Monday, March 7, 2016

Top Ten Tuesday - Characters Everyone Loves But...I Don't Get?



Hey! Look what I made! :) I thought it was time to make my own little signage for Top Ten Tuesday. It's nothing fancy but I feel kind of official now. 

This week's topic is...Characters Everyone Loves But I Don't Get. Now, usually not every character written will be understood or adored by everyone. The list compiled here are popular characters universally accepted by the masses that I don't quite understand, connect with, or who just sort of completely annoy me. (Not necessarily in any specific order). 

1. Tris Prior from Divergent


It's not like I hate her nor does she completely annoy me. I admire her strength and her uncanny abilities to be awesome. It's just that - I just don't think she's that special. She's flawed and that's good to have in a character. And sometimes rare in the land of YA fiction. But, she never really inspired me. It's possible that Strong Dystopian Female Main Character's Fighting For Their Lives And Families - was ruined by Katniss Everdeen.

2. Emma from...Emma (Jane Austen)


She annoys me and is most likely my least favorite Austen Heroine. I appreciate how Austen created a unique, developed character with flaws. Every female character she wrote possessed their own virtues, flaws, and personality traits. And, of course, she had to write the story of a spoiled, privileged, beautiful young woman who played Queen Bee with her 'social circle'. I just don't admire the character. She is the reason I can't recommend Emma to anyone looking to be introduced to Austen or classical literature. Unless they've just boasted about their love for Mean Girls, Clueless (which, ironically - I adore...who figures?), and read the original format of Gossip Girls back in the day. 

3. Anna Karenina...from Anna Karenina


My disconnect with this character might be because I could never get around to finishing this novel. My sister LOVES this novel. I, however, don't go for the unfaithful wife story. Yes, she was a woman in a system that wasn't kind or giving to women. But, I found the whole premise so sad and I tried and failed to get behind Anna Karenina.

4. Aurora aka "Sleeping Beauty"


I loved Sleeping Beauty growing up. But, as an adult I find her to the most lacking of all the fairy tale princesses out there. Cinderella was good, The Little Mermaid..well...just tragic in the original non-Disney telling, and Belle - well, who doesn't love the Beauty? Aurora, however, just sort...meh. Not the most enticing fairy tale heroine out there. 

5. Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter Series


I only give him space on this list because...I need spaces filled...and for some reason he has a fanbase? I don't necessarily knock anyone's fandom. However. I don't get it. And I don't like Draco. I like how he ended with his family and hope that he found redemption and taught his children better ways. But that's about it. He was a spoiled, bratty bully who made all the wrong choices. He shouldn't be idolized in his original form. (Spoiled, bratty bully). He does go through the ringer and from my understanding that did change him in his adult life. He lives a life different from his parents and refuses with his wife to raise his son with the anti-Muggle propaganda his parents believed. I just don't think he should get kudos for that. (And I'm usually cheering for all the bad boys). 

6. Alice from Alice in Wonderland 


I've been listening to the WONDROUS new audiobook of Alice in Wonderland voiced by Scarlett Johanssen. I enjoy the story but Alice, herself, kind of annoys me. I compare her to other female characters from children's literature within that time and she adds up lacking. It might be because the entire book is rather trippy and out there and her personality is overridden by that. But, I don't know. Not my favorite! 

7. Scarlett O'Hara from Gone With The Wind


This girl has a following. Margaret Mitchell was brilliant and I loved Gone With The Wind. But, Scarlett just made me raise my eyebrow and roll my eyes. Her flaws are too great for me to like her. Too haughty, too privileged, too selfish.

8. Catelyn Stark from Game of Thrones


I'm a huge GoT fan. Except...I've only read the first book because he hasn't finished the series yet and he takes forever and I'm afraid to read them all now because then I'll be stuck waiting like the rest of the fandom. I do know the course the characters take (and not just because I watch the TV show). And so I know that she technically, probably feels genuine remorse for the shitty way she treated her innocent step son. BUT I SHALL NEVER FORGIVE HER. It wasn't his fault he was her husband's illegitimate son. She could forgive her husband for the transgression but she couldn't forgive the innocent boy. She basically forced him to go take the Black (meaning he couldn't inherit, have children - or the fun of making them, and would live out the rest of his life in coldness amongst criminals and other outcasts). I don't think people necessarily like her as much and so my opinion probably isn't contradictory. She just needed a shout out because I don't like her. Haha.  

9. Clarke Griffin from The 100


Disclaimer : This opinion does not refer to in any way the character as depicted, developed, and recreated by the TV Show inspired by the novel - despite my using a gif from it...lol. I tried with the 100. I really did. It just felt like she worried too much about boys. I just didn't connect with her. Such as is my problem with Tris (although I place Tris WAY above the novel Clarke Griffin) and Katniss. I think the characterization of Clarke within the TV Show (my first introduction to The 100) stole my heart first and then made all other incarnations lacking. I can't believe I just said that about a literary character versus a television character. I'm always for literature! Except...

10. Sansa Stark from Game of Thrones


Another character where I find myself rooting for the TV version but not in it's original literary incarnation. Of course, I haven't read past Game of Thrones. I don't...dislike where I believe she'll head and she does go through some horrible, horrible things. I hate that softer, feminine characters are often hung up to dry as being 'weak' and 'insipid'. But, there are plenty of strong females out there that like looking good, are capable of great gentleness, and have many traditional feminine qualities without being 'weak'. Sansa, as originally written and characterized within the book, is not one of them. She's by far the weakest Stark. (I don't count Catelyn). I hope she survives, and I hope that when I finally get to finish the series she'll blossom into the strong, determined character that she is within the TV show. 



And that is my list for the week. I look forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. I've made sure to remember to post this in a timely manner. Last week I lost track of what day it was and ended up posting it in the evening. For some reason I thought it was still Monday. Nope. Tuesday evening! 

What do you think? Comments? Disagreements? I want to hear it! 

Until next time, 

Jess











20 comments :

Lauren Stoolfire March 7, 2016 at 9:32 PM  

Scarlett made my list this week, too! I've never been able to get into Sleeping Beauty all that much not even when I was a kid - just never really cared for Aurora. Personally, I couldn't stand the entire book of The 100. The show on the other hand (at least the first season) isn't that bad.

Check out my TTT.

Anonymous March 7, 2016 at 10:06 PM  

I've never really though about how 'meh' Aurora is! She really is uninteresting!

CG @ Paper Fury March 8, 2016 at 12:55 AM  

Aww, I totally have to disagree about Sansa. XD She actually made my list of characters-I-love-but-no-one-else-does. XD hehe. BUT I 100% AGREE ABOUT CATELYN. OMG HOW COULD SHE TO POOR PRECIOUS JON SNOW?!??! And let's not forget that her kidnapping Tyrion also started a war that killed everything she loved *gross sobbing* Forever mad at Catelyn. XD

And I'm also not a wild fan of Tris'? Like she was okay...but I never connected with her and I think she'd be pretty forgettable if the franchise hadn't exploded and gotten movies and things. :|

Here's my TTT!

Aditi ~ A Thousand Words A Million Books March 8, 2016 at 2:38 AM  

AAAH! Sansa - agreed! I do like her the least (of, you know, what is left of the Stark House) but that's only because that's the only way she's been shown to us in the show. I hate saying it too, but I really have attempted the books, and they did not work out well for me.

I hate/ love/ miss Catelyn Stark! I'm rewatching the series to prepare myself for S6, and I realise how much I MISS the family together. It's the saddest thing ever.

Have a lovely week!

Aditi @ http://athousandwordsamillionbooks.blogspot.in/

Stardust Words March 8, 2016 at 6:36 AM  

Ugh I don't like Catelyn Stark either! I totally agree with what you say about her here. I also completely agree with Anna Karenina and Sleeping Beauty. Tris isn't my fave, but I liked her fine. Emma I sort of love to hate! this is a great list :)
here's my TTT!

