You may disagree with my personal list of eight of Ouida’s best protagonists, but it shouldn’t be difficult to acknowledge that the list includes a wonderful cast of characters. Obviously, Nello is inspiring enough to be loved in many nations, and, as the number one hero on the list, I also consider him to be a truly inspirational figure. Folle Farine, a close second, with her unwavering devotion, her stoicism, and her boldness, is probably one of Ouida’s most compelling heroines. It was this character which made the novel of the same name my unsurpassed favorite work of fiction. Similarly, although the character Cigarette from Under Two Flags isn’t one of Ouida’s more principled heroines, her proud and eccentric personality has allowed her to be appreciated by readers for generations. Read the list for yourself and see whether you concur with my selection. 1. Nello Daas Book: A Dog of Flanders (1872) Character Type: Artist/Orphan Quote: “He never meant that the poor should not see them when he painted them, I am sure.” 2. Folle Farine Book: Folle Farine (1871) Character Type: Racially Mixed/Captive/Orphan Quote: “Touch me again; and by the heaven and hell you prate of, I will kill you!” 3. Syrlin Book: Syrlin (1890) Character Type: Racially Mixed/Actor Quote: “She loves me, and she will rejoice in my strength; he hates me, and he will learn that words can smite still deeper than the sword.” 4. Cigarette Book: Under Two Flags (1867) Character Type: Soldier/Femme Galante Quote: “Do you not know that I could kill you where you stand as easily as I could wring the neck of any one of those gold-winged orioles that flew above your head today…” 5. Tricotrin Book: Tricotrin (1869) Character Type: Musician/Philosopher Quote: “Monkey stows away her stolen goods in a visible pouch unblushingly; man smuggles his away unknown in the guise of ‘profit’ or ‘percentage,’ ‘commerce’ or annexation’—” 6. Vere Herbert Book: Moths (1880) Character Type: Captive/Angel Woman Quote: “And have they all nothing to do but enjoy themselves?” 7. Chandos Book: Chandos (1866) Character Type: Aristocrat/Philosopher Quote: “Go,—and show to others hereafter the mercy you need now.” 8. Idalia Book: Idalia (1867)
Character Type: Aristocrat/Angel Woman/ Grande Dame Quote: “You try intimidation? I accredited you with better breeding and less melodrama.”
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