Classic characters: who's better?

Question

Of the characters I mention, which do you like best and why? You only have to answer the ones you've heard of. I tried to make the characters ones that most people have heard of.

Darcy or Rochester?
Jane Eyre or Catherine Earnshaw?
Frankenstein or Dracula?
Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood?
Erik (the Phantom) or Rochester?
Colonel Brandon or Mr. Bingley?
Romeo or Hareton Earnshaw?
Huck Finn or Jem Finch?
Atticus Finch or Bilbo Baggins?
Edmond Dantes or Don Quixote?
Gandalf or Aslan?
Hester Prynne or the 2nd Mrs. de Winter?
Maxim de Winter or Mr. Darcy?

Answer 1

Darcy or Rochester?

This is a close call. Mr. Darcy wins in a very close contest, because he is less brooding and has a more noble nature.



Jane Eyre or Catherine Earnshaw?

Jane Eyre, because she is strong and independent; someone who, no matter what, sticks by her own convictions.



Frankenstein or Dracula?

I take it you mean Dr. Frankenstein versus Dracula? They are both interesting, but perhaps Dr. Frankenstein merely because he's a seriously flawed man who learns, too late, remorse. If it was the creature versus Dracula, the creature wins, because he creates a feeling of pity.



Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood?

Elizabeth for sure. Marianne is too given to romanticizing everything and following only her emotions. It gets annoying. Elizabeth is bright and witty and full of fun.



Erik (the Phantom) or Rochester?

Mr. Rochester, for me, though I realize many people have a strong feeling for Erik. Still, with all his flaws, Mr. Rochester is a solid man who sees far deeper than the surface.



Colonel Brandon or Mr. Bingley?

Though Mr. Bingley is lovable, Colonel Brandon would be my choice because he's so sensible and good.



Romeo or Hareton Earnshaw?

Hareton, because he grows and changes. When he finally loves, his love is that of a man, not a boy who is fickle and seems to play at love...dramatically.



Huck Finn or Jem Finch?

It's been a long time in both cases, but Huckleberry Finn has the edge. Why? It's vague, but I recall thinking he was clever and loyal (of course, that may be spotty recollection).



Atticus Finch or Bilbo Baggins?

Atticus, though I thoroughly enjoyed Bilbo. Who could beat a man who stands by his convictions and won't waver, even though the world should be against him?



Edmond Dantes or Don Quixote?

Don Quixote, because he is a dreamer who lets nothing stop his idealism.



Gandalf or Aslan?

Aslan, not only for the obvious. He is wise and good, and is there when needed most. Besides which, he created Narnia.



Hester Prynne or the 2nd Mrs. de Winter?

Hester for that very strength that kept her going in the face of humiliation and alienation. Despite that, she was courageous and even compassionate to those who had even less than she.



Maxim de Winter or Mr. Darcy?

Mr. Darcy wins again. Maxim is interesting, but would take a lot of understanding and patience. Once Elizabeth truly got to know Mr. Darcy, she found him to be clever and noble and an all around good guy.



Fun question, Aly.

Answer 2

Darcy or Rochester: While I love Jane Eyre (the book and the character), Rochester is just a bit too manipulative and controlling. Darcy is perfect, and not in the boring-perfect way, just perfect for the story.



Jane Eyre or Catherine Earnshaw: I haven't yet read Wuthering Heights, but based on a general knowledge of its key features, and the fact that Jane Eyre is on my personal list of role-model heroines, probably Jane.



Frankenstein or Dracula: Reading Frankenstein is definitely on my agenda, but I haven't had the chance to get to it yet. Dracula is a deliciously chilling villain.



Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood: Lizzy, hands down. Always choose the wit over the ditz.



Erik or Rochester: Apparently I need to read Phantom. Judgement withheld until I can make an informed decision.



Colonel Brandon or Mr Bingley: Toss up. Maybe because I couldn't immerse myself in Sense and Sensibility, both came across as slightly ill-defined nice guys.



Romeo or Hareton Earnshaw: As stated above, no Wuthering Heights, so I can't decide. Romeo is a moody, foolish teen, but he does have the advantage of speaking in Shakespeare.



Huck Finn or Jem Finch: Huck is one of my favorite characters ever. I pretend the last few chapters do not exist, because they are inconsistent with his character development and thus annoy me. Anyway, he wins.



