# Fictional Characters you try to be like and why.. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 5, 2001, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793 "2001-03-05T04:35:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2001, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/41 "2001-03-06T17:37:08Z")
Johnny Angel, thanks for mentioning the fact that Harriet Tubman is a real person. Inor was right. I just got carried away listing names and works. Actually, I think it’s the teacher in me. I can’t help it. Yeah, that’s my excuse. 😃 I always throw things in odd places to see if my students will catch them. Glad to know that you know your history; you’d be surprised to know how many people don’t know who she is. Inor, yeah, I wouldn’t want to be put in the mother’s position and have to make the kind of decision dhr did, but that’s part of the appeal of that character. She’s realistic because [Cliche alert on] life just gets crazy like that sometimes [Cliche alert off] and people find themselves in the most preposterous situations where they have to make difficult decisions like she did and hope that things will work out. That mother intrigues me because she reminds me that I can’t judge others until I’ve walked in their shoes. I’d like to think that I would act with that kind of courage if I were in a similar situation, but then I hope I’m never tested like that. It’s a shame you don’t know about any of the other characters. They’re great. Gosh, all these other responses. I’ve heard of Terry Pratchett(?), but since he’s written so much, I don’t know where to start. Does anyone have any suggestions? And I haven’t read Tolkien in a while. Now I want to re-read him as well, but there just aren’t enough hours in the day! [sigh] ---
**Author:** ![Ooner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/c67d28/32.png) [@Ooner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ooner)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2001, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/42 "2001-03-06T20:05:32Z")
This one is pretty easy. The bank-robber character Jack Foley from “Out of Sight,” an Elmore Leonard book and George Clooney movie. Tough, charming, and pretty bright, with no characteristics in obnoxious excess. ---
**Author:** ![keeper0](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b19c9b/32.png) [@keeper0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/keeper0)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2001, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/43 "2001-03-06T20:17:44Z")
**Samwise son of Hamfast** Loyal, honest, faithful. He is scared to death of everything that is around him, but that fear only makes him more determined that his friend will not face it alone. He never gets caught up in the glamor or glory. It is all about doing a job that needs to get done and going home. He keeps his head in tough situations, and he keeps hope in his heart when others lose theirs. And when he has the single most valuable item in the world in his possession, he gives it up freely. Why? Because his friend asked him to. I’ve never seen myself as a Frodo or an Aragon. I am not the fearless leader or hero. I am the guy right behind them, who guards their back, picks them up when they fall and helps them carry the load. ---
**Author:** ![inor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f475e1/32.png) [@inor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inor)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2001, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/44 "2001-03-06T20:20:54Z")
daaaaaaamn- yah, _and_ to have _her_ for a girlfriend? ( I mean, yah, that good-lookin, but also, how she was- that set-up at the end there? With Samuel Jackson? Thass nothing short of the best love scene I’ve ever seen) ---
**Author:** ![Cyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a88e4f/32.png) [@Cyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyn)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/45 "2001-03-06T23:42:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Eutychus55 \* > \*\*Spencer. > > Tough, intelligent, romantic, literate, wise, a great cook … what else could you ask for? \*\* All my adult life, I’ve secretly looked for Spenser, and since I can’t find him, I try to be like him. Being a girl, this isn’t easy, but I try to know myself and do what’s right according to my own set of rules. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2001, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/46 "2001-03-06T23:51:37Z")
One of the fictional characters I admire the most is Philip Marlowe. He’s judgemental, sure. You might even say he’s an asshole. Probably he’s an alcoholic, too. But for 25 dollars a day, plus expenses, he risks death and legal consequences to protect people that he himself does not like, but for some reason cares about. You can’t earn Marlowe’s loyalty, and you sure as hell can’t buy it. He gives it to you, and you better believe you don’t deserve it. He’ll sass you to your face, but when the chips are down, he’ll take a beating for you, risk losing his lisence, take crazy chances, get your enemies off your back, get your photos back, square you with the cops and keep your name out of the papers. I’d like to know more such assholes. ---
