My Favorite Characters

One thing I love about movies and books and TV is the ability that characters have to become a good friend you can come back to over and over again. It always fascinates me how we can resonate and empathize with these completely fictional people to the point that they can even impact the way we make decisions. That's one of the things I most love about storytelling.

So with that in mind I wanted to share some of my favorite characters with you. These are some characters- from books to TV- that I've always felt close to in a way, and that have always inspired me.

1. Peyton Sawyer (One Tree HIll)

Peyton Sawyer was the artistic and often rebellious cheerleader of OTH, one of my favorite shows when it was still on the air. I loved Peyton because she was passionate about everything she loved- her art, her friends, her love of music. She defied stereotypes by being more than just "the typical peppy cheerleader" and yet she loved her popular, boy-crazy best friend Brooke more than anything. One Tree HIll is a show that I think had really great character development (at least for the first five seasons, since I stopped watching once Peyton left), and I think Peyton's in particular was amazing.

2. Pocahontas

Yes, from the Disney movie. I think I love Pocahontas more now than I did when I first watched the movie as a kid. I know she's not a very good representation of the real Pocahontas, but for a Disney princess, she's incredibly unique. Part of the reason I loved watching Pocahontas was because of her love of nature, which I of course relate to. But it's also her spontaneity, independence, and courage to do the right thing even when no one else agreed that really made me fall in love with her. Anytime I watch this movie I feel inspired to be a little more like her.

3. Jane Eyre

I have talked about my admiration for Jane Eyre before but once isn't really enough. Not only was Jane a revolutionary female character for her time, but I think she embodies an amazing role model even for today's generation. I love that even though Jane was poor and plain and quiet, she was not afraid to stand up for doing the right thing, no matter what it might cost her. She knew that shallow things like posessions and appearances didn't matter as much as the people around her pretended they did. She was brave and bold in her own way because she was secure in who she was.

4. Wanda/Wanderer from The Host

In my opinion, The Host is the less popular but much better written novel by Stephenie Meyer, and its main character is one of my favorites. Wanda is a "soul," part of the species that invaded earth and took over human minds and bodies (it sounds weirder than it is!), yet she joins a group of humans and faces isolation, distrust, and one of the strangest love triangles I've ever read about. She reminds me quite a bit of Jane Eyre in that she is above all selfless and kind, but also very clever about how to protect those she loves. Even if you didn't like Twilight, you should definitely give the Host a try (I mean the book, the movie doesn't really do it justice). It's a wonderful story, and definitely very different from anything I'd ever read before.

5. Peeta Mellark

Katniss Everdeen is one of my favorite literary characters because she is so well written. She is an unlikely, imperfect hero, and I love the honesty in her character. But my most favorite character of the Hunger Games series is Peeta because of his kindness and quiet courage (are you sensing a theme with my favorite characters...?). Peeta was rebellious to the Capitol along with Katniss, yet always found ways to be kind to others along the way. I also loved how he cared about Katniss- he was able to see past her imperfections and love her for who she truly was, even to the point of overcoming the Capitol's brainwashing against her.

6. Cathy Linton

Cathy was the daughter of the slightly crazy Catherine Earnshaw. Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite novels, but I have very little sympathy for its lead characters Catherine and Heathcliff who were a little too reckless. The story is beautiful though, and I love the redemption that was found at the end through Cathy and Hareton. Unlike her mother, Cathy was kind and compassionate (yes, she had her spoiled moments but in the end the good won out). Though it makes the book several hundred pages longer, I'm glad that Wuthering Heights didn't end after Catherine's death, but in a beautiful redemptive circle that brought closure to the original love story. (Is it obvious I'm an English nerd yet? ;)

7. Jane Bennett

I actually liked Jane more than I liked Lizzie (though of course the main Pride and Prejudice sister has her charm). I think I liked Jane better because I always related more to her. When I first read Jane Austen's novel, my response to Lizzie's thoughts were pretty much always the same as Jane's. Except of course I never trusted Caroline Bingley even a little, unlike Jane! Jane Bennett was kind and quiet, and even though that worked against her in the beginning, I loved that she was able to get her happy ending by being true to herself. I also relate a lot to her because she was the oldest like I am. :)

It may or may not be a coincidence that at least three of these characters are probably INFPs! I guess that would explain why I relate to them so much...

What are some of your favorite fictional characters?

#favorites #2015 #writing