In my life…

So I was enjoyably engaged in the pursuit of reading Jane Austen’s much loved Pride and Prejudice (for the skeptics out there, I was not doing so simply to please my wife, though this was undoubtedly a good incentive) when I suddenly realized that one of the characters reminded me strongly of a friend of mine. This was an entertaining thought to me, and inspired me to begin thinking about the people in my life that remind me of literary characters or of literary characters that remind me of people that I know in real life. I have thus endeavored to create a list of some of my acquaintances (this is not a complete list mind you…).

It is also worth mentioning that all these similarities are simply things that remind me of the literary character or the actual acquaintance. In my defense before I receive any censorship, I am not saying that there is a one to one correlation between my friends and relations and these characters. I am simply stating that a character or a person has reminded me of something, and that I see some similarities. I do not make these comparisons in an attempt to insult or hurt anyone, but because I enjoy the company of them all. I trust that nobody will take offense at any of the comparisons made at this time.

My Tall Friend with the Mustache: This was the acquaintance that started it all. As I was reading Pride and Prejudice I came upon a line that read (as Elizabeth Bennet is leaving to visit her cousin) “The only pain was in leaving her father, who would certainly miss her, and who, when it came to the point, so little liked her going, that he told her to write to him, and almost promised to answer her letter.” While this is nothing that I have ever seen My Tall Friend with the Mustache do, there is something in Mr. Bennet’s manner that recalled my friend to my mind. The is a similarity in their general intelligence and good taste, coupled with great amusement derived from astute observation of the peculiarities found in the actions of others. A complex blend of human decency and sarcastic wit, both coupled with a formidable intelligence. Likewise Mr. Bennet’s tendency to read, as well as his delight in sharing whatever discovery he has made with others both remind me of My Tall Friend with the Mustache. There is however one place where I can safely say that My Tall Friend with the Mustache strongly departs from Mr. Bennet, that being that my friend’s choice in a matrimony is considerably better than Mr. Bennet’s. My friends wife is as intelligent and insightful as Mrs. Bennet is frivolous and silly.

The Intelligent Spouse of the Mustache: There is a character that has long reminded my of The Intelligent Spouse of the Mustache, but I am a little ashamed to say that it is a literary character of the opposite gender. Thus I make my apologies at this time, and beg pardon. But I have often quoted lines concerning this character when referring to this Lady, and could not in good conscience attempt to find another literary character. In Shakespeare’s Love’s Labour’s Lost the character of Boyet (the attendant/emissary of the Princess of France) is at one time called “An old love-monger” due to his peculiar role in attempting to increase the romantic tension in the play. The Intelligent Spouse of the Mustache and Boyet both seem to possess a highly affable nature, a love of news (aka gossip) and highly pervasive tendency to try to hook up friends and relations (I myself was the recipient of several attempts). However, while the matchmaking tendencies of some tend to be irksome and annoying (much like Yenta) Boyet and The Intelligent Spouse of the Mustache are both able to remain perfectly affable and amiable while plying their trade. This seems to be due to wit, native intelligence, a wonderful sense of humor, and the ability to generally make the ones being “hooked up” feel genuinely cared for.

The Roommate Whom I Have Lived the Longest With: In the Chinese epic tale Journey to the West there is a demon known as “Pig” or sometimes as “Pigsy” due to the fact that he is, in fact, a large, bipedal demon pig. He is often referred to as “that fool” or “foolish pig” or by some like epithet. He is ever hungry, often complains, and at times expresses bizarre and questionable observations about Buddhism. Despite these failings, pig is one of the most endearing and lovable characters in the book, perhaps second only to the hero Monkey. Pigsy is affable, usually friendly and lovable in a clumsy sort of way, and a devoted friend. I certainly do not want to say that The Roommate Whom I Have Lived the Longest With possess many of the undesirable traits expressed. He does possess the aforementioned good ones, but that is not the reason that Pigsy reminds me of my friend. The simple fact of the matter is that my friend would often talk to me while I was reading Journey to the West and I would relate to him some of the stories. We would often joke that he was like Pig and I was Monkey. So now whenever I think of that Foolish Pig, I invariably connect him to my friend, and the times we spent.

That Brother Whom I Love: This was difficult for me, as there are few characters that I could pin down that truly remind me completely of That Brother Whom I Love. I thought of Gandalf, Dr. Dolittle, Eyore, Christopher Robin, Gonosuke. and many others, but none completely satisfied me. Finally it struck me just the other night in those fuzzy moments before sleep overtakes reason. C. S. Lewis’s Puddleglum from The Silver Chair practically looks and acts exactly like That Brother Whom I Love in my mind’s eye. This is probably the main reason that Puddleglum is probably my favorite character of the series (not including Aslan of course, which is simply unfair). I have oft seen my brother perform the most ridiculous capers, and put on the most cheerfully gloomy expressions possible. But more importantly both are great thinkers and exceptional Christians. I fear that I cannot really speak justice for fear of becoming overly sappy. So I will leave it at that.

My Lovably Strong Willed Sister-In-Law: My Lovably Strong Willed Sister-In-Law has always faintly reminded me of the equally lovable and strong willed Eilonwy from Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles (The Black Cauldron people, get with it). To my mind, both possess a tendency of thinking herself to be right, and has no problem of ordering and sometimes bossing others around to achieve that goal. This trait would perhaps not be quite so infuriating and lovable if both ladies also often tended to make several exceptionally good moves and were often right about the goal being a good one.

My Beloved: She whom I love so much was difficult to compare to any character. It is ironic that the more that you know someone, the more difficult it usually is to want to make comparisons. I thought of characters like Amy of The Ordinary Princess or Mina Harker for a while. I finally decided that My Beloved reminds me of Menolly from Anne McCaffrey’s Pern series. This I think is due to the generally sweet and thoughtful temperament of both. Both have a love for music and a natural modesty and shyness that keeps one from boasting or showing off. Both also tend to be peacemakers, and highly sensitive to other’s needs and emotions. On this I think I will not say too much more for fear of becoming entirely too enraptured with describing the various perfections of My Beloved, which while quite a fascinating subject to myself, my be deemed less so by others. (It is also interesting to note that this character also reminds me somewhat of my mother. We will not dwell overly much on any possible Freudian meanings to this.)

That is all for now. Rest assured that as I encounter others that remind me of literary characters or make any new connections, you will all be the first to know. Adieu.

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