Character Thursday: Wanderer from The Host

Okay I mentioned in my book review of The Host about the movie that was coming out on this book.  And with that movie coming out tomorrow, I have had The Host on the brain.  So I thought I would do a Character Thursday about my favorite character from the book--Wanderer.  I actually had originally thought about doing Wanderer/Mel because I love their relationship--that is what really made the book for me.  But if you really read the book-they are two different characters, so maybe a different day.

Okay first of all a little bit of background for people who haven't read the book in a while/seen the movie preview/etc.  Wanderer is also known by her nickname Wanda, but she is the alien species that takes over Mel's human body--the host.  As a result, Wanda doesn't view the humans as we do, she views them as a species that has their own problems as the other species she has been with.

My favorite thing about Wanderer is her ability to think out of the box.  A lot of times in our current society, people stick with their original opinion.  They are not willing to put themselves in the other person's shoes.  Wanderer literally does put herself in the human shoes by being a parasite, but with Mel still there and around Wanda learns from Mel andWanda really starts to change her mind about what to do.  This gets even better with how much we learn that Wanderer is a very smart "person".  She serves as the equivalent to a college professor and tells lots of stories of her previous "lives".  We often see the more educated as less likely to change their minds...but I think it speaks volumes to her character.

What will be interesting is how she will be portrayed in the movie....and how they will show this change?

P.S. A sequel is for sure in our future...I wonder when http://www.hypable.com/2013/02/21/stephenie-meyer-reveals-what-she-is-writing-next/

If you see this...let me know I want to know what you think!

Character Thursday: Sydney Carton

 

In honor of Celebrating Dickens, I thought that I would do my first Character Thursday link-up with Fanda.  I mentioned previously that I love A Tale of Two Cities.  I have taught it and read it often. My favorite character in the book is Sydney Carton. I thought he was appropriate to talk about with this being Valentine's Day and all.

When the book opens, Sydney seems a lot like what we would affectionately call a nerd.  He is very smart, but not socially confident in himself.  He doesn't put himself in the spotlight and just prefers to stay in the background. We first meet him when he is defending Charles Darney, and they look very similar to each other--which actually helps them win the case.  

Carton seems to change as he falls in love with Lucie Manette.  He was a very selfish, self-pity kind of guy.  But in telling Lucie of his feelings for her--he really opens up and tells her that he would do anything for her or those that she loves.  That chance comes as Darney is accused again and faces death.  Sydney convinces Darney to change places with him so that it is not Charles that is killed.  As Charles escapes to be with Lucie, Carton is beheaded at the guillotine.

I love Sydney Carton as a character, because he is so willing to sacrifice.  Love really changes him and it shows us that even some people can surprise us in life. A great lesson on a Valentine's Day like this.