In 'The Great Gatsby', Jay Gatsby is relatable in his pursuit of the American Dream. Many people have a dream or a goal that seems just out of reach, and Gatsby's desperate attempts to win Daisy's love, which is tied to his idea of achieving that dream, mirror the feelings of longing and striving that many can empathize with. His loneliness despite his wealth also makes him relatable as it shows that material things don't always bring happiness.
Characters like Scout in the same 'To Kill a Mockingbird' are relatable because of their innocence and the way they view the world. Scout is curious, and as she grows and witnesses the unfairness around her, her confusion and attempts to understand are things that readers can recognize in their own experiences of growing up and seeing the harsher sides of life.
One factor is their struggle for survival. In dystopian novels, like in 'The Hunger Games', Katniss has to fight in a brutal game just to stay alive. This primal need to survive in a harsh world is something many can relate to. Also, their resistance against oppression. For instance, Winston in '1984' rebels against the all - controlling Party in his own small ways, which mirrors people's real - life fight against unfair systems.
Lizzie Bennet from 'Pride and Prejudice' is highly relatable. She has to deal with family pressures, social expectations, and her own pride. Her journey in finding true love while staying true to herself is something that many readers, especially women, can understand.
Their common human experiences make characters in realistic fiction relatable. For example, experiencing love, loss, or friendship. We've all had moments of falling in love or losing someone we care about, so when a character goes through these, we can connect with them on an emotional level.
Well, it could be that despite their oddities, they have common emotions and struggles like everyone else. Maybe they face fear, love, or self-doubt in a way that we recognize and empathize with.
Another aspect that makes fictional characters the best is their impact on readers. For example, Jane Eyre from Charlotte Bronte's novel. Jane is a strong - willed and independent woman. She challenges the social norms of her time, and her story of love, self - discovery, and standing up for herself has inspired generations of readers. Her character shows that even in difficult circumstances, one can have dignity and strive for a better life.
One key factor is their strong logical reasoning. For instance, like I mentioned before, Sherlock Holmes can piece together the most complex of crimes through pure logic. Another aspect is their independence. Characters like Luna Lovegood don't rely on others' opinions and do their own thing. They have a thirst for knowledge too. They are always exploring new ideas and concepts, not content with the status quo. This is seen in many characters that could be considered INTP. They are not swayed easily by emotions when making decisions but rather by facts and their own internal analysis.
The way they interact with other characters also matters. A leftist character in a novel might be the one who tries to organize the downtrodden characters to stand up for their rights. They might be the ones who initiate discussions about how to change the unjust system in the story. For instance, in novels set during times of social unrest, the character who rallies the poor or the oppressed to fight for better living conditions and equal opportunities is likely to be seen as a leftist figure.
Some characters like Yertle the Turtle are great because they teach important lessons. Yertle is a power - hungry turtle who wants to be on top of everyone else. His downfall shows the negative side of excessive ambition. These moral lessons wrapped up in such fun and creative characters are what make them the best.
Well, in many cases, it's their ability to adapt. Take Han Solo from 'Star Wars' for example. He's a smuggler who gets thrown into a galactic war. He has to quickly adapt to working with the Rebellion, new technologies, and different alien species. His charm and roguishness also make him stand out.
A sense of internal conflict is key. In 'The Picture of Dorian Gray', Dorian Gray is an anti - hero. He's a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. He indulges in all kinds of immoral behaviors while his portrait ages and reflects his true, corrupted self. His struggle between his hedonistic desires and the faint glimmer of his former self - the self that could have been good - is what makes him a great anti - hero. He's not a hero in the typical sense, but his inner turmoil is captivating.