Tonks
Here’s how I feel about Tonks: I want to be her. Sometimes I pretend I am her. I do weird things with my hair color, I walk with a certain self-confidence I might not feel at that particular moment, I might even say things like, “Wotcher, Harry!” if only I knew what that meant. Is it like, “What’s up?”
I saw Order of the Phoenix this weekend (no worries, there won’t be any spoilers), and even though I already started re-reading book 6, I was so happy to see Tonks in that movie, I had to go back to book 5 and read it just for her. Well, for her and for Luna, because that girl was perfectly cast in the movie, and it made me remember what a great character she is, and I needed to go back to the source on that one, too.
But let’s talk about Tonks and why she’s the best. She’s funny. And happy. And carefree and bold. She’s the kind of woman you’d love to have for an aunt or an older sister, don’t you think? Or as part of your rebel battalion, because she’d break up the mood and in the next moment go kick some serious a**.
I admit that I’m a little fickle about all the characters I want to be when I grow up, but Tonks is always going to have a spot in the top five. Along with Xena, Scully, Meryl Streep in River Wild, and Michelle Yeoh in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
So in honor of our Harry-headed selves in these last few days between movie and final book, I’d like to hear your thoughts on your favorite characters and which ones you wish you could be (or pretend that you already are sometimes when you’re grocery shopping or giving a public presentation. Not that I do that).
And I’m also always open to hearing your top five characters you want to grow up to be. If I were a man, number one would be Aragorn from Lord of the Rings–obviously. Number two, Daniel Craig as 007. Fox Mulder. Eko and Jack from Lost. Wait a minute, that’s my pretend boyfriend list . . .
Technorati Tags: Tonks, Characters We Want To Grow Up To Be (Or Date)
July 16th, 2007 at 6:57 am
I agree that Tonks is awesome(and they did cast Luna very well in the movie) but if I was going to be a HP character,my picks would be either Hermione or Professor McGonagall(who I dressed up as one Halloween). Both of them are smart,tough and very forthright when necessary.
As for Top Five Characters To Grow Up To Be,
5)Willow from BTVS
4)Anne Elliot from Jane Austen’s Persuasion
3)The Bride from Kill Bill
2)Wonder Woman
1)Jo March from Little Women
July 16th, 2007 at 7:36 am
I am an “old” Louisa May Alcott fan so Jo March would head my list. I really like Professor McGonagall also.
May I point out that the two lists have either fictional characters or movie stars. Where are the real women on the lists? Obviously I haven’t had enough coffee or I would have realized that we were talking about characters but still who do we want to be when we grow up-real or made-up characters?
July 16th, 2007 at 7:42 am
Oh, this is one of those questions that is too hard, that would take me days to answer. For now, I’d say: I’d currently like to be Skulduggery Pleasant and be able to snap my fingers and throw fire at people who, I dunno, cut me off in traffic.
Hoo-hah!
July 16th, 2007 at 8:06 am
Lady T, nice list! I forgot about The Bride–that’s some serious toughness to bring to the table. Good choice. And then the surprising contrast of Anne from Persuasion! You are very well-rounded.
Readerdiane, um, I kind of want to be made-up characters. I figure the real-life women are already taken–Oprah is already Oprah–so my best shot is with the fictional ones. But perhaps I am being hopelessly immature (or haven’t had enough coffee yet, either).
Jules, I need to read that book! But not until after all these HPs! Sounds like a great skill to have, that fire-throwing.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:07 am
jules, you have me chuckling and thinking, “Don’t cut Jules off in traffic…oh wait, we live in different areas. Don’t make jules mad at the kidlit conference!”
My favorite HP characters — female — are Hermoine, Prof. McGonagal, and Tonks. Although, truth be told, I’m very much like Mrs. Weasley…I’m the caretaker in our group of friends/family. Always the one calling and saying, “So-and-so is having a hard time. Call him this afternoon.”
My favorite male HP character is Dumbledore. I know that’s an obvious one, but look at how much he cares about his school and his students. AND he’s a kickass wizard! That’s who I want to be when I grow up!
