by Dr Mitchell Kalpakgian | Robin Hood and his band of loyal yeomen who lived in the greenwood of Sherwood Forest enjoyed “the merriest of merry lives” in the days of Henry II and Richard the Lionhearted, a period in medieval history celebrated as “merry old England.”

by Dr Mitchell Kalpakgian | Bilbo, a simple hobbit who enjoys the contentment of his modest home and its cozy comforts, has no great aspirations, seeks no glorious adventures, and has no fantasies about a more perfect life.

This article is part of a series on Favorite Characters in Literature. We hope that it may inspire children and adults alike to become acquainted, or re-acquainted, with some of ...

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | Although Dr. Samuel Johnson is not a fictional character in a novel, he is the subject of a great biography. The preeminent man of letters in the eighteenth century, Dr. Johnson accomplished extraordinary feats of writing.

In George Macdonald’s children’s classic 'The Princess and the Goblin', Princess Irene meets a grandmother when she goes exploring...

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | John (Jack), the younger brother, has been selected for one of the roles while his older brother Henry (Harry) attends his younger brother’s debut as an actor. However, more than one drama is occurring on the stage that night.

by Dr Mitchell Kalpakgian | All good parents are teachers, and all good teachers have the virtues of good parents. in 'Little Men', the founders of Plumfield Academy, Father and Mother Bhaer incorporate all the virtues of family life into their school and govern with both motherly love and fatherly discipline.

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | In George Macdonald’s children’s classic of fantasy literature' 'At the Back of the North Wind', Diamond travels to the back of the North Wind where he receives heavenly glimpses of a beautiful, pure world of abounding joy, laughter, and mirth.

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | Cordelia, however, cannot lower herself to pretend, dissemble, or exaggerate. Her simple answer to her father’s request for a proof of love is the simple, eloquent, honest truth:

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | Don Quixote one day feels inspired to emulate the knights of old and restore the ideals of chivalry, honor, truth, courtesy, and service that his own age has relegated to the past.

by Dr Mitchell Kalpakgian | A “proper match/marriage” meant a gain in a woman’s economic status and social respectability. She no longer had to feel financially dependent on her family or embarrassed by the stigma of old maid.

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | Father Brown is never fooled—either by appearances, theories, half-truths, or disguises. He is not fooled because he uses both faith and reason in his thinking while others attempt...

by Dr Mitchell Kalpakgian | A devoted wife, loving mother, prudent woman, and noble queen, Penelope portrays greatness as much as her heroic husband Odysseus...

by Dr Mitchell Kalpakgian | As his name implies, Mr. Knightley epitomizes the gentleman, a man whose manners, conduct, and treatment of all human beings reflects honor, courtesy, chivalry, and thoughtfulness.

by Dr Mitchell Kalpakagian | Mr. Rat from the 'Wind in the Willows' is the happiest person, the best of friends, the most hospitable of hosts, and a wise man.

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | In Dickens’ David Copperfield, an autobiographical novel narrated by David based on many events in Dickens’ own life...

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | Nathaniel Hawthorne’s 'A Wonder Book' portrays this elderly couple as the essence of hospitality in a story entitled “The Miraculous Pitcher.”

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | A mother of four daughters raising a family in nineteenth century America in the background of the Civil War, Mrs. March educates her children in manners and morals...

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | In The Tempest, Prospero plays the part of father to his daughter Miranda, ruler of the island he governs with justice and mercy...

by Dr. Mitchell Kalpakgian | In Hans Anderson’s 'Fairy Tales,' the little mermaid, youngest of six, makes a crucial life decision that none of her older sisters make.