A.E. Albert: A Writer's Blog

My Favorite Literary Heroes

My Favorite

Literary Heroes

by A.E. Albert

Jean Valjean
Les Miserables: by Victor Hugo

Jean Valjean was a peasant driven to steal in order to feed his family.  After being imprisoned for 20 years, he escapes.  Jean encounters a man of the cloth who shows the convict mercy.  This act prompts Jean Valjean to become a changed man.  He more then makes amends.  He changes the lives of everyone around him.

Jean Valjean's character grabs you almost immediately.  You know there is something special about him.  Jean proceeds to change his life and in the process gains wealth and status.  Yet he gives it all up to help the child of a woman he inadvertently wronged.  He is man driven to what is right, no matter what.


Dumbledore
The Harry Potter Series: by J.K. Rowling

An orphan boy grows up not knowing he's a wizard- ok,ok, you know what I'm going to say.  I'm not going to waste anyone's time regurgitating the Harry Potter synopsis.  We've all read it.  If you haven't read it, you need to.



Anyway.

I know what you're thinking, Harry Potter is the hero of the series.  I beg to differ.  Don't get me wrong, I love Harry!  But let's get real here. Dumbledore is the hero behind the scenes.  The sacrifices he made unbeknownst to anyone.  All powerful, but humble.  And well...I just love him. Come on!  Who doesn't love Dumbledore!

Aragorn
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: by JRR Tolkien

Yes, I know, Aragorn bears the strength and stature of your run of the mill hero. However, that is not why he is on my list.  It is when you discover who he really is and why he refuses to take the throne of Gondor, you see who he really is.  It is the man behind the sword that is the hero.

He does what is right because it is the right thing to do.  He's sees his weaknesses and recognizes his fears, yet he is courageous despite them.


Samwise Gamgee
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: by JRR Tolkien

Ok, I know I put Aragorn on the list already and I think I need to acknowledge what I know many of you are thinking.  There are no individual heroes in the LOTR series and here I am nominating two.  I get it, I really do.  But...to bad.  Sam is definitely on my hero list.

Come on, everyone loves the unassuming and the underdog.  Mind you, it isn't long before we discover that Sam is anything but.  I think it is the vulnerability I love my heroes.  When I can see myself in their flaws and I know their fears.


Willy Wonka
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: by Roald Dahl

No, I'm not talking about the movie starring Johnny Depp.  I'm referring to the Roald Dahl children's novel. Personally, I consider Roald Dahl to be the Quentin Tarantino of Children's literature.  If any of you have read a few of his books, you know what I mean.

I found that the movie portrayed Willy as a buffoon.  Nothing could be further from the truth. Anyone who has read the book knows that Willy is a certified chocolate genius.  Ok, maybe the word 'certified' could be used in another context.  Willy is just on another level.  He redefines being true to yourself.

I know it may appear that he is talking nonsense, but that is only because there is no one like him. Fair enough, he isn't always nice and he lacks serious social skills.  But a hero saves people in some form. Ok, Charlie saved him from a life of solitude, but Willy definitely saved him back.

One of my favorite quotes of all time was uttered by Willy Wonka.  I've read the book twice, but I can't remember if it's from the 1970's movie with Gene Wilder or the book.  Whatever.  It's a great quote.

"We are the music makers, we are the dreamer of dreams."- Willy Wonka

Paul Atreides (Muad'dib)

Dune: by Frank Herbert

I don't know how many of your have read Dune.  It is one of my absolute favorite sci-fi novels of all time.  I could go on about the fantastic writing, original mythologies and almost real science, but I won't.  I want to focus on my next hero, Paul Muad'dib. 

Yes, he is all powerful- a superbeing in fact.  Well, of course he is, he's the messiah prophesied to save the planet Arrakis (Dune) after all.  However, with Paul. it's all about character.  

One of Paul's greatest qualities is his humility. As I said, in the Dune universe, he is almost a god. But what truly motivates his revolutionary actions is his belief in the freedom and individuality of all people.  

He understands that a necessary quality of a true leader is one who creates leaders in others. Paul also knew that he would need the help, skill and knowledge of others is his endeavour would be fruitful.  No man can do it alone.  

Even a superbeing.

Tyrion

Game of Thrones: George R.R. Martin

We live in the age of the anti-hero.  Many give it a negative stigma.  I think an anti-hero is just someone who does not want the responsibility of others on their shoulders.  Yet, when it matters, they accept the burden of duty and righteous action.  Let's face it, most of us is the anti-hero and not a hero.

Tyrion is such a man.  He is not accepted by most of his family and the world laughs at him.  In the beginning, it is even hard for the reader to take him seriously because he reflects the scorn and ridicule of the world and is constantly projecting it back. Suddenly, responsibility is thrust upon him.  It seems he is as surprised as the reader to discover he is a natural leader.  

But what impresses me most of all, is the compassion that reveals itself for the barest of moments.  It is during these times one can see the empathy he possesses for others.  I hope to see great things from Tyrion is the story to come.  Even if he doesn't.

Mr. Darcy

Pride & Prejudice: by Jane Austen


Set in the Victorian world, Mr. Darcy was born to wealth and privilege.  Some might say that he is only the product of his environment.  Although it never says in the book, we can imagine the consequence of Mr. Darcy.  He was probably a Duke, a step beneath royalty.  He falls in love with Elizabeth Bennet and our story begins.

Darcy isn't the typical hero with a sword in his hand.  But he is a hero to people everywhere.  He is a testament that people can change. Ok, so maybe his motivation was the greatest motivation of all time, love.  But he did it, he made the effort and tried to bring about change.  As we all know, he succeeded.

Professor Snape
The Harry Potter Series (Spoiler)

I know what you're thinking.  I already have Dumbledore, how can I possible add Snape too. Well, Actually....I left Snape last for a reason.  He is truly one of the greatest heroes of all time.  What is the true definition of integrity?  It is do what is right when noone is looking.   

Through all those years he tolerated people's disdain and distrust, when all the while, everything he did was to help Harry. Yes, Snape had personal reasons for doing what he did.  But above all he was the real catalyst of Harry's success and no one knew it. 

Oh well, of course...Dumbledore did!