What character do you most admire from the books you have read and why

[rachel]

Hello,

I don't always admire or even understand the hero or heroine of whatever book I am reading. Sometimes it is a very minor player in the tale that grabs my attention and teaches me something I treasure ever after.
For instance a religious book I once read called In His Footsteps tells of a well to do preacher whose congregation was also well to do and expected a certain kind of oration each sunday, one that was stirring and thrilling and left you breathless but didn't actually ask anything of you.
And into the church standing in the aisle came a man they considered a tramp but in my mind was a very dignified gentleman who through no fault of his own was unable to secure work. He had left what was left of his family behind in another city and just wanted work so they could live together.
He had come to the pastor's home and was turned away.
So now he stood and politely without accusation or bitterness asked this snobby group what it really meant to be like Jesus because if giving to the needy and helping restore a man's dignity was not being like Him what was?
He collapsed and died without ever being reunited with his little one.
Oh sure this shook up a great many and they did change and went on to make an impact for good on society.
But the fact it took that to make them care made most of them of little consequence to me.
It was that man that made me decide to do even more and it greatly improved the street ministry I share with my family.
What are your thoughts?

[Satine]

By far, of all the books I've read, the character of "Elphaba" in Gregory Maguire's WICKED is the most interesting and fantastic heroine of all. What a pleasant surprise it was to read a story about a character we have ALL grown up with, the Wicked Witch of the West. We all have our pre-conceived notions about her, that she was just a nasty, evil, bitter old woman out to get the 'good' girl, Dorothy. Who knew how she was born, the circumstances behind her birth, her upbringing, the fact that she was a political activist and a true hero in her own right? She shows courage and strength beyond anything I'd ever given her credit for. My favorite heroine, for sure.

[subterranean]

Ussualy my favs are the ones who can arouse my sympathy (like Jude in Jude the Obscure or Rodya in Crime and Punishment) or people with characters which I think are very cool (Yossarian or Milo in Catch 22). I think this kind of things are strong relate to the values we have within ourselves.

[novellover]

I am not sure if its the only character I've admired but it sure is one of the latest additions to my list. Its the title character in Graham Greene's The Man Within. This character is on the run from the law and his own mates, whom he betrayed to the law. He's a man who "can't get rid of his conscience", as one of the book's minor characters puts it. And his misinterpretation of his conscientiousness for cowardice is heart wrenching, to say the least as is his affection for one of his mates, whom he betrayed and for whom, he ultimately gives himself up, and discovers the peace that had eluded him for so long.

[sam27]

I think I admire Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) the most from all the characters I have encountered recently.

Here is a man that is extremely shy but comes across as snobbish and aloof but doesn't allow this opinion of his character to alter his own intentions or actions. I must admit at first he did seem very arrogant and full of his own self-importance but once the book delved deeper and I discover what he has had to over come and feel I can but only be proud of his character.

To further highlight his excellent character we get to see further incidences that bring to light his many good traits, namely;
He is not swayed in his affections by the interference of outside influences, namely Elizabeth's family and his own aunt.
He manages to overcome his own feelings of distaste for Mr Wickham to ensure the happiness of Elizabeth and openly admits that she was his only concern when he plotted to aid in her family's problem.

I think in all the complete turnabout in everyone's feelings for this gentleman only go to show that the cover of a book is often deceiving and that first impressions are not always correct.

[Stanislaw]

Conan from the series of novels:
tis silly but, he has courage in adversity, strength when others would fail, and persistance, loyalty and honour. What most people should be like but are not, an uber-mensch (sp.)

[YellowCrayola]

For some reason, I identify with Boo Radley (To Kill a Mockingbird) the most. He wasn't even a main character, and his appearances were strange and limited. Yet something about him touched me, not his semi-cowardice (so I call it) but something else I still cannot figure out. No surprise. Characters I love always render me speechless. :D

[Pensive]

It is difficult for me to choose a favourite....
ok, I would say Maggie Tullivers from Mill on the floss. I think I like her character because she was funny some times and it is written beautifully.... it looked a very natural character, on some places she was very annoying but overall Geogre Eliot portrayed her character beautifully.

[rachel]

i think i know what you mean about Boo Radley, he was so mistreated even if not on purpose, hidden away like a thing without a heart or mind of his own. but he did have a heart and mind of his own and his innocence i guess i would call it had a sort of magic that touched those that were not afraid to breathe the air of someone different than themselves.

[Bongitybongbong]

Bartimeaus from The Bartimeaus Trilogy. He is a sarcastic, mean demon and he has many chaaracteristics that seem more real.

