Most Memorable Character in 20th Century Literature

[Andy]

In your opinion, who's the most memorable character in 20th century literature? Memorable as in, the one almost everyone on the street would know about?

This excludes characters that appeared in video games or movies first. None of that Master Chief stuff, even though there are books about him. :D

My professor already gave a lot of proof for one, but I don't want to influence everyone's opinion...yet. :devious:

[Steak-Ums]

.......I have a19th century one.

Alex from a clockwork orange.

I will kill anyone who says Harry P.

I would say.....I don't know...

[Andy]

Hahahaha, I suggested HP in class, but more as a joke, since he's more like 21st century. He only really became popular after 1999.

[Shaun]

I think this is very subjective. Do you want me to answer what I personally think is the most memorable or what I think most people will remember?

If it's the former...probably It from the book of the same name by Stephen King simply because Tim Curry as It scared the living crap out of me. Or Ender from Ender's Game because I can't get him out of my head--I think about all the boys he dealt with that will no longer be able to have children because of him.

As for what people might consider to be a memorable character, and I would have to agree because most people would probably agree: Gandalf or Frodo, from Tolkien. If you heard any of those names you'd likely know where they are from and at least something about them. That was even before the movies came out because LOTR is the only set of books that has ever challenged the Bible in sales (yes, Harry Potter hasn't beat LOTR yet, but that's because HP hasn't been around long enough...Tolkien has a good 50+ years on Rowling...)

[Andy]

Ugh, should have clarified: the character that most people will remember. So, more along the lines of Frodo and Gandalf. :)

[GeorgeMichael]

Kill me now Willis, my choice goes for Harry, no one will ever forget him, but since we're on the twentieth century I will say...



The Grinch? Cat in the Hat? The Lorax? Any Dr. Seuss? do they count? :)

[Nyx]

I have to say Harry is one that we will remember, like it or not. I can't think of anything from 20th century though.

[Imelda]

Well apart from Harry and The LotR gang, I can't say I've heard of any of them, so that shoots the others in the foot. Harry is 21st Century, though, so LotR tops that on this occasion.

However, my suggestion is Big Brother from Orwell's 1984. If you haven't read the book and been creeped out by that, chances are you've heard about the TV program, or read the phrase in relation to some government's latest tactics.

[Crocolyle]

Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye?

Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scarlet O'Hara from Gone with the Wind?

Winnie the Pooh

[Steak-Ums]

Attuicus Finch.

[Rafael Domination]

I remembered the BFG from Roal Dahl (sp?) when I was young...ah treasured memories...!

[Nyx]

Holden Caulfield from Catcher in the Rye?

Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird?

Scarlet O'Hara from Gone with the Wind?

Winnie the Pooh


Not sure about the other ones but Scarlet from Gone with the Wind is definately a memorable character.

[Steak-Ums]

Gone with the Wind was just gay. Couldn't stand it.

But ...To Kill was great, always held my attention.

Funny thing happened in class other day while we were discussing the book:

Teacher: You tell me when you remember what made Jem mad.
[ 5 mins later after it's long forgotten ]
Me: A NIGGER LOVER! SHE CALLED THEM NIGGER LOVERS!
[silence]

[Nyx]

Gone with the Wind was just gay. Couldn't stand it.




Ok I'm sorry but saying that something is "gay" is very offensive.

I remembered the BFG from Roal Dahl (sp?) when I was young...ah treasured memories...!

Oh my god, I love that book! I read it in grade three and it's one of those books that I'll never forget. So I guess the BFG is a memorable character:)

[Steak-Ums]

Well actually it is.


You're quite right. It's a shame it's in my everyday vocabulary as a synonym for bad..

Ah well. I consider this my apology.

For some reason btw, after I posted I had a feeling you would say something. I come back to edit and pow. Ah well.

[Nyx]

Well actually it is.


You're quite right. It's a shame it's in my everyday vocabulary as a synonym for bad..

Ah well. I consider this my apology.

For some reason btw, after I posted I had a feeling you would say something. I come back to edit and pow. Ah well.


It's ok, I used to use that word alot for a synonym as bad. But now I know someone who is homosexual and now I understand how it's truely offensive. Don't worry, you can get it out of your vocab for that kind of synonym fast:)

[Steak-Ums]

Just wanna point out, going to an all boys school, I know gay people, and they use it to. I think it's a geographical thing.

[Nyx]

Oh well ok then. Where I live it's considered offensive....

[Steak-Ums]

I know! Debate forum time! I think....

[Nyx]

What do you mean? A debate to whether it's offensive or not?

[Steak-Ums]

Yeah.

[Shaun]

Big Brother and Winnie the Pooh are also excellent examples. I can't believe I forgot Big Brother...

[Crocolyle]

I love Big Brother.


(Get it?)

[Imelda]

I get it! I get it!

I hate Big Brother. I'd be in Room 101 before you could say 'thoughtcrime'. :groovy:

[Andy]

My Precioussss...



He's really memorable, isn't he? Who know who that is, right? :D

[Carraka]

My Precious? Who's that?

Haha, just kidding. I know it's that short guy. Um, Legolas? No wait, that's the dwarf. Erm---Frodo.

xDDD

But truly, I have no idea who the most memorable character would be.

[Shaun]

I don't know if he's as memorable as other characters in the 20th. Most of us remember him because of the movies, which came out in the 21st century.

[Rafael Domination]

And, who could forget doctor hannibal lecter...

Or, was he conceived in the 21st century...

[Shaun]

I think he counts since a lot of that character's popularity came from the movies, the first of which was well before the 21st century...

[Eve]

Tammelo de Fformelo Tussock, Salamandastron!

Really memorable.