Monday, May 10, 2010

Tag, I'm It

Indigo Wrath has tagged me and asked that I list seven historical or fictional characters I’d like to meet. I was a little surprised by my own lack of intellectual curiosity about historical figures until I realized that I've met a few powerful and influential people (some of them mentioned here) and have often been impressed by their ordinariness. Hence the saying, "Never meet your hero."

That said, I have assembled a mixed list of characters I wouldn't mind chatting with:  

Sam Seaborn, a smart liberal political operative who worked for our nation’s greatest president—Josiah Bartlet, on the TV show West Wing. Sam often delivered the pithy progressive pronouncements that made the show such a liberals’ delight for most of its run. And he looks like this.

Fleur Pillager, a strong and fascinating Native American character in Louise Erdrich’s Four Souls who undergoes—and brings about—several dramatic transformations. I love Erdrich’s novels, especially those portraying generations of Native American families. The narrative flows, and occasionally builds to a wonderfully understated and ironic scene in which a dozen random details come together to create a magical event that results in (often hilarious) death or destruction and a lot of poetic justice.

Elizabeth Bennet, of Pride and Prejudice. My husband and daughter love, love, love her. I’m sure I will, too, when I finally get around to reading this book that they’ve each read a dozen times.

Wm. Shakespeare, to learn about his inspiration, his writing process, and just exactly who wrote what.

Mary Cassatt, to take painting lessons and let her know that women artists eventually get some respect.

Gloria Steinem, who managed to be both charming and eloquent as she helped communicate the need for, and goals of, the Women’s Movement. Oh wait, I did meet with her, for over an hour, in 1976. While some feminists were angry and strident, she was always interested in making positive connections—a very powerful role model.If we met now, I'd ask how she assesses where we've come. (She's still alive, but she helped change history and she's who I choose, so there!)

The inventor of Scottish bagpipes, to ask for volume control. I work at a college with a Scottish name, and the pipes are featured at many events. I've come to love them, from a distance.

Tag, you're it. If the question strikes your fancy, how about writing up your own list of seven historic or fictional characters you'd like to meet? I'd be interested to know!

16 comments:

@eloh said...

I found your list interesting yet odd... by giving my own some thought... I think it would go hand in hand... would have to be odd to be interesting.

I would pick Jack the Ripper... just to know who it really was.

Cheryl said...

These were great choices. I loved your intriguing reasons. I'd like some of those questions answered myself.

grammy said...

Great list and what great reasons...
I will have to think on that one (o:
Liked your post about the lunch date...
I assume you married your date (o:

Marion Williams-Bennett said...

Oh, I love your list!

Especially Sam Seaborn! Just seeing is picture reminds me of my major adult-woman crush...

Indigo Roth said...

Hey Nancy! Nice answers. Colonel Harland Sanders of KFC fame (circa 1935) is on mine, but I'm unsure of the other six. Hagbard Celine from the Illuminatis! trology, perhaps? Hmmm... Indigo

Everyday Kathy said...

An interesting list. I would expect no less from you... I think Gloria would say she is disappointed. Heck I'm disappointed. I keep thinking the entire world will have some type of EUREKA moment on a whole host of issues but it never is that simple...

I have no time to come up with my own list at the moment but the exercise would be fun. Perhaps another time. Thanks for another thought provoking post!

Kathy over at Everyday Bliss

The mad woman behind the blog said...

I miss you Sam Seaborn....and you too Josh!
Oh hell, please bring back West Wing (we'll rewrite the constitution just for you!).

Kathy said...

I don't watch TV and can't think of any fictional characters off hand, but I would love to chat with the dalai lama.

Jeanie said...

A very interesting and eclectic list, and I loved your reasons.

Jeanie said...

A very interesting and eclectic list, and I loved your reasons.

Far Side of Fifty said...

Interesting list! Mine would be pretty boring next to yours..I do watch reruns of The West Wing early in the mornings sometimes..I did not watch it the first time around :)

Full of Nargles said...

The one about Bagpipes made me smile.. :) as the saying goes, "love me, hate me, don't ignore me!"

Green Monkey said...

ha.... that is an interesting list you compiled :) odd, entertaining and interesting.

Ms Sparrow said...

You have got me thinking about my list! It may take a while but I'll definitely do it.

Arlee Bird said...

I enjoyed this little mind exercise. You gave some interesting answers. I have my posts set up for the next several weeks, but I'm going to have to consider this for an upcoming post. Actually maybe twice: once in the music posts for the next several weeks and once for later for some non-musical people.
Inspiration for posting never ends.

Lee
May 17th FIFTEEN FANTASY ISLAND FAVORITES

Kitty Moore said...

That's a pretty cool list!

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