Pages

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Killer Characters: “Had you behaved in a more gentleman like manner…”


I know…I know, I’m not being super original, but I can’t help it—Elizabeth Bennet is my favorite Protagonist. A great protag is one you can root for, identify with, wish you were—and come on, who doesn’t want a little attention from Mr. Darcy?

What makes Elizabeth so amazing? Don’t worry…I’m going to tell you :)

  • Brave—It’s easy for us to make choices when we can get a job and live however we want. But Elizabeth can’t. She must be brave and trust that following her heart is the right choice.
  • HumbleShe may get love wrong at first but when she finally figures it out she isn't too proud to admit it. I will say that she doesn't start out like this.
  • Witty—I would hate to be in a battle of wits with Elizabeth. I would lose for sure. Don’t you just love smart funny women? There aren’t enough of them in literature. Let’s write some :)
  • Unwavering—Elizabeth may change her opinion about Darcy and Wickham, but she never compromises her morals.
  • Loyal—She stands by her family even though sometimes they are ridiculous. Didn’t you just cringe when Lydia made her sisters walk behind her?
  • Flawed—Perfect protags are boring! Elizabeth is far from perfect. She is judgmental, proud, sometimes oblivious, stubborn, and stuck up. The great thing about flaws it that they balance out a character. 

So what about it? Who are your favorite literary Protagonists? Want to see the other entries—click here.

-Angie

33 comments:

Julie Flanders said...

Great pick again. This blogfest is so fun, I love reading all the choices! :)

Jennifer Young said...

That would be mine for a woman. Love, love, love that book.

Anyway, for a man, sticking with a love story, I would have to go with Noah Calhoun from the Notebook. He's not afraid to show his love for Allie, he knows what he wants out of life and he's forgiving.

Thanks for sharing your fun blog post Angie!

Kelley York said...

I'm going to admit something I'm ashamed of... I've never read this book. But I need to. Because I see these two mentioned everywhere and I know I would love them.

Tasha Seegmiller said...

I love, love, love witty women. Especially when they are in periods where they maybe weren't supposed to be.

Great choice.

Emily R. King said...

I'm happy to see Elizabeth Bennet because she is one of my faves, too! Good choice and description.

Jaye Robin Brown said...

Of recent reads, I'd say Katsa of Graceling. She's B.A. and tough, but has the nicest touch of vulnerability. Love her.

PK HREZO said...

Oh yeah... she was definitely close to making my post today. She's so smart. :)

Alex Villasante said...

I was living in England when they showed the TV series (with Jennifer Elhe and Colin Firth.) It was such a phenom that it was on the cover of every magazine and newspaper for weeks. People couldn't stop talking about it. It was amazing to see such pop culture attention for a book published 150+ years ago. I fell in love with Lizzie first on the screen and that's the definitive film version for me (Darcy in a dripping wet shirt doesn't hurt) but it made me read Pride & Prejudice for the first time. And now I adore Lizzie. Great choice!

Abby Fowers said...

I wasn't super original in my choice either, but they are AWESOME characters. Elizabeth Bennett is probably one of the all time best protagonists ever! I adore her! LOVE this movie. LOVE IT!

Miranda Hardy said...

She's my favorite, too. I love her strength and stubbornness. Lol

Ruth Josse said...

You can never go wrong with P and P! Elizabeth is definitely one of my favorite characters. I tend to be drawn to those characters that are witty, independent and strong.

Meredith said...

Such a great analysis! I would never want to get in a battle of wits with her, either. :)

Jolene Perry said...

I canNOT believe hwo many people have not read this book!! Madness!!

Elizabeth is WAAY high for me as well. I also love Jane from Jane Eyre.

Stacy Henrie said...

Yes, Elizabeth Bennett is a great protagonist! Though I have to say I didn't like this movie version of Pride and Prejudice as much as I like the four hour one with Colin Firth - sigh. :)

Jennie Bennett said...

Oh that Darcy, so sexy :)

Jenny S. Morris said...

LOL. I am checking this book out soon. Everyone loves Elizabeth.

Brittany said...

Lizzie for sure. And seeing this picture made my heart go pitter-patter because I think that guy (Tom something or other) made such a sexy Darcy. (No offense, Colin. Still love you too). Kind of want to read P & P again now. It's been a year or two.

Melissa Sugar said...

Great choice and I like how you listed all of her qualities and strengths.

Cassie Mae said...

I'm a big fan of hers too. But my favorite (female) protag is Katniss from The Hunger Games. I can't get enough of a girl who can kick some serious butt!

Anonymous said...

I haven't read the book yet, but I know I should. I was really upset when my little brother was watching a certain PBS kids' show that gave away the endings of a lot of books I'd been looking forward to reading, and felt I couldn't possibly enjoy it now, since I already knew the ending.

Nicole Zoltack said...

Great pick! It's impossible not to love her!

Jessie Humphries said...

I think your choice is totally original. I wasnt thinking Regency when I was brainstorming killer characters. She is totally OG.

Hermana Tiffany Garner said...

This is great! I love Lizzie. She really is such a strong protagonist!

Tara Tyler said...

excellent choice!
love every movie version of that book, too!
nice job =)

Deana said...

One of my faves! Just seeing the picture, her and Mr. Darcy, I got all giddy:)

Alex Mullarky said...

Excellent choice! I love her!

Jenny said...

Well, I really need to get to reading those classics, don't I? Also, I'm floored by how early you posted this. I'm way to last minute.

Jen said...

Fantastic choice! Love, love, love Lizzy Bennet! Definitely the most relatable protagonist of the period.

Lyla said...

I LOVE Elizabeth. I grew up reading the books and watching the movie adaptations (all of them), and each time, Lizzy never fails to make me smile with her wit/confidence. Excellent choice. Darcy would be proud...I think. Haha.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorites, too - I mean, really, how can you top a character like Elizabeth Bennett?
Kim Karras

Anonymous said...

Great choice. I read Austen ages ago in college and vaguely remember Elizabeth. I want to either read the book again or watch the movie as a refresher.

Guilie Castillo said...

Ah yes, Elizabeth. Awesome pick--and I especially liked that you pointed out two things about her: the wit (really, not enough of those women, and you're right: let's go write some!) and the flaws. Every character must have them, but sometimes they're so obvious, so trumped-up, and so redeemable that they might as well not be there at all. With Elizabeth I agree--her flaws make her so very heart-wrenchingly human. Great job!

Melissa Ann Goodwin said...

Love her. Terrific choice.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...