Father Figures
Today's Top Five Wednesday topic is Favorite Father figures. Since I read a lot of YA, I don't run into a lot of father figures. YA authors like to give their characters emancipation by making the parental units go away somehow. But I'll do what I can.
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Oh well first we have Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I first read this book when I was about 10. Even when I was ten years old and didn't have any idea what was going on in this book because I couldn't figure out why everyone hated black people. That was not in my universe, yet, so I was confused. But even in my confusion, I knew that Atticus was a winner dad.
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Also, from my childhood, Pa from the Little House series. I felt like Laura did plenty of things to make her dad angry, but he usually was very loving and kind with his correction.
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Charlie Swan from Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Here's this guy who really wants to be a dad, but he doesn't get the chance for 17 years. Then when he does, he has no idea what's going on and he gets manipulated. You know, like all dads of teen girls. He was just great.
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The dad from The Road by Cormac McCarthy. He probably has a name, but I don't know if it ever came up in the book. Anyway, he was trying to protect his son in their post-apocalyptic world, trying to keep him from dwelling on what they'd lost, trying to teach him how to survive, and trying to teach him to tell the difference between the good people and the bad.
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Mr. Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I am conflicted about this one, which may or may not surprise you. I like him. I like his sense of humor. I like how much he appreciates the two oldest daughters. I like his relationship with Elizabeth. I don't like how he treats his wife. I don't like that he is too lazy to take control of his wayward children. I don't like that he insults his children. So, I don't know for sure if he has earned his spot on this list, but I'll leave him here for now.
Who are your favorite literary fathers?