Hey All!

This was an assignment for school, and my sis did it too, if you are interested in her ideas on the subject. My Mom got the idea from Dr. Veith's blog where he asked the same question.

Anyway....the idea is to say who the most influential characters (fictional, from TV, Books and Movies) are in your life. Good and Bad. And you also need to tell me why...please...

Good:

Anakin Skywalker: I know that most of you hate (or severely disklike) Hayden Christensen's performance in Episode 2 and 3 of Star Wars (I don't, but that's just me). Some of you have read the books (kudos to you!) and have gathered a better, deeper understanding of Anakin as Anakin, and not HC. Anakin was always meant to symbolize the struggle between good and evil. As an admitted Christian, I find it very easy to relate to him. He struggles to follow the rules, do the right thing, and just generally be a good person. As Anakin, he has a distinct sense of morals, such as kindness, trust, truth, determination, perseverance, true love, logic, peacemaking, not afraid to defy the rules when they are wrong, selflessness etc. And while he is still a sinner, he is allowing the force the use him for good purposes. As Darth Vader, he is a dark, distant sinner. Anakin is a perfect example of what we as humans go through everyday. We struggle to do right, or to fall into sin. Sometimes we do the right thing, but most of the time we are blind to the truth, and sin. Anakin falls into sin, but he, after some time, is able to see his mistake, and then tries to correct it. But he can't do it alone, it takes other people and the all mysterious force to influence him to the right decision. This is a play on how other believers influence our faith, as well as the role that the Holy Spirit has on us, to guide to the right choice.  It's also a description of the sinner/saint that is within us all.

Frodo Baggins: Frodo starts out as a humble, innocent hobbit, then through extraordinary circumstances must save Middle Earth. There are many connections between Frodo and many apostles or saints (such as Perpetua, James, and Peter) He constantly doubts himself, which is a show of his constant humbleness. He, like Anakin, struggles to destroy the Ring, or succumb to it. Just like Anakin, he doesn't do it alone. He has Sam, and Gandalf. It takes a strong character to actually do the right thing, because everyone can be shown the path, but many do not  follow it.

Samwise Gamgee: Arguably the best sidekick of all time, Sam strengthens not only those around him, but finds that by doing that, it strengthens him. Humans were always meant to rely on each other for encouragement. Sam is the perfect example of humbleness and perseverance. He is quite content to not be in the spotlight, and to advise others, but only when they ask for it. He is encouraging, and never gives up.

Peregrin Took: An influence of a different kind, Peregrin shows the transformation from child to adult. He doesn't necesarily WANT to grow up, but he must. This is a trail that everyone will face in time. If you follow Pippin's journey, he starts out as a rather childish, distant and unrealistic chap. He ends up as a serious (but not too serious), responsible man...er...hobbit. He finds the perfect balance of seriousness and fun.

Pschye: From C.S. Lewis' Til We Have Faces, Pschye is a girl who was not blessed with beauty. She finds that it is hard to go through life with her ugliness displayed on the outside. So many people she encounters are superficial, and will not talk to her simply because she is not "beautiful" on the outside. But she has character, something her beautiful sister lacks. Though she is not well favored, she is patient, and when she dies, she is shown for her true beauty. Inside and out.

Jean Valjean: He, unlike any other characters here, starts out bad, and turns to good. This shows that even the farthest fallen soul can be redeemed.

Unfortunately, there are more bad characters than good. I have two categories, Sarcastic, and just Plain Bad.

So....Sarcastic

Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Indiana Jones, Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth Bennet, Elizabeth Swann, Mr. Rochester, Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler and Archie Bunker. All of these characters are  sarcastic, sardonic, and just plain rude. They are blinded by greed, their wants and needs, and they are consumed by themselves.The only one of these characters that improves is Obi-Wan. While their quips might be humorous, one wonders if they feel anything at all. They take sarcasm  to a level it shouldn't be taken to, and they are perfect showcases of the depravity of man, not to mention their egos are about the size of the Millenium Falcon.

And just plain evil...

Darth Vader, Darth Sidious, The Phantom of the Opera, Captain Barbossa, Davy Jones, Baron Rodolphe de Gortz, and Captain Nemo. There is simply nothing good about any of these characters. They only bring you down. They have no good quailities, and like the previous catagory, they are self focused. (If you've ever read the book The Phantom of the Opera, he's no good..at least he tried to redeem himself in the movie.) There is nothing redeeming or rewarding about these characters.

Okay. So I'm done ranting...have fun!!

Jade