Catherine March 8, 2016 at 7:21 AM  

Catelyn is so horrible to Jon, but for some reason I can't help but like her. I think because she's a survivor, sort of like Scarlett (who made my good list!) Fingers crossed Sansa comes into her own this series, I'd hoped she'd have grown out of her victim stage by now. :/

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 8:39 AM  

Yes! She is! Thanks for visiting! :)

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 8:41 AM  

I forgot about THE TYRION THING! Yea, she was one of the worst 'good guys' I've ever encountered. And I agree with you about the Tris thing, she probably would have been forgotten if the franchise hadn't exploded. Thanks for visiting! :)

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 8:48 AM  

I like how she's grown in the tv show, I just don't like how she's been in the book. I have high hopes for what she'll do when she gets with the right people (Brienne, YOU HAD ONE JOB!). I've only read the first book, because I'm waiting for the series to finish. lol. Thanks for visiting! :)

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 8:50 AM  

Emma is a either love or not, I think! But she's a Austen Heroine so she does deserve the respect. Even though I kind of want to shake her through the entire story, lol. But not as much as I wanted to shake Catelyn or Anna Karenina!

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 8:51 AM  

I do think the love she has for her kids and husbands redeem her a fraction but I don't know...never could get over the Jon Snow thing. (Neither could she! lol). And same here. Fingers crossed Sansa grows into her own. :)

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 8:54 AM  

The show is amazing. Even if they killed off one of my favorite characters last week. lol. Scarlett is one of the most...easiest to hate characters I've encountered. Aurora just didn't didn't do anything and I never felt she warranted (by virtue or personality) the attention she got. lol. Thanks for stopping by!

Giovanna March 8, 2016 at 10:38 AM  

I agree with Sleeping Beauty. Even as a child, I couldn't stand her! Great Top Ten! :D
My TTT.

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 12:10 PM  

She is, total drag! Thank you for stopping by! :)

Unknown March 8, 2016 at 12:19 PM  

I can still remember the shock I felt when I discovered that not only is there a fervent Draco Malfoy fanbase out there, there is a fanbase that ships Hermione and Draco together! That still just blows my stinking mind.

I cannot freaking stand Catelyn Stark. My brother and I get into arguments over it, because he sees all of these great things about her, and all I see is how it's her fault that he family was destroyed in so many different ways. I'm not saying that the family wouldn't have been destroyed without her, we are talking about Westeros and all of the twisted, evil things that implies when it comes to people close to the throne. But I can't help but feel that things would have gone so much differently if she never would have left the North.

My TTT.

Unknown March 8, 2016 at 12:36 PM  

Also, cute signage :) It's starts with nothing fancy, and then before you know it, you are spending an hour or two hunting for the perfect vector for the week's post :p

I love the colors on your blog and all of the big, bold lettering :)

MeezCarrie March 8, 2016 at 2:50 PM  

It's interesting because Emma is my least favorite Austen heroine but Knightley is my favorite hero lol. My TTT

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 2:52 PM  

Oh! Knightly is dreamy! :) He deserved much better. But he loved her anyway. And I think that's why he's so swoon worthy. Thanks for stopping by! :)

Jessica Henry March 8, 2016 at 2:57 PM  

Ikr? It's like...really...Draco? And Hermione...well...there is no man (not even Harry) that could add up to her. I find it kind of insulting that she's even connected to the likes of Draco. lol.

Catelyn is like... a conflicted character. She's not COMPLETELY evil. *Cough*-Cersei-*Cough*. But, she's far too flawed for me to like. I have a thing about evil stepmothers. And that's what she was to Jon. Even she knew it! Even her kids. If she hadn't taken Tyrion things would have looked...much, much differently in Westeros. Still messed up, because it IS Westeros. But, different.

And thank you! I got the template for this blog from Etsy. I thought it kind of looked 'newspapery'. :)

Thanks for stopping by! :)

iloveheartlandX March 9, 2016 at 2:07 PM  

Tris was on my list this week too.
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/03/08/top-ten-tuesday-47/