Plain Jane

Have you ever noticed the rut of "hero-ism" that many authors fall into?  In quite a few of the books I've read, so many of the protagonists are irreproachably perfect.  You just KNOW that they will never make the wrong choice, that they will never make empty assumptions, and they will never be messily disheveled mentally or physically.  Reading books like these, or watching movies with these perfect characters can reeeeeally get on my nerves because they aren't real!  They are not believable or even loveable characters because they are so, shall we say? nauseatingly perfect.

For example, (this was the first character that popped into my head) take Indiana Jones.  I've only seen the first movie, so forgive me if I make some premature assumptions here.  He is the epitome of hero.  The viewer knows that he will not fail the quest either mentally or physically.  His perfect physique and daring feats lures his captive audience into blind hero worship.  I did find the movie very enjoyable, but I prefer characters who go through the same struggles and temptations that I do, characters who could very well be real, honest to goodness people in everyday life.  At this point, I would like to applaud Miss Jane Austen for creating just such characters.

Take Elizabeth Bennet.  She doesn't have any particular talents (she's only a mediocre pianist), she isn't the most gorgeous girl on the block (Darcy says she is only tolerable), and she makes a huge mistake when she rashly judges both Wickham and Darcy's personalities.  What Jane Austen has done in Elizabeth Bennet is create a character who goes through the same struggles as women do in real life.

Elizabeth's foil is her sister Jane.  Jane Bennet is the "perfect" woman.  She is sweet, unassuming, and beautiful.  Perfect as she is, notice how she is not the main character.  Her purpose is to shine light on Elizabeth and to further enhance her "real-ness."  Jane never does anything wrong, yet she isn't terribly loveable.  Elizabeth, on the other hand, as she spunkily accuses handsome rich men of pride, crushes on a charming yet slimy lady's man, and blunderingly enters high society, is as loveable as a best friend would be.

Jane Austen, through her colorful characters, has forever placed herself in the authors' hall of fame.  It isn't for no reason that the U.K. is printing a 10 pound note with her image on it.  Jane has told the world that being real is beautiful, that plain is perfect.