July 16th, 2007 at 8:08 am
Oh, and Robin, I agree…Luna was PERFECTLY cast! HP5 was my favorite movie of the series so far. All the characters did a great job and they were all pretty well cast. It was like my imagination came to life and showed me the book!
July 16th, 2007 at 9:04 am
Beth, no worries. I’m not really that gruff, nor can I throw fire (yet).
July 16th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Lucy, from Narnia. And she grew up well, too.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:23 am
1. Dread Pirate Roberts
I’m on vacation and do not have to think of anymore beyond that.
July 16th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Tonks was always my favorite girl character, too, but then, I’ve had a crush on Remus Lupin since I was in college and first read POA.
As for fictional characters I want to be, It’s always pretty much been a toss up between Princess Leia, Anne Shirley (Blythe) and Reepicheep the Mouse.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Beth, Hermoine and Professor McGonagall are superb, of course. That’s the only problem with having to list just the top five.
Sara, you can be Lucy. You called it.
Patrick, YES!!! I can totally see that! Hope you’ll wear the black mask to my book launch.
Diana, I heart Lupin, too. He’s so kind and wise and modest and brave. And I love how he’s played by that actor who was in Seven Years in Tibet. I didn’t realize it was the same guy until I watched that again a few weeks ago. He specializes in being the kind, reasonable one.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:34 pm
As you wish
July 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
I love Tonks too! I just dyed my hair bright pink this week but I really didn’t think about the Tonks connection while I was deciding to do it — only when rereading Half Blood Prince the other day. So, friday when I go to my local indie’s Potter party, I can pretend to be in costume!
July 16th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Laini, your pink hair beats my redlights. If we’re ever at a Harry Potter party together, you get to be Tonks.
Patrick, how is it that I’m always your straight man without even realizing it?
July 16th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Could it be that I am a Space Lord?
July 16th, 2007 at 7:31 pm
like patrick, i too have been on vacation. must say i’m a full-on jo march (the june allyson version) wannabe if i’m “girl limited”–always hated being “girl limited” and somewhat ashamed at the hatred part of it.
off topic, or maybe not. spent the last week attending a can-am para-swim meet in vancouver, b.c.. in this particular meet, swimmers from 9 countries, of which 6 were national teams, were posting times leading to the 2008 bejing olympics. why? my 17 year old niece who lost all use of her right dominant) arm 8 yrs ago as a result of a fall from a horse. she was a competitive swimmer before her arm was paralyzed and still is.
several months ago she was accepted as a member of the u.s. national team and this fall will move to the colo.springs olympic training center where she will complete her sr. year of high school, very far from her family but doing exactly what she is hard wired to do. last month she competed in london, next month she will compete in rio de janero. all working toward the para-olympic qualifications in march.
if anyone is interested in experiencing sheer, primordial athleticism, this is it. i’m not talking “courage”, “heart” or any of that other dismissive, dehumanizing bulls**t. i’m talking pure, raw, competitive, brute, physical athleticism–absolutely unbelievable.
trying not to put too much pressure on our niece we just told her that we had already purchased or unbelievably expensive china airline tickets, so if she doesn’t come through, we’re f***ed. she took it all in stride, like all world class athletes who have to suffer their idiotic family, with a giggle, grin and “whatever” shrug.
no need for “pretend” heroes here.
July 16th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Annette, what a fabulous story! Your niece is definitely one of the warrior women. Thanks a lot for sharing all these details. I’ve never known anyone before who knows someone training for the Olympics. I love hearing the details!
July 17th, 2007 at 7:07 am
I’ve been lurking for awhile but never posted. Now I feel compelled. I’d have to be Mrs. Weasley - she’s dramatic, emotional, hysterical, and loves fiercely. She’s so tough on her friends and family - expects so much from them - but it’s only because she loves them so much. She has a heart of gold, and she is truly the mother figure for all the characters in HP.
As for the characters I want to be when I grow up, here’s my list (which changes on a daily basis):
1. Anne Shirley
2. Eowyn from “LOTR”
3. Amelie of the movie, “Amelie”
4. Princess Leia (kids of the 80’s unite!)
5. Bella of “Twilight” and “New Moon” (I don’t really want to BE her…I just desperately want to be Edward’s girlfriend!)
July 17th, 2007 at 7:41 am
Laura, I’m glad this topic finally caused you to de-lurk!
