Least Favorite Austen Hero

[Nicole D.]

Who's your least favorite Austen Hero?

Mine's Mr.Knightley.
Edward Farrers is also not a great favorite of mine.

[Rachel, The Honorable Miss Moderator]

Mine is Edmund Bertram. Though his failing--being captivated by an attractive and flirtatious but ultimately toxic woman--is a common one among males, he still didn't really do anything for me.

[Beebs]

Mine would have to be Edmund Bertram.

[Margaret]

It will cause an uproar, but Colonel Brandon is the one that least appeals to me.

I had to edit to add that I love all the Austen men for one reason or another -- Colonel Brandon is just at the bottom of my list.

[[deleted user]]

I have to go with Edmund Bertram also. Can't exactly put my finger on why - but it is definitely him.

Great topic Nicole!

[Maggie]

I agree with Margaret, Colonel Brandon is my least favorite hero. But, Edmund Bertram is definitely up there as well.

[Patricia]

Edmund Bertram is my least favorite. And I must say, Sir Edward Denham of Sanditon wasn't shaping up to be much either.

[[deleted user]]

My least favorite hero would definitely be Colonel Brandon,followed by Edmund. I think I don't enjoy Mr. Bertram because he is attached to Miss Crawford while Fanny is so constant.

[J.]

I would have to say Mr. Knightley.

[Gayla]

Definitely Edmund, because he is such a prig, but I always thought that the relationship between Mr. Knightley and Emma was a little bit creepy.

[Patricia]

Gayla said:the relationship between Mr. Knightley and Emma was a little bit creepy. >>>

Yes, but it was such a different time, and me liked their women very young and naive. Today it would be a creep out. OTOH, today Fanny Price would be considered a victim of child abuse and a major bore.
Patg

[Leann]

I love how no one has the guts to insult THE Mr. Darcy... you know there has to be some one who hates him. It isn't me, unfortunately, I have to agree with the majority, can't bloody stand Edmund. How DARE he let Crawford ride Fanny's horse! I mean seriously, oggle her goods all you want, but horse infidelity is strictly forbidden.

I'm trying to think of my choices here, we have Knightley, Darcy, Bertram, Ferrars/Brandon, Wentworth, and I have not read Northanger Abby nor have I seen a movie of it, so I can't comment on that one.

I'm gonna have to go with Ferrars, but my next choice would definitely have been Edmund.

And I have to agree with one on here from someone else: I do love all of Austen men... even the bad ones. Henry Crawford, I accept!

[Patty]

Mr. Darcy. Hands down. Hahaha only joking.... :) I concur with the majority: Edmund for sure.

[Mimi]

So many people list Edmund Bertram as their least favorite so I'm going to come to his defense. To defend Edmund, I need to tread on Darcy first.

I once read on Schmoop about what makes Pride and Prejudice different/better than modern day romantic comedies. Modern romantic comedy characters are perfect for each other but just need to get passed some social contrivance to get together. Darcy and Elizabeth are flawed characters that need to change and grow in some way before they are right for each other.

This parallels Edmund's growth, too. He can't admit Fanny is the right one for him until he realizes that the one that would seem to please his family (has all the right things checked off on the list...beautiful, good family...accomplished...), is really wrong. Edmund needs to grow and change to realize she's so right. If he hadn't fallen for Mary Crawford he wouldn't have the same deep love for Fanny he later does. Sure, he loves and appreciates her from the beginning but not the deep love he has at the end of the novel.

Maybe not the best character, but hopefully more understandable.

As for my least favorite...I honestly can't say. I'll get back to you.

[Mimi]

Jamie wrote: "...I once read on Schmoop about what makes Pride and..."

I forgot to include the web link. Schmoop is like Cliff Notes, by PhD students. They provide interesting interpretation to lots of important novels. Scroll down the page to "Why Should I Care."

http://www.shmoop.com/pride-and-preju...

[Sandi]

Definitely Edward Ferrars. He just didn't seem to have any liveliness about him. He'd be a bore in real life.

Second place goes to Willoughby---he's both a wastrel and a rake.

[Sophie]

Least fav Austen hero would have to be ...
Edmund Bertram or Edward Ferrars (for me, Brandon is the main man in S&S!)

[Nicole D.]

So far the most disliked heros seem to be Edmund Bertram and Edward Ferrars.I can't agree with Edmund but I totally agree with everyone about Edward.

[Sophie]

haha what do you find appealing about Edmund?
im not saying i hate them, they are just bottom of my list of the 8 hero's :) well i think there are 8 :) xx

[Nicole D.]

I like Edmund because his kindness to Fanny and his high moral code.I also don't hate any Austen heroes.

[Sophie]

Well yeah I see that :) and all her hero's are good in their own way but some are just better then others :) xx