Everyone can find hope in fictional characters. Whether you’re reading a fantastic science fiction, watching an epic fantasy, or rewatching a childhood classic, sometimes, wonderful characters provide a semblance of relief from the everyday struggles in the real world. As a parent, finding hope in storytelling also presents opportunities for our kids to experience similar joy from the bonds created with impactful heroes.
What does a character have to do to inspire hope? That question is for you to answer. A character can say a line that resonates to your core. Perhaps you’re in need of something funny to make you realize that it’s okay to laugh. Maybe you just need to watch someone not back down to evil forces at work and kick some serious ass. Yes, all of these things are important – and that means as our kids get older, they will hopefully find comfort in fictional stories that they gravitate towards.
The point (I think): Letting your kids know the characters you love will (possibly) inspire them to share the characters or scenes they love. And, like my kids still do with me, it provides multiple clips they show me throughout the week. This is genuinely important (to me), as both my kids (ages 10 and 12) are doing more things on their own without their mom and dad.
So, what characters are great for anyone to root for? Let’s dive in!
For Those Who Stand Up & Fight
Character: Wade Watts (a.k.a. Parzival
)
Book: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Published: 2011
What would you say if you lived in a world wrecked by climate destruction, mass poverty, rolling blackouts, and the only comfort came from an online platform? Wait. Too close to home? Well, Wade Watts, like millions of others, adores the OASIS, a virtual world where people can escape the drags of life. It’s also an outlet for kids to attend school from the safety of their homes.
When the creator of the platform died, he left his inheritance to whomever discovered a hidden “Easter egg” within the OASIS. Despite the desire to have their lives completely altered with an excessively large sum of money, there are others from mega corporations who would turn a fairly inexpensive or free service into a monthly fee and make the OASIS inaccessible to many people who wouldn’t be able to afford it.
So, what is Wade Watts to do? He goes on an adventure that involves risking his own life, and the lives of a few friends, as they try to navigate a daunting task where corporate greed seemingly has every advantage over them. Is Ready Player One worth reading? If you love the idea of seeing corrupt business moguls taken down a peg or two, yes, it is totally worth it.
Character: Atreyu
Played by: Noah Hathaway
Movie: The Neverending Story
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Released: 1984
Fantasia is being consumed by “The Nothing,” so a great hero is sent to stop it. Atreyu must find a way to navigate treacherous lands, while avoiding dangerous obstacles and creatures. Not only does he face devastating sadness through loss, he comes face to face with the likes of Gmork, an evil wolf-creature who has one mission: to seek and destroy the hero who plans to stop The Nothing.
Atreyu’s path is not for the faint of heart. The fate of the world is on his shoulders, but he doesn’t back down from that responsibility. He risks his life on countless occasions despite not fully knowing how to best the ultimate villain. In spite of the risks, the uncertainty, Atreyu doesn’t stop from doing what he knows to be right. He pushes forward and sets out to save the world or die trying.
Character: Erica Slaughter
Series: Something Is Killing the Children, Volume 1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Werther Dell’Edera
Colorist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Andworld Design
Published: 2020
Imagine invisible creatures wandering through the night, preying on unsuspecting children – and then devouring them. What is one to do? In comes Erica Slaughter, a monster hunter who will risk fatal injuries at every turn as these scary, dangerous creatures lurk in the shadows. Although this story isn’t intended for a younger audience, the parent in me wants my kids to see this incredible female character standing tall in the face of horrifying monsters.
Much like Ellen Ripley and Sarah Connor before her, Erica uses her intelligence, tenacity, and an uncanny ability to take down something monstrous against all odds. Something Is Killing the Children has several thrilling volumes to satisfy your taste for exhilarating stories, while also highlighting how imperfect Erica’s “place of employment” is and how threatening it can be to her own health.
For Those Who Believe in Something Greater
Character: Morpheus
Played by: Laurence Fishburne
Movie: The Matrix
Directors: Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski
Released: 1999
Morpheus believes in a dream where someone comes to save the world from the machines. His unwavering confidence in Neo means he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep his savior from harm’s way. This means he’s willing to take great chances to rescue Neo from the Matrix, while then providing him with the reality of the world and then giving him the resources to train.
Watching Laurence Fishburne, and listening to his voice, provides a certainty that he is right about everything. And what he believes gives a sense of hope to those around him and to the audience watching him onscreen. Even in the face of agents, Morpheus doesn’t hesitate to stand in their way to keep Neo safe. On top of that, he’s able to withstand grueling torture to prevent the enemy from gaining highly guarded secrets.
Morpheus is the hope Neo (and we) needed.
