That One Character

Books!
If there is anyone who can vouch for me- as a close friend, then they would know my top three items: books, cakes, and coffee. Imagine sitting in a quiet cafe, sipping your coffee, taking pieces of your cake and reading a good book. Now isn't that lovely?
 If you are not a fan of books, then I am sorry this post is going to make you reach out for one and read it! In life, there are people we meet who completely change our perspective. There are those you meet and you picture yourself locked behind bars because they irritate you to your soul. There are those whom you completely listen to their soul and wonder where they have been the whole time. There are those who sweep you off your feet-only to let you land flat on your behind. If you were dating and broke up with someone-you most definitely fit the last description!
The same goes for writing. If you pick a book and read it, chances are there are characters who will leave a lasting impression on you. You can choose to embody one if not most of their traits based on how they grow in the book. I have a list of my favorite characters and how they have impacted me. For years the list has been growing and it is not in any order, just as I deem fit, so here are some of the major characters I have read of:

1. Darcy Fitzwilliam- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. He is set as the perfect guy, rich, handsome but too proud. When he falls in love for Elizabeth Bennet all this changes and suddenly those who thought him unbearable find him charming.
2. Elizabeth Bennet- as stated above, she is the heroine of the tale, who actually chooses wisely because she finds the partner who is her equal in terms of understanding her.
3. Hank Rearden- Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. He is the supreme man, he works hard. He loves his job and appreciates how hard he works for it. He shrugs later on though.
4. John Galt- (same book as 3), he is the guy who makes the world stop. He shows mankind how futile it would be without the inventors, geniuses, scientists-that it does not appreciate.
5. Howard Roark-- The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. He is officially speaking, the greatest character I have ever encountered. It is because he is immortal. In essence Rand, hoped he would be, but she did not estimate just how much. Howard is the greatest architect that ever lived, yet no one sees it. His standards are not everyone standards...he even says "I don't wish to be a symbol of anything, only myself." You have to read the book to understand me.
6. Rubashov- Darkness at Noon by Arthur Koestler. I cannot fully express him but here, listen to one of his arguments "how can one change the world if one identifies oneself with everybody?"
7. Waiyaki- The River Between by Ngugi wa Thiong'o. It is a simple read. Waiyaki fights for change but he figures out later that it is easy to change what is on the outside, than one's mentality and beliefs.
   

These are some of my spotlight characters...make a list of your own, it can actually reveal to you some of the traits you value or principles you advocate for.