NPR: In Character: Who Would You Talk To?

In Character: Who Would You Talk To?

Today News & Notes had its launch of a new NPR-wide series called "In Character."

Author and Spelman professor William Jelani Cobb took a look at Mudbone, conjured by Richard Pryor.

The whole point of this series is to look at fictional characters that epitomize elements of American life.

I'm getting ready to do Jim from Mark Twain's Huckleberry Finn.

Then I'm going to have a LOT of fun doing Storm from the X Men.

If I could talk to any fictional character, though, it would be Anyanwu, the wise, tough, and empathetic shape-shifter from Octavia Butler's Wild Seed. To me, she embodies the strengths and weaknesses of womanhood, refracted through the masterful speculative fiction of one of my favorite authors.

Meanwhile, check out this essay inspired by Toni Morrison's Pecola Breedlove and the ongoing conversation about the series over at the 'In Character' blog. And like Evy in Minnetonka, you can tell us about the characters who've moved you. We may even put your suggestion on the radio.

If you could have a conversation with any fictional character in the world, who would it be?

Farai Chideya

Tags: NPR | news and notes

7:57 PM ET | 01- 2-2008 | permalink

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I would love to have a modern day conversation with Jesse B. Semple from the Langston Hughes' Simple stories. He was the epitome of the every man/street corner philosopher. I would love to get an updated take from Semple.

Sent by Sydney | 4:10 AM ET | 01-03-2008

I'd like to have a talk with Queequeg from Moby-Dick, maybe direct him to a good orthodontist and inform him of the potential health risks of full-body tattoos.

Sent by david | 11:43 AM ET | 01-03-2008

I would like to have a conversation with Helga Crane, the bi-racial, autobiographically based heroine of Nella Larsen's Harlem Renaissance novel, QUICKSAND. Do Helga's perceptions of racial identity presage our post-modern, anti-essentialist notions of race, or does she allow the binary opposition, "either-or" attitudes forged in the U.S. since the 16th century annihilate her sense of self?

Sent by Claire Garcia | 1:28 PM ET | 01-03-2008

DR. Strange Love would be an very
interesting fictional character. I would ask him: 'Where would you like to guide this nuclear missle
in 2008.'What terroist group would
bid for your service.THE greater
question, Mr. Strange Love, which 2008
presidentail candidate would use
you in a Barry Goldwater-like scary political ad.

Sent by jerry a. Myers | 12:00 AM ET | 01-04-2008

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