Mr. Darcy + Other Fictional Crushes

Here’s my proclamation for this post: Having a crush on a fictional character is totally normal!

We have fictional crushes because we’re recognizing qualities and attributes we seek / or have found in a real person. From books to movies and TV shows there will always be characters that leave an impression on us or simply make our hearts beat a little faster.

I took to Facebook last week to get an idea of what fictional characters people had crushes on. A host of Trueblood characters – Jason Stackhouse, Eric Northman,  Bill Compton and Alcide made the cut. Also on the list: Jay Gatsby, Poison Ivy,  Jamie Fraser (Outlander), Jake (Scandal), Damon Salvatore (The Vampire Diaries),  Jon Snow (GoT), and Jace (The Mortal Instruments). Best response I received:

Noah Calhoun because I want a house on the lake with a wrap around porch.

I’m clearly not ashamed to admit I have a number of fictional crushes. So here it goes:

1. Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice

Please note if you have not read this classic Jane Austen novel – GO DO IT NOW – or at least go take a look at the 2005 movie adaptation that plays once a week on Oxygen. In my 10th grade honors English class we were required to read Pride and Prejudice and I quickly realized none of those little grubby boys I had a crush on would ever hold a candle to Fitzwilliam Darcy. He’s tall and brooding. In real life he would be the type of man who would keep you on your toes. He would profess his love for you not only with eloquent words, but with action. Mr. Darcy gives off that Beauty and the Beast vibe (minus the borderline violence and the Stockholm syndrome stuff) – a little rough around the edges, and only your love can bring out his goodness and warmth. In text only – Mr. Darcy wins, but throw in Colin Firth’s 1995 BBC Darcy or Matthew Macfadyen’s 2005 Darcy and be still my abnormal beating heart. Mr. Darcy will always be my #1 literary/fictional crush.

Jane Austen started this whole “you can change a man” thing. Yes, blame her for penning a man in the 1800’s that a woman was able to effectively change for all of the right reasons. She set a lot of us up for failure, but Mr. Darcy changed for Elizabeth. Lizzie’s expectations made him a better man. Love made him change. C’mon – you can’t get any better than that! Then not to be that girl, but there’s that whole Pemberley thing. Mr. Darcy is amazing really and truly, and if I could find a guy who acted exactly like him but was perhaps didn’t make a lot of money, fine – suga mama it is. I just need him to tell me I’ve bewitched him body and soul everyday. However, Mr. Darcy had Pemberley and who wouldn’t want to be married to the most amazing man and live in a bomb ass palace. I’d practice my pianoforte everyday in bliss. Not convinced Mr. Darcy is crushworthy – check out this clip:

My affections and wishes have not changed, but one word from you will
silence me forever. If, however, your feelings have changed, I will
have to tell you: you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love, I
love, I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.

I could seriously spend the entire blog post talking about Mr. Darcy, but I have more fictional crushes to confess.

2. Pacey Witter, Dawson’s Creek

 

3. Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead

Daryl Dixon shot a crossbow of love into my heart and now there’s no turning back. I’m not sure if it’s the necklace of severed ears, those fantastic dirty, sweaty arms, or the Ugly Betty poncho, but Daryl Dixon is perfection. Despite the world and its lack of humanity and general lack of safety, Daryl is the kind of guy you want by your side…or ahead of you popping walkers with his crossbow. Sure at the beginning of the series he showed a few racist tendencies, but I blame Merle. Over the course of The Walking Dead, we’ve learned that Daryl loves his people and will do anything for them.  AND Daryl loves kids. Have you seen him bottle-feed Judith call her “Little Ass Kicker”? Ovaries on overdrive. Don’t forget about when they were searching for Carol’s daughter. He never lost hope and he was willing to do anything to get her back.  Daryl is a badass, but he just needs a little love (and a shower). *cues Let Me Love You*

Also in the event that the zombie apocalypse happens, it would be nice to have a hot dude that would totally keep you safe (don’t bring up Beth- that wasn’t his fault) and feed you – even if it is a raccoon.

4. Patrick Verona, 10 Things I Hate About You

To be fair – I still really really love Heath Ledger and one way or another one of his characters was likely to make this list. However, Patrick, the character is pretty amazing as well. OK, OK, he started dating Kat to make some money, but in the end he loves her for all the right reasons (and he bought her a guitar with the money). He’s got that touch of bad boy, but he will also take care of you when you’re drunk and dancing on a tables and you give yourself a slight concussion. (That’s love.) Plus that paintball gun date – yes, yes, yes. Still can’t get over the lying scheming part?  Let me remind you that he totally willing to make a fool of himself and get into trouble to earn Kat’s forgiveness. He sings “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You” while dancing/running from cops on the school bleachers. Um, hello hotness.

Click more below to see who made the Honorable Mentions list!

Gilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables

Prince Maxon, The Selection Series

Stefan Urquelle, Family Matters

Westly, The Princess Bride

Death cannot stop true love. It only delays it for a bit.

Who are some of your fictional crushes? Let me know in the comments below!