Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish blog. This week’s topic is: Father’s Day related freebie.
Here are six of my favorite father figures from literature:
1. Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
I’m sure I’m not alone in including Scout Finch’s father on this list. He is the gold standard by which all literary fathers are judged. He’s caring, honest, hardworking, intelligent, and moral. He instills these values in his children and encourages them to think for themselves, to treat others with kindness, and to rise above the prejudices of the era. The only thing better than Atticus Finch is Gregory Peck playing Atticus Finch.
2. Captain Crewe from A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Admittedly much of my love for Captain Crewe stems from the 1995 film version- which I watched many times as a child- and whose happier ending I still prefer to the book. He adores his daughter and would give her the moon if he could. Sara’s sense of self-worth, her positive outlook, and her kindness to others are the direct results of her father’s love and guidance.
3. Hans Hubermann from The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The relationship between Liesel and Hans broke my heart into a million little pieces. It’s been years since I’ve read The Book Thief and I’m still not over it. From the very beginning these two understand and need each other. Hans forever changes Liesel’s life when he teaches her to read, giving her the unmatched gift of words and stories. He serves as a moral compass teaching her to do what is right even when what is right may cost you your life.
4. Mr. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Mr. Bennet is a loveable yet flawed father. Afterall, he certainly should have set better boundaries for reckless Lydia and he doesn’t make much attempt to disguise his preference for Lizzie. He wants the best for his favorite daughter and sets her happiness above societal pressures. He doesn’t force her to marry Mr. Collins and trusts her judgement when she tells him they have all been wrong about Mr. Darcy. I can’t help but love his dry wit and understand his tendency to retreat into his library.
5. Jean Valjean from Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
I still haven’t read the book, but I couldn’t not include Jean Valjean on this list. He is a protective and loving force from the moment he rescues Cosette from the abusive Thenardiers. It’s clear she becomes the sun around which his life revolves; the source of his happiness in a dangerous world. He sacrifices his freedom to save the man she loves.
6. Dr. Gibson from Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Dr. Gibson and his daughter Molly share a close knit bond as it is just the two of them for many years after the death of Molly’s mother. They both love simple meals of toasted bread and cheese and cart-rides through the English countryside. After his second marriage they treasure their one-on-one time even more. Dr. Gibson is incredibly protective of Molly. He values her mind, her judgement, and her company.
Who are your favorite father figures from literature?
snap with Hans Hubermann and Atticus Finch.
My Top Ten Tuesday @ Engrossed in a good book
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Wives and Daughters is such an underrated book! I loved the relationship between Molly and Dr Gibson.
My Father’s Day TTT
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It really is underrated! I love the BBC miniseries too and think it deserves as much attention as North and South gets!
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Jean Valjean is one of them. So glad Jean Valjean rescued Cosette from the abusive Thenardiers and kept his promise to Fantine. Jean Valjean and Cosette are both broken at this point in the story, but they help heal each other as the story continues.
There is also Mr. Weasly in Harry Potter.
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Hans Hubermann is such a great character. 🙂
Lauren @ Always Me
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I’m now realising I missed out some good choices when I wrote my own version of this. North and South is my favourite Gaskell so far. BTW thanks for following me at bookertalk.com
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Thank you for reminding me of the adorable Captain Crewe, not seen since childhood but now alive again!
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Jean Valjean for sure. He loves Cosette and he is the light of her world. He had to become father to her in the most unexpected of circumstances. He gave Cosette a better life than she had before. Jean Valjean is such an amazing character
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