss a classic example of literary ingratitude? Share your favorites, or just rant about Heathcliff in the comments below.
