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This Week's Question
Have you ever found yourself
acting like a favorite character
in a novel? If so, which one?
(Submitted by Maria @
My Answer
In my case, it's not so much acting like a favorite character, as it is coming across literary characters whom I have been able to relate to because I already shared some character traits with them, or already acted in ways that were similar to them (or wanted to do so).
I remember wanting to act like Tom Sawyer, when I was around 10 or 11 years old. Those were my "tomboy days", and oh, how I wanted to do all the stuff Tom did, and to have a friend like Huck Finn, to share adventures with! Alas, there was no way I could even hope to have such adventures....
Another of my childhood literary heroes was Jo, from Little Women. In fact, I even strongly felt that we were somehow related, or should have been, because I felt and thought the way she did, most of the time. I, too, wanted to be a writer, and act as decisively as she did. I, too, wanted to march off to war, and act as courageously as she did. (That was before I knew about the harsh realities of war. I am now a pacifist. Lol.) And, of course, I was into books, too.
Then there was "Scout" Finch, from To Kill A Mockingbird. I must have read that book around the age of 13. Needless to say, I greatly admired her! However, I seriously doubt that my parents would ever have tolerated me getting into any fights at school, even if it was to defend a sibling. Lol. She was definitely another kindred spirit, though.
Around the age of 18, I met Jane Eyre for the first time. I was not that much of a tomboy anymore, so I fell head over heels in love with Edward Rochester, and, of course, I wanted to BE Jane! I wanted to be as forthright as she was, as well as just as firmly determined not to give up my own self because of a man. However, I also wanted to experience a passionate, turbulent love relationship. I wanted to have a man fall for me as hard as Rochester fell for Jane. I wanted the best of both worlds -- being my own true self, as well as having that passionate relationship. And it would have to be a relationship of equals, too.
Several years later, there was Bella Swan, from The Twilight Saga. I'm pretty much of a klutz, as I don't have any talent for sports, just like Bella. (But I can walk without falling, most of the time, lol.)
I could relate to this character quite well, as I did tend to be insecure, even though I was well into adulthood when I came across her. I also still had a tendency to swoon over a guy I happened to have a crush on, just like a teen! I actually enjoyed reading Bella's descriptions of Edward's perfect physical attributes, and how he looked like a sculpted Greek god. And when I came across the famous meadow scene, in the first book, Twilight, well, I just about thought I had died and gone to heaven....sigh.... That line about the lion falling in love with the lamb, well..... it just did me in!
Ah, but I also admired the Bella who, transformed into a vampire, became a formidable force in her world! She nearly single-handedly dealt with the evil Volturi clan herself, and joined Edward and the other Cullens in a fierce battle of wills with these horrible vampires! She was also very protective of her daughter, Renesmee.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention another more recent literary heroine -- Hermione Granger. Sometimes I wish that the Harry Potter series had been the Hermione Granger series..... Hermione is someone to greatly admire. She's very smart, very bookish, and yet, she can think on her feet in a pinch. Plus, she's loyal to her friends, and doesn't flinch from any adventure, joining in with Harry and Ron as much as she can. I think that she's definitely a role model for young (and not so young) girls!
When I put on my Gryffindor robe and wave my illuminated HG wand around, I can almost BE Hermione. Watch out, Voldemort! You have to deal with ME if you want to get to Harry! Hah! (I can see myself saying this to a mean boss, pretending that the boss is Voldemort....hee, hee!) Wingardium leviosa!!
I think I can not only relate to all of these literary heroes/heroines, but also learn something from each. That's why they all resonate with me so much. It's their inner qualities I admire, and want to emulate. I think that they all also reflect different facets of my personality, although these facets are not as well-developed in me as they are in these characters.
It would be interesting to actually pretend to be one of these characters for one day. I have never done this, to be honest. I'm sure many of the people I deal with every day would get a huge surprise! Lol.
What are your thoughts on
this topic?
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I'll go comment on your
own BBH post.
If not, I will then comment on one
of your blog posts!
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