Character: Commander William Adama
Played by: Edward James Olmos
TV Mini Series: Battlestar Galactica
Released: 2003
The incredible four-season run of Battlestar Galactica (’04) was set in motion by the wonderful mini series that aired a year earlier. Commander William Adama takes charge of a derelict ship, which had been turned into a museum, after the Cylons invade. The attack is widespread and devastating. The human race is nearly extinguished, but Adama leads a fleet of various vessels away from the fight.
The mini series presents a devastating approach to annihilation, because appearances do not matter. The Cylons can look like anyone, so it takes the highest caution to save what’s left of the human race, while also realizing those closest to them could ultimately be working against them. Adama’s leadership inspires confidence and he ensures those who have survived that they will live to see another day, while making sure everyone remembers the sacrifices made before them.
Battlestar Galactica presents dire circumstances while giving viewers a person to look up to and provide the notion that everything will be okay, somehow.
Character: President Laura Roslin
Played by: Mary McDonnell
TV Show: Battlestar Galactica
Released: 2004 – 2009
It seems hard to mention Adama without Roslin. From a smaller political figure to the President of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, Laura Roslin believes in fate and the gods. Her leadership endures public backlash, smear campaigns, and several other serious encounters that highlight how tough she is, while demanding whatever it takes to help the remaining survivors succeed in their attempts to find a new home.
One of her most intense, inspirational moments comes in the form of Season 4, Episode 14, “Blood on the Scales,” where she must survive and counter a coup of Galactica. Worthy of all the goosebumps you will feel during her speech, it comes on the backend of a longstanding relationship built within four seasons of excellent television. Yes, it’s highly recommended to watch the mini series and then go into all four seasons, so you can take in this Season 4 moment where everything is at stake.
If you need any other words of encouragement to know how impactful this moment is after getting through most of the series, all that needs to be said is, “I swear it!”
Great Moments Where the Action Inspires Hope
Character: Aragorn (a.k.a. Strider)
Played by: Viggo Mortenson
Movie: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Director: Peter Jackson
Released: 2001
There is a scene in Fellowship of the Ring where true heroism is on display; it always encapsulates goodwill and surprises with each watch. Aragorn closes Frodo’s hand so he can remain in control of the ring, and utters, “I would have gone with you to the end, into the very fires of Mordor.” After Frodo asks him to look after the others, Aragorn notices Frodo’s sword has turned blue, indicating the enemy is near. Without hesitation, he tells Frodo to run, turns, and walks out into an open field where he alone faces an army.
Aragorn raises his sword as he walks towards an onslaught of Orcs rushing towards him. His ability to stand tall and fight against such an opposing number of attackers is mind-blowing. What also inspires hope is seeing Legolas and Gimli race in to help him against the army. Their efforts help Aragorn break free so he can ensure Frodo’s escape. The scene is filmed and executed marvelously – and one that leads one to believe they can do anything, even in the face of great obstacles.
Character: Lee “Apollo” Adama
Played by: Jamie Bamber
TV Show: Battlestar Galactica
Episode: “Exodus: Part 2”
Released: October 20, 2006
Yes, there are a few entries for Battlestar Galactica. Perhaps it’s the overwhelming odds facing the Galactica crew that resonates right now. They are constantly fighting for survival, while a seemingly hopeless fight presents these small or big moments where hope seems like the only thing to hold onto. Again, if you watch this series from the beginning, “Exodus: Part 2” has one of the most monumental moments in all of television.
No words can accurately describe the feeling you get inside when watching such a sequence of events play out. Viewers watch as the idea of hope is seemingly vanquished for the entire crew. It’s a scene when you might wonder, “I can’t believe this is it. This is the end.” When all seems lost, and such beloved characters seem destined for death, that’s when Apollo makes a single decision to turn that feeling around. If you have not watched it, watch it!
If you’re not invested in Battlestar Galactica, but would want a single episode to watch, “Exodus: Part 2” is the one to watch.
Share What Fictional Characters Give You Hope
I also recently wrote about The Hunger Games, a book and film series near and dear to my heart, so please feel free to check out some geeky parent lessons or how the book provides a spark of hope.
Do you have TV shows, movies, books, comics, or audio dramas that provide you with hope? Are there characters who you love to watch or read about who help fill that void when hopelessness feels overwhelming? Please share your hope online. Reach out to me over on Bluesky and let’s share (post/quote post) the things that help lift us up when we feel down.
Should there be a hashtag? Sure – let’s use #ShareYourHope and find a GIF or just write about a character or scene that fills you with hope. If you need a starting point, start here with my Bluesky post.
Until next time, happy parenting and happy geeking.
