Let's Talk: Your Favourite Inspirational Characters

Friday, August 30, 2013




Let's Talk is a weekly feature here at i swim for oceans. I think it's important that we all have our say, and there's something to be said for raising our voices. Simply put, here on the little old blog, I like to host some of my very own discussion posts because, well, I like to converse with you all.

And so, Let's Talk will feature questions or prompts, which I will answer, too. Love it or hate it, weigh in or don't, it's my hope that Let's Talk will at least get you thinking...and maybe even get you discussing with the rest of us!
Who are some of your favourite inspirational characters and why?


Yet again, I don't know why I do this to myself. Frankly, I could make an entire list of characters just from one series (Harry Potter, obviously), but I decided to put my big girl pants on and branch out...sort of. I have too many inspiring characters to list, but there are three that really stand out for various reasons, and that was the reason I decided to go ahead with this topic. 


1. Sirius Black from Harry Potter - When we were introduced to his character in the novels, I'd be lying if I said I didn't think he was an absolute psycho at first. Slowly but surely though, we watch as his hardened exterior forged by Azkaban and multiple betrayals begins to fade. Though he desires to be on the forefront of the action, above all else, he wants to be a parent to Harry, and he's willing to fight and die for him. His persona, his character and his selflessness is utterly inspiring.

2. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games - Though I feel like we lost a bit of the essence of Katniss in the third book, it doesn't change the fact that it was (and is) thoroughly impressive to see a female character truly kick some ass. Though she is realistically afraid of what's to come, she inspires a nation by taking her sister's place in the games, and puts herself in a position where she will have to fight just to live. It is utterly refreshing to see that, though she doesn't need a man to survive, she can find one without losing herself, too.

3. Hazel Grace from The Fault in Our Stars - For the record, I don't think that picture is actually from the movie, but if it is, Shailene Woodley makes cancer look good. I'm going to hell. Anyhow, Hazel Grace inspires me because, though she knows she will probably die from her disease, she lives her life. She's isolated herself a lot through the course of her illness, and we learn that this strong, independent girl did so for the sake of others, rather than herself. She knows it will hurt them even more when she's gone. Plus, Hazel + Augustus simply means living life to its fullest.

What about you? Which characters do you find the most inspiring?

14 comments:

  1. Definitely agree with these choices :D

    Sirius is one of my favourite HP characters (when he died, I sobbed like a baby).

    Hazel = awesome. So strong emotionally and the way she took care of Augustus near the end? God, my heart!

    - Allie @ Little Birdie Books

    ReplyDelete
  2. I definitely agree with Katniss. When I read book 1, I was amazed by her. She was such an admirable character.
    I haven't met Hazel yet, but I've heard great things about her personality.
    Thanks for sharing, Melissa! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yeah, you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself to come up with just a couple of inspirational characters! There are so many (and yet, not near enough sometimes). Love Katniss, the reluctant hero. LOVE Sirius because he's awesome. STILL haven't read TFiOS because I'm not ready to cry yet. Great choices!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Okay, I have got to agree with all of those titles, Melissa! Hazel, Sirius and Katniss are absolutely amazing and full of heart.

    Great list, chick!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Such a fab list! You know part of the reason I love Sirius so so much is that he is majorly flawed. He lives in the past, seeing Harry as a son but also as James for the most part. I loved that. It somehow made him more inspirational and stronger in my mind because it made him real. <3

    ReplyDelete
  6. YES to ALL of the above! Gosh, Sirius just KILLS me. He has the saddest story arc in the entire series, so that's heartbreaking, but I love Remus too. ALL THE MARAUDERS! :) I also love Aragorn from Lord of the Rings and Peeta is perhaps the character who inspires me the most from THG since he tries to hard to be GOOD in a time of such darkness. Wonderful post, Melissa! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh, SIRIUS! Yes. And I think I'd probably add Snape to that HP list too--he's one of my fave's--got to love an anti-hero:)

    And Hazel! I really don't know HOW I am going to sit through a screening of The Fault in Our Stars. I'm going to be such a blubbering mess. But I'm resolved that if I see any YA book to movie in the next year, TFiOS will be it. :)

    Great topic!

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is a really great question and list! i really agree with them all (though I haven't read the Fault in Our Stars yet - its on my list though!)

    ReplyDelete
  9. My top pick is Leisel Meminger from The Book Thief. Fox 2000 recently released the trailer and it's going to be an awesome movie.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh I love Sirius Black. I'd say Katsa from Graceling is such an inspirational character -- especially for women like Katniss is. She's strong and independent. And then I adore Jane Eyre (but that one might be kind of cheating since she's like the literary goddess).

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't read HP but I definitely agree with Hazel and Katniss. They are some of the strongest heroines that I've had the pleasure of reading about!

    Christy @ Christy's Book Addiction

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great choices- I love all these characters, very inspiring.
    I think I would struggle to narrow it down!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I loved all the characters in Melina Marchetta's Lumatere series. Most of them were inspiring in one way or another. Really any book by her has characters that you just are in awe of! Katniss is a great choice. Lovely post, Melissa! :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love the choice of Katniss-I think she's so amazing! I also would have to throw in Hermione for being a bookish girl-got to love that!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I always do my very best to return the favour :)

Please note that this blog is an award-free zone!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover