The Coolest Literary Characters

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If you have not met some of the following literary characters, then you have not experienced so much of the awesomeness available to you. Let’s take a look at some of the “bestest” literary figures ever created (and at the same time, constantly mock characters from one of the worst series ever written).

Artemis Fowl
Occupation: Intelligent, crafty teenage criminal mastermind
Appears in: The Artemis Fowl series, by Eoin Colfer
Quotes: “Butler could kill you a hundred different ways without use of his armoury. Though I’m sure one would be sufficient.”
“Trust me. I haven’t been wrong yet.”
Coolest talent: Tricking the enemy into thinking his way (Taipei 101!)
Awesome factor: Artemis Fowl is just so smart (and cheeky) that you can’t help but love him. It is disappointing that **SPOILER ALERT** the author made him and Holly get together though, since there is a 100-year age gap between them (should have been Minerva!). They are, however, much better than *cough* some face-touching couples.

Atticus Finch
Occupation: Brilliant, hard-working lawyer and wise father
Appears in: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Quotes: “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… until you climb inside his skin and walk around in it.”
“They’re certainly entitled to think that, and they’re entitled to full respect for their opinions… but before I can live with other folks I’ve got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”
Coolest talent: Standing strong in the face of resistance
Awesome factor: Atticus Finch is just such a great model for everyone. At personal risk, he stands up for Tom Robinson and his own beliefs regarding racial equality. He knows what is right and wrong, and doesn’t fail to follow his conscience. (I don’t think even Ed-weird has a conscience—that abusive $&%@&#!)

Hermione Granger
Occupation: Clever witch at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Appears in: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Quotes: “I hope you’re pleased with yourselves. We could all have been killed—or worse, expelled. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to bed.”
“You said to us once before… that there was time to turn back if we wanted to. We’ve had time, haven’t we?”
Coolest talents: Wittiness and intelligence
Awesome factor: Hermione is very smart and hard-working, as well as sensible and considerate. She cares deeply about her friends, family, and others around her. Plus, she punched Draco Malfoy in the face.

Sherlock Holmes
Occupation: Genius detective
Appears in: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s various works
Quotes: “You know my methods, Watson.”
“How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?”
Coolest talent: Brilliantly solving various cases
Awesome factor: Sherlock Holmes always looks past the obvious to find the completely improbable—yet entirely logical—solution. He is intelligent and charming.

Tally Youngblood
Occupation: Teenager out to save the world
Appears in: The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld
Quotes: “You see, freedom has a way of destroying things.”
“You just took on five million years of evolution again.”
Coolest talent: Taking control of herself when others are out to brainwash her
Awesome factor: Although Tally betrays her friends several times and often breaks out into spasmodic anger rants, she is awesome because of her strength, courage, and cool tattoos.

Robert Langdon
Occupation: Professor of religious iconology and symbology at Harvard University
Appears in: The DaVinci Code and other thrillers by Dan Brown
Quotes: “What really matters is what you believe.”
“There was every orb conceivable on that tomb except one: The orb which fell from the heavens and inspired Newtons life’s work. Work that incurred the wrath of the church until his dying day. A-P-P-L-E. Apple.”
Coolest talents: Solving codes, saving the day
Awesome factor: Langdon is very smart and hilarious in his “wooing” of the girls that are with him in his various adventures. He is brilliant and always up for the adventure (with some reservations). Also, he would never forbid his girlfriend to visit a werewolf.

Jo March
Occupation: Writer
Appears in: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Quotes: “He’s dull as powder, Meg. Can’t you at least marry someone amusing?”
“Now we are all family, like we always should have been.”
Coolest talents: Admitting her faults, and selflessness (like when cuts off her hair)
Awesome factor: Jo is human and accepts the fact that she is not perfect, making her a relatable and lovable character.

John Proctor
Occupation: Farmer
Appears in: The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Quotes: “Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life! Because I lie and I sign myself to lies… I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”
“Your justice would freeze beer.”
Coolest talent: Realizing the right thing to do
Awesome factor: Although he cheated on his wife, he felt truly sorry for his sins. He holds himself to a high moral standard and tries to be the best person he can be.

Mr. Willy Wonka
Occupation: Goofy chocolate factory owner and inventor of crazy sweets
Appears in: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the sequel by Roald Dahl
Quotes: “And Charlie, don’t forget about what happened to the man who suddenly go everything he ever wanted. He lived happily ever after.”
“A little nonsense now and then, is cherished by the wisest men.”
Coolest talent: Inventing awesome sweets (square candies that look round, 3-course gum meal…)
Awesome factor: Wonka is a crazy man, but a brilliant inventor who creates various mouthwatering candy and chocolate delights. Who wouldn’t want to spend time with a candy-loving man who hires Oompa Loompas to sing songs in the background? Well, Bella would probably rather listen to “Edward’s Lullaby.”

Violet Baudelaire
Occupation: Unfortunate orphan who loves inventing
Appeared in: A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket
Quote: “At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place. But believe us when we say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may in fact, be the first steps of a journey.”
Coolest talent: Inventing things under pressure and with limited materials
Awesome factor: Violet takes care of her siblings, while helping to save all of them from the villainous Count Olaf. In the nick of time, she’ll think of ways to prevent Olaf’s nefarious schemes from happening. She's way more proactive than a certain Bella I know...

Ender Wiggin
Occupation: Brilliant child commander of Earth’s fleets against the Buggers (aliens)
Appeared in: Ender’s Game and the sequels by Orson Scott Card
Quotes: “Sometimes lies are more dependable than the truth.”
“It was what I was born for, isn’t it? If I don’t go, why am I alive?”
Coolest talents: Born leader, technology genius, inspires trust
Awesome factor: In addition to Ender Wiggin’s military genius and skill with technology, he is compassionate. He helps out Shen at the beginning of the story and later helps train launchies even when it won’t really help him. I love him. <3 I am guilty of falling in love with a fictional character.

Rhett Butler
Occupation: Blockade-runner
Appeared in: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Quotes: “With enough courage, you can do without a reputation.”
“My dear, I don’t give a damn.”
Coolest talent: Is not afraid of what others think of him
Awesome factor: Rhett Butler, although despised by his family and kicked out of West Point, is really a great person. He recognizes Melanie’s compassion and tries his best to win Scarlett’s love. His love for Bonnie was also truly touching.

Who do you think is the coolest literary character?

Related Post: My Crush is a Literary Character

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