Atticus Finch or Bilbo Baggins: It has been years and years since my mom read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to me, and I wasn't quite old enough to analyze character traits at that point, so judgement is suspended pending rereading. (I have a feeling "suspended pending" is redundant. To the Dictionary!)



Edmond Dantes or Don Quixote: Unfortunately, I haven't read either The Count of Monte Cristo or Don Quixote.



Gandalf or Aslan: Gandalf, on my "no perfect, preaching characters allowed, no matter how appealing" principal.



Hester Prynne or the 2nd Mrs. de Winter: I have not read either; I do want to read The Scarlet Letter (I LIKE Hawthorne, and I'm not ashamed to say it, no matter how many people say otherwise), and I know absolutely nothing about Rebecca.



Maxim de Winter or Mr. Darcy: Again, I'm Rebecca-ignorant, but it's nigh impossible to beat Darcy.

Answer 3

Darcy or Rochester?: I'm not sure why but I never liked Rochester at all. I just didn't much like the whole novel, it felt a bit dry to me. And, Darcy is awesome.



Jane Eyre or Catherine Earnshaw?: I like Wuthering Heights better, but as a person I probably like Jane better, she seemed a bit more of her own person if I remember correctly. It's been a while since I've read either.



Frankenstein or Dracula?: Dracula. I always lean toward the more fantastical people. And I also have a soft spot for purely evil bad guys. Dracula was that, there was no wavering in whether he was good or bad, he was bad all the way and he was excellent at it.



Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood?: Elizabeth. She's a lot more like me so I think I identify with her more than with Marianne.



Erik (the Phantom) or Rochester?: I only know Erik from the play, I've never read the book. But based on that I would pick Erik, I'm a sucker for unrequited love. (though I think I've heard the play ends differently than the book?)



Colonel Brandon or Mr. Bingley?: Colonel Brandon, but possibly just because he's played by Alan Rickman in the movie.



Romeo or Hareton Earnshaw?: I don't remember Hareton very well, but I'd probably pick him over Romeo. I think Romeo is an idiot.



Huck Finn or Jem Finch?: Don't know Jem Finch.



Atticus Finch or Bilbo Baggins?: Don't know Atticus Finch, never having read To Kill a Mockingbird



Edmond Dantes or Don Quixote?: Oh this is hard, I like them both for different reasons. I can't pick.



Gandalf or Aslan?: Gandalf. He had more of a personality and was more accessible. Aslan always seems kind of distant and one never really gets to know him as a character. It works well for the allegory, but not so well if analyzed for character development.



Hester Prynne or the 2nd Mrs. de Winter?: I only know Hester Prynne's name, never read the book.



Maxim de Winter or Mr. Darcy?: Mr. Darcy, he has less baggage.

Answer 4

Darcy or Rochester? Darcy

Jane Eyre or Catherine Earnshaw? Jane Eyre

Frankenstein or Dracula? Dracula

Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood? Elizabeth

Erik (the Phantom) or Rochester? Rochester

Colonel Brandon or Mr. Bingley? COLONEL BRANDON!!

Romeo or Hareton Earnshaw? Um, Romeo

Huck Finn or Jem Finch? Huck Finn

Atticus Finch or Bilbo Baggins? Um, tough one...Baggins.

Edmond Dantes or Don Quixote? DANTES!!!

Gandalf or Aslan? Gandalf

Hester Prynne or the 2nd Mrs. de Winter? Mrs de Winter (haven't read that book but I hate the Scarlet Letter)

Maxim de Winter or Mr. Darcy? No one beats Darcy.

Answer 5

1) Darcy: I love both characters, but I read "Pride and Prejudice" before "Jane Eyre," and Darcy just stuck with me."

2) Catherine Earnshaw: She's so selfish--how can you -not- love her. This was the first novel I'd read where BOTH of the main characters were selfish, horrible people, and I -loved- it.

3) (haven't read Dracula). I didn't really like Victor Frankenstein though.

4) Elizabeth Bennet: (see #1--the same applies with Sense and Sensibility)

5) Rochester (haven't read Phantom of the Opera)

6) Colonel Brandon: This was difficult--I love Bingley, but Brandon is my final decision. He was one of my favorite characters in S&S.

7) Hareton Earnshaw: Am I the only one who felt sorry for him? It made me love his character.

8) Huck Finn: "Well, fine then! I'll -go- to Hell!" <--one of the best things I've ever read.

