Booking Through Thursday asked this question last week: Are there any fictional characters you have emulated (or tried to)? Who and why?
When I think of my favorite fictional characters, two immediately come to mind.
One is Elinor Dashwood, from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Her character really appeals to me because in some ways she is the exact opposite of me. I so admire aspects of her character. In some ways she is also quite like me. Best quote ever:
Elinor, to Marianne:
What do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering. For weeks, Marianne, I’ve had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced on me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hope. I have endured her exultations again and again whilst knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence I could have provided proof enough of a broken heart, even for you.
(Taken from the 1995 movie adaptation. I have read the book, but it’s been almost six years. If I recall correctly, this quote is straight from the book. Anyone who has read it recently, feel free to correct me. 🙂 )
Elinor was so mindful of others that she was willing to keep her own pain to herself in order to serve others.
The second character I think of is Amy Dorrit, from Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit is by far my favorite Dickens novel ever and Amy is an incredible person. She truly embodies a gracious servant. She has a lovely spirit and is totally selfless. I must say that the 2008 TV version disappointed me. They did not do justice to her amazing character!
A quote from the book that helps explain why I like her so much…
She had gained a reputation for beauty, and (which is often another thing) was beautiful.
Amy was beautiful because even though her life revolved around debtor’s prison, she was the one person who worked hard for her family. Giving up her own desires, she was the family provider and mentor. Her love for her family motivated her to always be there to pick up everyone else’s pieces.
If only Elinor and Amy were real people. 🙂 🙂
Which fictional character is your favorite? Let me know in a comment!
-Bonnie
Life with You 
Anne in Anne of green gable and Lizzy in Pride and prejudice. I like girl’s character with a strong will and intelligence I guess. 🙂 Our Peter would have been named Elinor if he were a girl. I just adore that name and I like that character in Sense and sensibility as well.
There are several characters I love, it’s hard to not spill out an entire list! I love Pollyanna, for her determination to be grateful and content in her situation even though it wasn’t always what she wanted. I love (really randomly!) the character Filby from the Time Machine- he’s the main guy’s good friend, and he is just always so sweet, only wanting the best for his friend, the time traveler. And I would certainly be missing something if I didn’t mention a character or two from Narnia 🙂 I love Puddleglum, especially when he clings to the truth of the real world when the evil Lady is trying to persuade everyone that it doesn’t exist. His strength of character is so wonderful.