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