9) Atticus Finch: A great father, a great person, who seemed to be before his time in his ideals.

10) Edmond Dantes: Not silly like Quixote, but he got things done. Was extremely crafty and intelligent--resourceful. I've never read a novel that was so convoluted but came together so perfectly at the end. Dantes was a -fantastic- 'hand of God'.

11) Gandalf: I just never got into Narnia like LotR. Aslan seems too perfect. Gandalf is similar, but more badass.

12) Mrs. de Winter. I haven't read 'Rebecca', but I -loathed- "The Scarlett Letter," which made me loathe Hester Prynne. I can't help it. And she's such a weak character.

13) Mr. Darcy. Again, haven't read 'Rebecca'. But I adore Darcy.

Answer 6

Rochester: Oh come on. No Contest.



Jane Eyre: Wonderful lady, and intellgent.



Dracula: I prefer vampire lords to crazy, half-assed scientists.



Elizabeth Bennet or Marianne Dashwood: Neither....



Erik (the Phantom): I'm a fool for Gerry Butler, and even having read the book, he's the image that sticks with me.



Hareton Earnshaw: Just because Romeo was an emo little brat who needed to learn to control his hormone-driven lust.



Jem Finch: Just a preference, no real reason.



Atticus Finch or Bilbo Baggins: Cannot possibly choose.



Don Quixote: He's so great... just... idealistic and crazy. Just like me :D



Gandalf or Aslan: Once again, could not ever choose that one.



2nd Mrs. de Winter: I hate that book. I despise Hawthorne. Default.



Maxim de Winter: The crazies make for better plots :D

Answer 7

1) Rochester (far more interesting, complex, human-flawed and sexier)

2) Jane Eyre (affectionate, constant, brave, knowing herself and acknowledging her needs, kind and thoughtful about others)

3) Dracula (I never liked Frankenstein much too self-absorbed and ambitious)

4) Elizabeth (more funny and human. Marianne is too annoying with all that whimpering)

5) I haven't read the phantom

6) The Colonel (I like the way he is constant and continues to claim his beloved one). Bingley is easily persuated. I don't forgive him for that.

7) Hareton Earnshaw (he is admirable to remain human growing up in wuthering heights. He sure knows what forgiveness means). Romeo is alittle frivolous at times.

8) I don't know the second

9) I don't know both

10) Dantes (I like that guy and his perseverance, despite the cliche in the end when he marries young beautiful devoted woman while Mercedes stays alone)

11) I don't know the second

12) I don't know the first although 2nd Mrs de winter is annoying in not having at least a name. No sense of self-confidence that girl. Too bad the book was inspired from Jane Eyre whose confidence and rebellion was the best part.

13) Darcy. Maxim is kind of cold and self absorbed half of the novel so...

Answer 8

1. Rochester.

2. Jane Eyre.

3. Haven't read either of those books.

4. Elizabeth Bennet.

5. Tough one, but I'll go with Rochester.

6. Mr. Bingley.

7. LOL! Hareton Earnshaw.

8. Jem Finch.

9. Haven't read LOTR.

10. Haven't read either of those books.

11. Haven't read LOTR.

12. Haven't read Scarlet Letter or Rebecca.

13. Haven't read Rebecca.

Answer 9

Jane Eyre

Dracula

Erik (the Phantom)

Hareton Earnshaw

Huck Finn

Bilbo Baggins

Don Quixote

Gandalf

Hester Prynne

Answer 10

Adam Elliot Charles Daniels Edward Alexander Andrew Christopher Fancis Emmet Charles Daniels Anthony Frederick Harry John Eric Martin Peter Richard Matthew Evan Jonathan Henry Arthur Benjamin Jack Nathaniel Castiel Jacob Leo Mark James Vincent Louis Thomas Dennis Michael Paul William Luke Edgar Samuel Victor Dean Zachary Walter Dallas Stephen Theodore Everett Miles Douglas Christian Jasper Max Taylor Calvin Davis Steve Mason Adrian Cyrus Felix Marcus

Answer 11

Dracula (Frankensteins just a scientist, if your comparing the book itself then Frankenstein)

Gandalf

Bilbo

Romeo

Huck Finn

Answer 12

Darcy

(don't know them)

Dracula

(don't know)

Erik

Colonel Brandon

Romeo

Huck Finn

BILBO!

Don Quixote

Gandalf

(Don't know them)

(Don't know them)