10.03.2013

10 gracious characters in literature

I'm certainly not confident enough to name these characters the most gracious in all literature, because 1) I haven't read everything, and 2) my retention rate is abysmal. So I present 10 characters in books who, in no particular order, are indeed gracious.

1. Molly Weasley, the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling

Molly is gracious enough to knit Harry a Weasley sweater every single Christmas. And knitting is hard.

2. Melanie Wilkes, Gone with the Wind, by Margaret Mitchell

Melanie is gracious almost to a fault. She's wonderful, and it takes Scarlett over a thousand pages to realize it.

3. Jane Bennett, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Always the softer of the Bennett sisters, Jane's graciousness allows her to forgive Mr. Bingley for being "the most unmitigated and comprehensive ass."

4. Matthew Cuthbert, Anne of Green Gables, by L. M. Montgomery

When Matthew gives Anne the dress with puffed sleeves? Waterworks every time.

5. Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

Jane is gracious enough to herself to leave Mr. Rochester and gracious enough to both of them to come back.

6. Samuel Hamilton, East of Eden, John Steinbeck

He's not as well known a literary character, but his graciousness fueled his friendships and learning. He's a fascinating character in a phenomenal book.

7. Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee

Atticus, Atticus. He's gracious to everyone from his own children to Tom Robinson to Boo Radley to Mrs. Dubose and maybe even to the rabid dog.

8. Celia Foote, The Help, by Kathryn Stockett

Celia couldn't care a whit about the color of your skin. Her graciousness is so ingrained in her she hardly knows she's wonderful for it.

9. The Fitzgeralds, Mandy, Julie Andrews Edwards

Another more obscure reference, the Fitzgeralds give orphan Mandy what she's always wanted: love.

10. Charlotte the Spider, Charlotte's Web, by E. B. White

Perhaps the kindest arachnid I've ever encountered.

Who are your favorite gracious characters?

*If you're interested in the movie adaptations, all of which are fantastic, click below. All links are Amazon Affiliate links.

This post is part of a 31-day series on gracious living. You can find the other posts here.

2 comments:

Ande said...

Oh I loved this list! You are so right on all of them. I love your characterization (ha!) of graciousness. I would add Hanz from The Book Theif.

Ande said...

We should watch Anne if Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea (but NOT the continuing story) together some day.

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