Who is your favorite literary character, and why?

Answer 1

I have always loved Jo March in Little Women. I think she actually inspired me to become a writer. I love this line from the 1994 movie when Winona Ryder played Jo. I think it is so keeping with the spirit of Louisa May Alcott.

"I find it poor logic to say that women should vote because they are good. Men do not vote because they are good; they vote because they are male, and women should vote, not because we are angels and men are animals, but because we are human beings and citizens of this country."

Answer 2

Hello,

Harry Flashman, the notorius bully from Tom Brown's School Days who's character is put into the Flashman series by Geroge MacDonald Fraser. He is a cheat, liar, poltroon, lecherer and coward ie, an anti-hero who has many adventures and is involved in many great historical events during the time of the British Empire and Victorian age from 1837 to 1902. He lives to 1915.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flashman

The books are well written, researched and footnoted and one learns a hell of a lot about the British Empire, how the Victorian mind saw the world along with a great deal of fun and humor.


Cheers,

Michael Kelly

Answer 3

I'm going to have to agree with the professor on this one. Yossarian somehow manages to be one of the most heart-breaking and hilarious characters I have ever come across in literature. There is more honesty and depth in him in two paragraphs of Catch-22 can be gleaned from other characters in an entire book. It's almost a tie though, Franny Glass in Salingers Franny and Zooey is wonderful also. Most of his character is developed through dialogue and boy can he talk! Also Switters from Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates by Tom Robbins. Ah Switters - what can we say about him? You just have to read the book. I can't describe him. Okay I'm done now...

Answer 4

Rose Daniel the lead Character in Stephen King's novel Rose Madder.
In the present tense prologue, which takes place in 1985, Rose Daniels's husband, Norman, beats her while she is four months pregnant, causing her to suffer a miscarriage. Rose briefly considers leaving Norman but dismisses the idea: Norman is a policeman, and is excellent at finding people. Norman also has a violent temper and was recently accused of assaulting an African-American woman named Wendy Yarrow. The subsequent lawsuit and Internal Affairs investigation has made him even more volatile.
The story then jumps ahead to a morning nine years later, when Rose is making the bed. She notices a drop of blood on the sheet that had probably leaked from her nose the night before — Norman had punched her in the face for spilling some iced tea on him. Rose realizes that she has passively suffered through Norman's abuse for fourteen years and that if she continues to put up with this treatment, she might be killed. But then Rose wonders: what if Norman doesn't kill her? What will she be like after fourteen more years of Norman "talking to her right up close", as he puts it?

The story is one of courage and heroism and is full of mystical and magical events as Rose deals with an abusive relationship and triumphs in the end. Its my second favorite King novel but my favorite character.

Answer 5

Rudolf Rassendyll, from Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda.

He laid down his life for his ancestor's country and nobly put aside his own selfish inclinations in favor of duty. I've always aspired to those who've been able to stare temptation in the face and pass up the opportunity to indulge their fancies.

Reminds me of James Bond, except without the shameless womanizing and with a flavor of the 19th century thrown in.

Answer 6

Sirius Black from the Harry Potter Series. JK Rowling writes in a way that I feel I am connected to the characters. She makes some so horribly wicked that I want to hurt, and others caring and brave. But there is something about Sirius I just love. Yes, he's just a character, but nonetheless, he's pretty special to me. ☻

Answer 7

That's a toughy. I have read so many books. I supose it's a tie between Acorna and Annabel Lee.
Acorna, because she is so kind hearted and she can heel people, which is a wonderful power,
and Annabel Lee because she was loved so much that the man was willing to die for her and that is so special. I suppose I admire her for her relationship with her husband.

Answer 8

I'd have to say the persona in Dostoyevky's Notes from the Underground. I have never been more intrigued and captivated by what a person has to say, never been more entertained. Dostoyevksy, like Chekhov, really knows how to probe into a person's psyche.

Answer 9

"Morale was deteriorating and it was all Yossarian's fault. The country was in peril; he was jeopardizing his traditional rights of freedom and independence by daring to exercise them."

Capt (John) Yossarian, US Army Air Force, in Joseph Heller's Catch 22. The greatest American novel written since World War 2.

Answer 10

The first character who came to mind for me is Jay Gatsby.

He's mysterious, crazy rich, and yet his whole life as it is in the story is for one reason: to get back the woman he loved. I think I'm one drawn to the tragedies, and his life is definitely that.

RP