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The 20 Most Iconic Characters in Literature and Their Lasting Impact
These legendary literary characters aren't just figures on a page—they've defied time, shaped cultures, and haunted our collective imagination for centuries, proving that the right story can make a mere mortal immortal.
Culture Explorer
January 23, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Great characters transcend their stories. They become part of our collective consciousness, influencing everything from pop culture to our own personal values. Some characters reflect our deepest fears and desires, while others challenge us to see the world differently. Here are 20 of the most iconic literary characters and why they continue to captivate us.
Paget's illustration of Holmes and Moriarty's fatal encounter at the Reichenbach Falls in "The Final Problem" (1893)
1. Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conan Doyle)
The brilliant detective with an unmatched analytical mind and a penchant for deductive reasoning, Holmes has set the gold standard for fictional sleuths. His influence can be seen in countless crime dramas, and his cool, calculating persona still fascinates readers today.
Mr. Darcy says Elizabeth is "not handsome enough to tempt him" to dance. (Artist: C.E. Brock, 1895)
2. Elizabeth Bennet (Jane Austen)
Elizabeth's wit, intelligence, and independence in Pride and Prejudice make her one of literature's most beloved heroines. She challenged societal norms and inspired generations to seek love on their own terms.
The gravedigger scene by Eugène Delacroix (1839)
3. Hamlet (William Shakespeare)
The Prince of Denmark's existential crisis and deep introspection have made him a symbol of human uncertainty. His soliloquies still resonate with anyone questioning their place in the world.
This is a cropped version of a publicity still of actor Warner Baxter as Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby (1926) film adaptation. If this is a still frame, then it is the public domain since the film was released prior to 1927. If it is a publicity still, then it is still in the public domain since it was published prior to 1927 and published without a copyright notice.
4. Jay Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)
The embodiment of the American Dream and its pitfalls, Gatsby's relentless pursuit of an idealized love and wealth in The Great Gatsby reflects the timeless allure and tragedy of ambition.
Drawing of Huckleberry Finn with a rabbit and a gun, from the original 1884 edition of the book.
5. Huckleberry Finn (Mark Twain)
Huck’s adventurous spirit and moral growth in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn make him a symbol of freedom and personal integrity, especially in the face of societal hypocrisy.
Gregory Peck publicity photo for the film To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962
6. Atticus Finch (Harper Lee)
A beacon of morality and justice, Atticus’s unwavering integrity in To Kill a Mockingbird continues to inspire lawyers, parents, and anyone seeking to stand up for what's right.
Harry Potter character poster.
7. Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling)
The Boy Who Lived became a global phenomenon, teaching millions about friendship, bravery, and the power of love in the face of darkness.
Scrooge (right) and the Ghost of Christmas Present (left)
8. Ebenezer Scrooge (Charles Dickens)
Scrooge’s transformation from a miserly curmudgeon to a compassionate man in A Christmas Carol has become a timeless lesson in redemption and generosity.
Portrait of a Young Woman (or so called "Anna Karenina") by Aleksei Mikhailovich Kolesov, 1885, National Museum in Warsaw.
9. Anna Karenina (Leo Tolstoy)
Anna’s tragic pursuit of passion and her struggles against societal expectations in Anna Karenina make her a poignant figure of love and self-destruction.
Vlad III, more commonly known as Vlad the Impaler and the inspiration behind Dracula
10. Dracula (Bram Stoker)
The ultimate vampire, Dracula's eerie charm and monstrous nature have cemented him as a staple of horror fiction and pop culture.
Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula in the 1931 film Dracula
Hi, I'm Lisa di Antonio Gherardini Giocondo, but you probably know me as the Madonna Lisa.
For centuries, my portrait has fascinated millions. Want to know why?
— Culture Explorer (@CultureExploreX)
7:20 PM • Jan 22, 2025
11. Holden Caulfield (J.D. Salinger)
Holden’s angst and longing for authenticity in The Catcher in the Rye speak to the disillusionment of youth, making him a voice for generations of outsiders.
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings
12. Frodo Baggins (J.R.R. Tolkien)
The unlikely hero of The Lord of the Rings, Frodo’s resilience and sense of duty prove that even the smallest person can change the course of history.
Winnie-the-Pooh in an illustration by E. H. Shepard
13. Winnie the Pooh (A.A. Milne)
Pooh's simple wisdom and unwavering friendship have made him a beloved figure, teaching us that kindness and curiosity are timeless virtues.
Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara
14. Scarlett O’Hara (Margaret Mitchell)
Fierce, flawed, and determined, Scarlett’s journey in Gone with the Wind captures the complexities of survival and ambition in times of change.
The death of Fantine; Valjean (as Monsieur Madeleine) closes her eyes. Illustration by Émile Bayard.
15. Jean Valjean (Victor Hugo)
His transformation from a criminal to a man of virtue in Les Misérables is a powerful testament to redemption and the human capacity for change.
Illustration of Captain Ahab’s final chase of Moby-Dick.
16. Captain Ahab (Herman Melville)
Obsessed with revenge, Ahab's relentless pursuit of Moby Dick showcases the dangers of obsession and the struggle between man and nature.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Ivan Albright
17. Dorian Gray (Oscar Wilde)
Dorian's tragic pursuit of eternal youth and beauty in The Picture of Dorian Gray explores vanity and the consequences of moral corruption.
In 1907, the copyright on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland expired in the UK, entering the tale into the public domain. Since the story was intimately tied to the illustrations by Tenniel, new illustrated versions were then received with some significant objection by English reviewers. In 2010, artist David Revoy received the CG Choice Award for his digital painting "Alice in Wonderland".
18. Alice (Lewis Carroll)
Alice’s adventures in Wonderland challenge logic and reality, making her a symbol of curiosity and imagination that transcends generations.
Don Quixote de la Mancha and Sancho Panza, 1863, by Gustave Doré
19. Don Quixote (Miguel de Cervantes)
The delusional yet idealistic knight embodies the clash between reality and fantasy, inspiring dreamers and adventurers across centuries.
Boris Karloff in Bride of Frankenstein (1935) in a variation of the classic 1931 film version with an assist from make-up artist Jack Pierce. Karloff had gained weight since the original iteration and much of the monster's hair has been burned off to indicate having been caught in a fire. Some of the hair was gradually replaced during the course of the film to simulate it beginning to grow back.
20. Frankenstein’s Monster (Mary Shelley)
A misunderstood figure of humanity’s quest for knowledge, the Monster's tragic existence in Frankenstein questions the ethical limits of science and creation.
Each of these characters embodies universal themes—love, loss, ambition, justice, and self-discovery—that make them timeless. Their stories resonate across cultures and generations, influencing countless adaptations in film, theater, and art. They challenge us, comfort us, and reflect the deepest aspects of human nature. Their impact proves that literature continues to shape who we are and how we understand the world around us.
“The mystery of human existence lies not in just staying alive, but in finding something to live for.”
Art
Bronze statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, at the Plaza de España in Madrid. Photo by רנדום - Wikimedia, CC BY-SA 3.0.
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