Who's Your Favorite Austen Hero/Heroine? And Why?

Pick a favorite child? Banish the thought! <G> But if I must choose, I choose Anne Elliot. She allowed others' opinions to persuade her against following her heart but given a second chance, she goes after the future that could have been and succeeds in her goal. She is kind and generous to her querulous family. She does not allow them to run her life a second time. She is smart enough to ask the second questions about William Elliot and to encourage Captain Wentworth just enough so that he could proclaim: " You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope."

On this Valentine's Day Eve...........sigh.

I agree with Janice. Anne Elliot is brave, strong, and kind. Oh, and so eloquent.

I also really enjoy Emma. In my opinion, she’s a shoe-in for most improved player. She makes some pretty large errors, but she’s such a delight, and she learns from her mistakes.

I've learned to appreciate EMMA much more with reading it over a few times. The genius of Austen...breath taking in her abilities. She shone brightly while here but oh, that we might have had a bit more. <G>

While I think it easy to say Elizabeth Bennet for her spunk and strong-willed individuality, Anne Elliot's unwavering love (in the face of such adversity) really calls to me hopeless-romantic heartstrings.

But alas, if I'm really honest, I'd say it's Captain Frederick Wentworth. He is the epitome of a gentleman in his good manners, he's well-respected by all that know him for his bravery and good sense, and he's able to overcome pride to admit that he never stopped loving Anne...but not without first offering some entertaining struggles during that transformation.

What can I say, I love a good "boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back" story.