What is that most common character trait possessed by literary characters you like?

Now, that’s one I’ll have to think about. I’ll get back to you on that.

I can tell you that it’s not beauty, goodness, or pluckiness, although those may be additional traits in some appealing characters (and maybe also in some despicable ones). And it sure isn’t flaws alone. Maybe there isn’t a commonality? This could be a hard one.

Honesty.

I like the plucky ones, non conformists, ahead of their times….and usually don’t give a rats behind for what other people think of them. I admire that trait in people.

I guess I would need to know a specific genera to answer this.

The anti-authoritarianism of John Rebus.
Yeah, had to check the spelling for that.

Well, I like Jack Ryan (an ongoing Tom Clancy character) because he’s very intelligent, crafty, and can morph into any situation.

I like Sacajawea because of her incredible mental strength.

I like Lessa (Dragon Riders of Pern) because she is as brave a warrior as any man,holds her own in a battle, and she has the coolest dragon.

I love Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird, and Idgie in Fried Green Tomatoes and because they refused to let society cram them into a girl box.

I like any male character who sets a good example of fairness and justice, even if it flies in the face of society.

So I guess the characteristics my literary characters have in common is intelligence, bravery and non-conformity.

Hope with a smidge of Melancholy and Loneliness.

I like a character that surprises me. Maybe s/he makes a choice I didn’t expect, and is very three dimensionally crafted.

Being adventurous, the way Jim Hawkins was in Treasure Island, or the way the Walkers and Blacketts were in Swallows and Amazons.

Tenacity.

Humor and insight; I’m talking to you, Elizabeth Bennett.

They are realistic and have a degree of humor about it.

Well, I think I’ve narrowed it down to five: passion, courage, integrity, curiosity, and a sense of personal honor or dignity.

Still thinking.

A sense of humor is a great asset, but not of the essence, in my opinion. Likewise humility and fair-mindedness.

We’re talking about fictional characters, after all, people we enjoy reading about (or seeing portrayed), not people we’d marry or people we’d elect to high office.

Speaking of which—I think our national love affair with made-up characters on TV and in movies who are unconventional mavericks in David-against-Goliath roles has warped our collective sense of cultural identity and our good judgment about who should best lead us. What makes a great cinematic plot does not necessarily give us the strength, wisdom, and stability we need in our governing bodies.

Integrity is the first thing that springs to mind. They are true to their own moral code, even if it’s not the same as my own.

Other traits I enjoy in my fictional favorites: Intelligent enough not to make ridiculously dumb decisions. Slightly twisted sense of humor. Realistic, even if the character is a fantasy being.