Holding Out for a Hero

[sakuratsukikage]

Another post in the "things I really like" series.  (For the record, when I say hero in these posts, I mean it as a term inclusive of both male and female characters--same with "good guys" and "bad guys.")

So, sometime in the 1980s, I think, though I'm not really sure, considering I was born then, it struck people that really, really flawed

Comments

[celen]

Oh, Luke. ♥ He's been my absolute favourite from Star Wars since I first saw the films when I was eight years old, and I've loved him ever since then. And it's absolutely true what you say about him: it doesn't matter that he's naive, or slightly out of it for some time, or not quite so quick-witted as Han. It's that he's, as you said, a good person. A person like that, who genuinely cares, believes in people, in goodness - how can you not but admire a person like that? And as he still grows as a person, as he learns more as the saga progresses, how can you find him boring? I've never understood the people who say that about him - I always wonder if we've even watched the same films at all

[rentetsu]

It's a joy hearing you on this topic, you. I never get bored of it. I have to say, my appreciation for Luke grew after meeting you. I think in elementary school I was mainly absorbed in, "That car has no wheels!" "Man, I wish I had a wookie copilot." "Leia's strapped to a giant slug while she's only in her underwear! Gross." And around middle school I totally fell in love with Wedge and Janson and was therefore sad that they're barely in the original trilogy. But I adore Luke for caring so much--that's who he is. It really resonates with me too

[sakuratsukikage]

Aww, thank you, seriously. I'm glad you don't get bored, because I do tend to go on and on, I think. And this actually makes me really happy. XD I'd love to increase Luke appreciation in everyone I know. (And Wedge and Janson are awesome, but I'm almost glad they're not in it more so that they could be spun off into what they are in the Expanded Universe. Which is awesome.) But yes. Luke's caring about things so much is what really endears him to me, and makes me wonder how people could ever think that he's boring.

Garion, the main character, is really honest, deep-down good and Silk appreciates Garion's goodness and always looks out for him. See, I think that's the sort of thing that I think you can get, that kind of character interaction, when you embrace that a certain character is a good person, because it's natural for people to admire that. And that kind of back and forth between characters can be so interesting. And I think your point that Harry chooses to live up to his role is a really good one, too, because

[sakuratsukikage]

I'm seriously sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this. ^^;; I can be kind of a flake when it comes to LJ, and I'm sorry for it, because THIS COMMENT MADE ME SUPER HAPPY, so thank you for it. ♥

Because seriously, ARE YOU ME? XDD I could have written this myself: Oh, Luke. ♥ He's been my absolute favourite from Star Wars since I first saw the films when I was eight years old, and I've loved him ever since then. (Though I saw the films younger, but still.) Luke fans unite. XD And yes! Exactly. Luke is such a fascinating character, and it's how he's such a good person that helps to make him fascinating in the first place. I've always really loved that it's the simple fact that Luke has faith in his father that's the catalyst for the climax of the whole trilogy, because that's . . . so much what Luke is. And that's the foundation of the entire trilogy, really.

I tend to like characters with depth, and in that sense there are characters who are, while very good people, slightly boring, but that's not a result from

[celen]

No no, it's okay! I can understand that, since there are still some comments that were left in some of my posts something like four months ago and I still haven't answered them (mainly because I'd feel idiotic, to answer after such a long while). :>

Haha, that's what I thought when I read your post! Because seriously, I read every sentence and went, "yes, that's exactly what I think, too" after every single one of them.

I've always really loved that it's the simple fact that Luke has faith in his father that's the catalyst for the climax of the whole trilogy. This, so much. It's so Luke, it's something no one else would have believed in, something they would think he's naïve for, and still he's just right at the end and nothing would've been possible if not for his unwavering faith in goodness

[sakuratsukikage]

Yes, I know exactly what you mean, because I get the same feeling. Like . . . how weird will I look if I reply NOW. But I really did want to reply to your comment, so I did it anyway. XD

And I'm glad! This is awesome. XDD

It's so Luke, it's something no one else would have believed in, something they would think he's naïve for, and still he's just right at the end and nothing would've been possible if not for his unwavering faith in goodness.

Yes, just, exactly this. It all comes down to his inherent qualities, but in a way that no one would ever have expected, and that he sticks to his belief, naive or not, is what changes everything. I love that, so much--how it all depends on him, but not on him actually fighting or killing anyone.

And yes! That's exactly it. The redeeming feature, or the sense that at least they're TRYING, whether or not they're doing a good job, to be a good person, or inner vulnerability, or what have you, and they become one of those characters I can really care about. Exactly what you said here: If