I once came across a book lover's post on social media about how unexpected it was for them to grieve so much over the deaths of fictional characters; to which someone had replied that it felt even more painful to hear those characters called 'fictional'. I found this oddly comforting - to know that there are fellow creatures who get as invested in the characters formed by the pages of a book, as I do.
Literary characters do exist in the collective consciousness of bibliophiles around the world. We know and remember them from each of the different worlds in which we have sojourned through books, just as much as any of the real people we have met at different stages of our lives. It is as Dumbledore says - "Of course it's happening inside your head ... Why should that mean it's not real?"
Only in this case, it is not merely a single person's head, it is a collection of ideas and memories that we share with the author as well as thousands of other readers - people who have found safe havens within the pages, people in need of social knowledge that experience could prove too slow to provide. Book characters have a way of fast tracking our ability to wade through the labyrinthine patterns of human nature.
Which is why, if this were a list of characters I would wish to meet, it would be never-ending. From Sherlock Holmes to Hercule Poirot, Gwendolen Harleth (Daniel Deronda) to Bathsheba Everdene (Far from the Madding Crowd), Konstantin Levin (Anna Karenina) to Mary Datchet (Night and Day), Edmond Dantès (The Count of Monte Cristo) to Philip "Pip" Pirrip (Great Expectations), from Jo March (Little Women) to Jane Eyre - I would want to meet them all.
This, instead, is a list of characters I wish to befriend, those who make me feel that it is such a great pity they aren't real and within my reach, to make it possible to enjoy worthy attachments with delightful people whose dispositions would complement mine, who would be utterly honest and absolutely trustworthy.
Elizabeth Bennet - Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen
A wonderfully complex character - an obvious choice for a friend. The energy of her vivacious and playful personality would be a delight to have around. Having the companionship of a person with such quick wit would enable us to laugh at absurdities or joke our way through difficulties together.
She's honest in realising when she is at fault and accepting it without useless attempts at self-justification. She's intelligent in learning from mistakes or unfortunate situations and she moves on without moping about them for long. These are admirable qualities to learn from a friend.
Most favourite onscreen portrayal : Jennifer Ehle, 1995
Margaret Schlegel - Howards End, E. M. Forster
The first thing that struck me while reading the book is how highly endearing the character of this intelligent, cultured and emotionally honest woman is. She feels deeply, loves freely and is sure to be extremely supportive of a friend, even when she disagrees with their opinion, or even when they are in the wrong.
As a person governed by both head and heart in equal measure, I believe it would be splendid to have a friend like her, to help balance the Anne Shirley and the Elinor Dashwood parts of my mind. Not only would she discuss literature, philosophy and art, but also help in reconciling the romantic with the pragmatic, the dreamy artistic and aesthetic with the harsh "grit" and "the outer life of telegrams and anger”, as she called it in the book.
Most favourite onscreen portrayal : Emma Thompson, 1992
Miss Betsey Trotwood - David Copperfield, Charles Dickens
This lady has gumption. I do not believe there is a classic book lover alive who is not a fan of Miss Betsey Trotwood. (And I bet none of us can now separate the face of the marvellous Maggie Smith from her either.) In late 18th century England, she managed to assert her independence by separating from her horrid husband and leading life on her own terms with such boldness and tenacity that made all the other characters pale in comparison.
Her inflexible exterior conceals a wonderfully complex mixture of eccentricity, generosity, honesty and wisdom. But above all, my favourite trait of hers is this : she is most stubbornly and unapologetically quirky. And, by giving poor young Copperfield's horrendous stepfather a thorough dressing-down, she delivered one of the most satisfying dialogues from Dickens' novels.
When Copperfield was disappointed with his childish first wife, Miss Trotwood (without being completely indifferent or excessively interfering) simply asked him "to estimate her ... by the qualities she has, and not by the qualities she may not have." A person who can advise so prudently would be an invaluable presence in one's life.
Most favourite onscreen portrayal : Maggie Smith, 1999
Bertram Wooster, Jeeves stories, P. G. Wodehouse
Bertie may not be an intellectual but, as Jeeves put it, has a heart of gold. To know him is to have a loyal friend who wouldn't think twice before jumping to one's aid and offering as much support as he can, whenever it is called for. He's a genuine gentleman who treats people with incredible decency.
When life gets too serious or dull, it would take only a "What ho!" to spend some time in the company of this lovable pal, be reminded to take pleasure in the little things of everyday life, share a few laughs and take leave with a "Toodle pip!" - to return home feeling a good sight more upbeat and once again "in mid season form."
Most favourite onscreen portrayal : Hugh Laurie, 1990
Molly Gibson, Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell
The most distinguishing trait of Molly's character, in my opinion, is constancy. She is dependable and steady as a rock. Quiet, emotionally intelligent, sensitive and fiercely loyal, she is a thoroughly good listener and has strong moral principles and integrity - the exact personification of all the qualities I would imagine in my ideal friend and confidante.
Although, unfortunately, society has its own illiberally rigid definitions of 'fun' which would never allow the good to be as popular as the glamorous, Molly has thankfully been 'saved' by Mrs. Gaskell from becoming as unpopular as poor Fanny Price (from Austen's Mansfield Park, another of my favourite books); as she is more assertive and confident in her own skin. She does not shy away from speaking her mind with simple honesty in front of anybody.
Most favourite onscreen portrayal : Justine Waddell, 1999
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