Pessimists Turned Optimists

A recurring theme in many a story, Pessimists turned Optimists are heroes and heroines who start out looking at the world and other things in a negative way, usually because of past experiences, and, through a process, learn to and finally see it in a positive manner.

Being a Pessimist turned Optimist usually involves these circumstances:

• The hero/heroine loses someone he/she loves at the start of the story or has trust issues, but then learns to rise above his pain and let other people into his/her heart (Carl Fredricksen from Up, Eddie Valiant from Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Dracula from Hotel Transylvania, King Triton from The Little Mermaid)
• The hero/heroine starts out as someone without love in his heart or as a sour miser, but then learns that compassion can thaw a cold heart (The Beast from Beauty and the Beast, The Grinch, Emperor Kuzco from The Emperor's New Groove)
• The hero/heroine's life is turned upside down by a series of overwhelming circumstances, especially when being thrust into an unfamiliar and/or tumultuous environment, but takes the time to cope with it (Phil Connors from Groundhog Day, Lightning McQueen from Cars. Riley Andersen from Inside Out, Ofelia from Pan's Labyrinth, Chihiro Ogino from Spirited Away, Vegeta from Dragon Ball, Ben Tennyson from Ben 10)
• The hero/heroine is an outcast, usually ridiculed, persecuted, and shunned by other people, but forming relationships with others allows for him/her to develop (Jamal Malik from Slumdog Millionaire, Harry Potter, Spider-Man, Sunset Shimmer from My Little Pony: Equestria Girls, Ali from Ejen Ali)