[A Hard Rain]

Admirations:

Atticus Finch (to kill a mocking bird)
Anne Frank (diary of anne frank)
Amory Blaine (this side of paradise)
Cash (as i lay dying)

Sympathy:
Santiago (old man and the sea)
Quentin the brother (the sound and the fury)
Darl (as i lay dying)

Empathy is another issue,
i feel the first person narative is the strongest medium
in evoking empathy, and as empathy is a process of feeling with
a character rather than for them, i wouldn't know what to put here... or something.

It is fun to acclaim my heros, at the same time, almost every character creates some impact on me, and however minute that it may be it is still every bit as important as those feelings i have for the characters that are more strongly represented. I have also had strong feelings of sympathy or empathy for many novels antagonists, of course.

[Miss_Eyre]

Jane (from Jane Eyre) for her courage to love, for
her strenght to hold on to her principles in times
of doubt, for her sense of self-respect, for her
ability to forgive... I´ve read the book 3 times so
far, and it still moves me to tears... there´s so
much to learn from her...


Miss Eyre.

[Virgil]

It is difficult for me to choose a favourite....
ok, I would say Maggie Tullivers from Mill on the floss. I think I like her character because she was funny some times and it is written beautifully.... it looked a very natural character, on some places she was very annoying but overall Geogre Eliot portrayed her character beautifully.

You know, I can picture you as Maggie Tulliver.

This is a great idea for a thread. How come more people don't add to it?

Let me think about me for a second. I'm sure there are lots of characters. For now let pick Aeneas from The Aeneid, a dutiful hero who sacrifices personal desires for others. You catch me on a day where I have been so dutifully dealing with the doctors and health problems of both my elderly parents.

[RobinHood3000]

I think I admire Mr Darcy (Pride and Prejudice) the most from all the characters I have encountered recently.
The first character I thought of when I saw the title of this thread. Couldn't have put it better, myself.

I also like Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind. A no-nonsense kind of guy with an intimate knowledge of the workings of human nature.

[Virgil]

The first character I thought of when I saw the title of this thread. Couldn't have put it better, myself.

I also like Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind. A no-nonsense kind of guy with an intimate knowledge of the workings of human nature.

Sorry Robin, I would never pick you out for Rhett Butler.

[RobinHood3000]

Really? Why is that? :confused:

[Virgil]

I don't picture you as a suave lady killer. I picture Rhett as an older man, mid thirties at the youngest, and I've guessed you to be 24.

[RobinHood3000]

Well, I'm not saying I AM him, just that I admire him. He's smooth, swift, quick-witted, and plain-faced.

[starrwriter]

A couple worth mentioning:

Sam Spade from "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashielle Hammett. He's tough, cool, lives by his own code and doesn't let the seediness of his environment rub off on him. He also juggles conflicts to stay in control of the situation.

The Ginger Man from the book of the same name by J. P. Donleavy. He has a warped sense of humor, never lets dire circumstances thwart his hedonistic adventures, and he sees respectability as a game of absurdities. Come to think of it, he's a lot like me.

[Kaltrina]

I mostly like Elisabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre... they both have beautiful characters... strong and witty....
and I also admire Mr. Darcy... I love his character for being proud and bold... :nod:

[Dark Lord]

i admire Mr Heathcliff from withering heights , even if he had alot of faults
but still i like the characters who enjoy some kind of misterious and sadness at the same time , i really pity them

[rachel]

What a shock to see my old thread revived. When I did it no one responded really. Thank you.
Stanislav your answer is exciting and I think I know you a little better. You too are a superhero waiting to be unleashed like M'Lord Robinhood3000. You are deep and thoughtful, this was worth waiting for!

[ballb]

Owen from the Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell is the character I most admire and also the character who most influenced the way in which I view society.

As for sympathy, it has be Tess Durbeyfield from Tess of the D`Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy.

An honourable mention in the admiration stakes goes to Shane, in the novel of that name by Jack Schaeffer.

[Pretty^Athens]

the character i admire the most is Joan from "pope Joan". the book -for those who don't know it- talks about a female pope who reached the vatican dressed up as a priest. i love her character beacause she remindes me of me at certain places =), and because she kept on working and studying till she achieved what she wanted. she was a revolutionary person which i loved the most about her!

[byquist]

Maggie Tulliver,"The Mill on the Floss" -- a genuinely good person as well as smart.

Ethan Frome is a really decent guy; deserved more in life.

Chekhov's Petya Trofimov in "Cherry Orchard" is a fine fellow.

Arnholm in Ibsen's "Lady From the Sea" likewise fine; a kind man.

All of the Three Sisters are great gals, don't receive what they deserve.

[bounty]

there is a similar thread I posted on recently, but since I find myself here, i'll join in on this one...

am presently reading gone with the wind so it was interesting to see someone mention Rhett butler. but my impetus for posting comes from melanie wilkes. I think earlier in conversation, danik said she was one of her early literary heroes. she is by far the most morally admirable character in the book and a great contrast to scarlett who is much more motivated by the practical matters of preservation.