**Author:** ![Darqangelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@Darqangelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darqangelle)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/47 "2001-03-07T01:35:05Z")
…but I’m weak: James-Freaking-Bond: Does the job because he loves the rush, not the paperwork. Takes advantage of every situation he finds himself in to get out alive: Was one of the first literate heroes to use unconventional means to get out of desperate situations, which denotes his intelligence. High physical prowess in most (what is considered today) adrenaline sports. Trivial knowledge of somewhat interesting, if not romantic, items and procedures. The Vampire Lestat: A loner who defies convention, even if his ‘convention’ is not conventional. Constantly pushes the limits (physical, mental, fashionable) and attains the greatest rewards. Like Bond, will take advantage of a situation where others might balk and say “Well, I COULD, but I really shouldn’t.” The standard answer is, “Why not?” A character from Murphy Brown: Who, up until recently, I thought was played by Perry King, but I can’t find him in any episode guide. He only showed up for one episode, but he was an ex of Murphy’s from years ago that popped back into town for a short stay. He was handsome, smart, genuine, spoke five languages, had a pilot’s licence, was a skydiver, lived in various parts of the world, and was a generally likeable guy who embraced life. Of course, everybody hated him, even though they really couldn’t for long. But that episode remained etched in my head with the thought , “I want to be THIS guy.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Rieux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@Dr.Rieux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Rieux)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/48 "2001-03-07T13:56:15Z")
keeper0, you beat me to it! Last year when I turned 40, I suddenly realized that it was really Samwise I’d been emulating for many years–trying to achieve that level of honesty and courage, and above all, loyalty. All those years, I thought I was Pippin, but no… And celestina, it’s nice to meet another fan of Butler’s “Parable” books. Have you started giving copies as presents to friends yet? ---
**Author:** ![AWB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bb73d2/32.png) [@AWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AWB)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/49 "2001-03-07T14:03:05Z")
I’m always trying to crack jokes like **Chandler Bing** on “Friends”. My wife would say I’m just like him, except that he’s funny. :D:D The first time I found myself in a make-out session with a girl, I had no idea how I should kiss her. Then I thought of how **Capt. Kirk** would do it, and copied his style. She seemed to like it. :D:D Thanx, Bill! ---
**Author:** ![relic\_11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/50afbb/32.png) [@relic\_11](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/relic_11)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/50 "2001-03-07T16:12:01Z")
I don’t want to _be_ James Bond. Just have an affair with him. Ooooh, baby, rrrrooowwwwwrrrrr! I need a good Bond-Girl name… ---
**Author:** ![Daniel\_Sugar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Daniel\_Sugar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daniel_Sugar)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/51 "2001-03-07T16:43:59Z")
I’m a big Highlander fan–movies and series. My favorite character and the one I’d like to most be like is Connor MacLeod. He kicks ass, takes no crap, but the overall feel you get from him–the vibe he puts out–is ‘this is a dangerous man’ He’s honorable and loyal to those close to him, but not as ‘nice’ as the other main character, Duncan. Connor’s not a boy scout, under self-imposed obligation to help everyone he comes across. The other character I love is Morpheus, from the Matrix–just exuding that air of calm mystery and confidence. You really don’t want to mess with this guy, but if you get in with him, he’d die for you if needed. ---
**Author:** ![celestina](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/258eb7/32.png) [@celestina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/celestina)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/52 "2001-03-07T17:12:05Z")
Dr. Rieux, At last! It’s so nice to meet another Butler fan at the SD. 🙂 She’s absolutely my favorite writer. I’ve read everything she’s ever written at least twice. She’s that good. And yes, I’ve given Butler books away to friends. 🙂 Recently, I got a kick out of a friend who does not like to read much. I loaned him a copy of _Parable of the Sower_, and he told me he couldn’t put it down until he finished it. I’ve also taught _Parable of the Sower_ twice. So what’s your favorite book by her? Which one did you read first? I can’t decide if I like _Kindred_, _Wild Seed_, or _Dawn_ the best. ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Straight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dec6dc/32.png) [@Enola\_Straight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Straight)\ **Post date:** [March 7, 2001, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793/53 "2001-03-07T18:14:53Z")
The Terminator Big, cool, determined. Gets an objective in mind, and dosen’t stop until the objective’s achieved. Disregards anything irrelevant. Some asshole gets in the way, waste him. Expediancy overrules bullshit. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fictional-characters-you-try-to-be-like-and-why/56793.md?page=2)