Eowyn is certainly in my top 10. I forgot about Amelie–she’s so wonderful! The rest of your list is stellar.
So stop being so shy, and come play with us more often!
July 17th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Tonks is wonderful! I’d love to be like her, though she’s light years cooler than anyone I’d even dare to aspire to be.
Scully is much closer. Analytical, but a believer at heart.
Hobbes from the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, because he’s incredibly smart, happy-go-lucky, and funny as hell.
The Book Thief’s foster father, whose name I don’t remember off-hand. He was a spectacular character, and so full of love.
Kyra Sedgwick’s character in The Closer. Again, brain fade on her name, but she’s incredibly cool.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:25 pm
Brenda! That’s her name!
July 17th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Nancy: My husband and I are big fans of The Closer. Wasn’t the opening episode for this season (without commercials!)great?
Oh, and if you would share, I’d like to be Hobbes, too.
And Eilonwy, from the Prydain Chronicles.
Lucy from Narnia, Hobbes, and Eilonwy. What does that say about me? They’re all quite determined to be themselves. I think that’s it.
July 17th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Sara, Hobbes is a tiger of the masses. I happily share him.
July 17th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Nancy, you and I can share Scully, too. But not Mulder–he’s mine.
July 18th, 2007 at 6:39 am
I really only have one character I’ve ever wanted to be– Alice. But that could be why I’ve landed in Web Design since it’s puzzle solving, logic, and creativity all wrapped up in one. So maybe I’m a 21st century Alice, stepping through the 21st century looking glass represented by my computer screen. And singing wondrous songs and poems while I’m doing what I do. Twas brillig, and the slithy toves . . .
July 19th, 2007 at 7:48 am
Hey BJ, back up off my work in progress, LOL!
My list would include Scully, Elizabeth Bennett from P&P (hmm, first I type “Slizabeth”, who would definitely be in Slytherin), Dagny Taggart (I love trains), and from the Harry Potter world, Professor McGonagall.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:22 am
Totally, OT, but, as I’ve said, I’ve missed your blog, Robin!
I read Tonks as gay until the end of book six and I wish she actually were. I don’t want to spoil here, but I don’t like what happened to her in Book 7 and I NEVER bought her Lupin obsession. I mean Lupin is cool and all, but why out of the blue? I didn’t think JK justified it.
I also read Sirius as gay. Still do.
My top female character? Hermione. I almost feel sorry for my child self that I didn’t have Hermione growing up. I understand everyone’s love for Jo Marsh, but I don’t share it. I hate how she submits to the Professor’s criticisms of her writings. Hate it.
July 24th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Kelly, I’ve missed you, too! Glad to see you back.
As for all the gayness of the HP characters–HUH???? I didn’t get that out of them at all. But it’s so funny how we paint characters in our mind’s eye. that’s what I love about books–so much freedom to invent the way we think they really are. Once you see a character on film, that image is set for life (at least for me).
July 24th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I think the gayness comes from the fact that JK has painted a whole world in her books. And none of the characters are gay? Not one? I’m not big into queer theory, nor am I gay, but it just seems that in all those witches and wizards, some of them must be gay. And, I always assumed Tonks and Sirius were the ones. But, book 6 showed that I was wrong with Tonks at least. Wrong, and disappointed. Like I said, I love Lupin, but it stinks to see Tonks as a female wasting away over the man she loves. (Maybe it stinks because JK told us instead of showed us?)
July 24th, 2007 at 7:50 am
Oh, and speaking of Tonks…I’m getting my hair colored today. For the first time in 18 years. I’m going red/burgundy!!
September 4th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
hi,
i don’t really like giving my name on the internet, but you said that you weren’t sure what wotcher meant.
Well i didn’t either so i got on the internet and i looked it up.Wotcher is slang for “Hi,ya.”
your welcome!
P.S.
My favorite character is Tonks too.But i do like Sirius too.