Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’ve all had a very warm and enjoyable holiday with your friends and family. I’ve been rather busy for the holidays and I do apologize for not posting but there are some rather major changes arriving just in time for this year.
I thought taking a look at 5 different characters from various media that had an interesting impact on me over the last year might help with building character for the new year. I’d be curious about what other people think but for me, these characters are from releases in 2007 or 2008. I tried to keep it to 2008 but I admit I strayed into 2007 a bit. School and textbooks — ‘nuf said.
M-O (aka. Microbe Obliterator) from Wall-E
This little guy makes a huge impact. His persistence (some like to refer to it as obsessive compulsiveness) and slightly bigger picture understanding allows him to realize that he can step off those grid lines (unlike all the other robots) so that he can track Wall-E down and clean him up! Along the way, he inadvertently saves the main characters and thus, the humans too! Way to go M-O!
Cassandra Devine from Boomsday
A 28-year old “communications strategist” and blogger looks to igniting some “discussion” on social security reform in the United States and inadvertently inspires Generation “Whatever” to take action against the increasing tax hikes by the government in order to aid the Baby Boomer generation retire. Cassandra Devine has the guts and wits to stand firm with her beliefs, and continue to push incentives to “transitioning” (aka. euthanasia) for the generation before her — while everyone else continues to change their tune and tone. I’ve got to say that while this is pure political satire — she stands tall as a great character for any generation, especially the one generation that people like to refer to as the Millenials, who have got so much more future ahead of them.
M1k3y from Little Brother
Being involved with web analytics, marketing, and lots and lots of data — I am keenly aware of the amount of data that is acquired by the government, businesses, and the many many databases around the world. M1k3y isn’t necessarily about that, but rather about a teenager who is willing to defy what the general public as well as powerful government officials regard as security (which scares people rather than helps) to fight for the right to genuine privacy and freedom — defining who has the right to use our data for what purposes.
Nue from Karas
A rather tragic character. Nue is what is referred to as a fiend or demon in a city where demons and humans have co-existed in harmony over time. Unfortunately, humans have forgotten all about the demons and a plot has arisen (thanks to a city’s protector that has turned himself into a Tyrant) amongst the demons to overthrow the city. Nue represents the idealism of what should be. He realizes only too late, the dangers of combining idealism with sudden change, and that he’s been taken advantage of. Nue of course now realizing that demons actually need humans to survive, begins to fight back, even against other demons. This guy doesn’t do too well — especially since he keeps forgetting to reload his guns, but nevertheless, he saves a few people, demons, and the main character as well on different occasions.
The Joker from The Dark Knight
Yes, he’s not actually someone to aspire to — but he does make a lasting impression on everyone. The character is interesting because he forces everyone around him to question their identity, their beliefs, and their actions, including Batman himself. Despite this somewhat positive outcome that can lead to greater self actualization … I shudder at the thought of The Joker. He represents pure chaos. What can we learn from that? Well, we learn from staring at chaos who we really are and who we can become pending various circumstances.
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So … who’s on your list?
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Little Brother is on my Y/A reading list
What an interesting group of characters. I can see their appeal. Of the ones you listed, I’d have to say I really identify with M1k3y. While I had a few issues with the novel (it was a bit didactic in places and might have functioned better as one part story, one part handbook – in fact, he should have published a “handbook” separately with real tools/services listed like TOR). But M1k3y represents a spirit of freedom, inquisitiveness, critical mindedness and dissent that seems largely absent in youth culture today. In fact, I’d go so far as to say there seems to be a general absence of dissent among this current generation. The hipster thing seems more prominent – a culture of emptiness, cool and consumerism (however faux indy and “street” it’s packaged). Another great novel you should check out is MT Anderson’s Feed – it’s along the lines of Little Brother but deals with another set of issues. It’s first person unreliable. you’d love it. It’s the best YA novel I’ve read in *years*!
As a teacher who is currently in the process of transitioning from teaching college aged students to secondary students, I’m keenly aware of the need for characters that are relevant to today’s young people. They have a very different and unique set of challenges than any other generation – along with all the usual stuff. I’ve been meaning to write something about YA novels in my own blog and this reminds me that I should
As for characters that inspire *me*, mine are largely from real life
That’s a really insightful comment Melanie. It’ll give me something to ponder about over the next while
I do agree that the hipster thing does seem prominent but at the same time, I have a sense that youth culture today is gravitating towards function — or rather … how does such and such benefit me?
Thanks for pointing out MT Anderson’s Feed — I will definitely check that out over the next while.
These aren’t really characters that inspire me … those tend to be slightly different and they are like catalysts that energize me to take action. The characters I listed out here are more so ones that cause me to ponder about various issues or ideas