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In honor of Father’s Day fast approaching, I have put together a list of 6 loving fathers in literature who prove to be loving fathers no matter how many faults they have.
Let me know in the comments below if you’d like to see a list of some of my favorite “BAD” examples of fatherhood in literature next.
Table of Contents
Loving Fathers in Literature (alphabetical order):
The Godfather
Father: Don Vito Corleone
Character Description: Don Vito might not be the noblest of men. But there is no denying the love he has for his children and wife. Family comes first for Don Vito in this depiction of one of the most loving fathers in literature.
Quote: “A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.”
Famous Portrayal: Marlon Brando in The Godfather
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Father: Arthur Weasley
Character Description: Arthur Weasley might not be the most clever nor the most dashing of fathers, let alone wizards. However, he is a man of principle and honor unlike some of his co-workers at the Ministry of Magic (e.g. Malfoy). And he is very loving and encouraging of his children’s talents and becomes in many ways a loving “uncle” and role model for Harry.
Quote: “You aren’t going to see your nephew till next summer,” he said to Uncle Vernon in mild indignation. “Surely you’re going to say good-bye?”
Famous Portrayal: Mark Williams in the Harry Potter series
Les Miserables
Father: Jean Valjean (Adoptive)
Character Description: Jean Valjean may not be Cosette’s biological father but he loves her as if she were his flesh and blood. He is willing to risk many things to give Cosette a good education at the convent and to provide her a good life once she leaves school. It is his protectiveness and love for Cosette that serves as a cause and purpose for Valjean in the latter half of the book.
Quote: “His venerable white head fell on the bed, this old stoical heart broke, his face was swallowed up, so to speak, in Cosette’s clothes, and anybody who had passed along the staircase at that moment would have heard irrepressible sobbing.”
Famous Portrayal: Liam Neeson in Les Miserables (1998)
Nancy Drew Series
Father: Carson Drew
Character Description: Carson Drew is a widowed attorney of law who has a single child, Nancy, whom he dotes on and highly respects. He is often away and trusts her to look after herself (with the help of the housekeeper) and often gives her advice and assistance on her cases. And yes, sometimes he ends up needing Nancy’s help to get out of a pickle or two such as in The Mystery at Lilac Inn when he is kidnapped by the story’s villain.
Quote: “Carson Drew said severely, ‘Well, Gay Moreau, justice is catching up with you again.’ Then he kissed his daughter.” (The Mystery at Lilac Inn)
Famous Portrayal: William Schallert in the 1970s T.V. Series.
Suggested Reading: 5 Famous TV Detectives to Binge-Watch
To Kill a Mockingbird
Father: Atticus Finch
Character Description: Atticus Finch is one of the most famous lawyers in fiction and for a good reason. He is not only a brave and honorable man who lives to do the right thing — he is also a widowed father of two. He is a strict and loving father always finding time for them despite his busy schedule. Due to his being such a great role model and champion of fairness and honesty — he is considered a very good father figure in To Kill a Mockingbird. He is probably the most famous of the loving fathers in literature I put together.
Quote: “You may be sorry, but I’m proud of you.”
Famous Portrayal: Gregory Peck in the film version.
Wives and Daughters
Father: Doctor Gibson
Character Description: An honest, selfless, dedicated physician, Gibson does his best to do what is right for his young motherless daughter. Outwardly unemotional and reserved, Mr. Gibson is the principal observer in the narrative. He and Molly complement each other, and it is through their eyes that the reader sees and feels.
Quote: “No, no, no, no, no. That is one thing I forbid. I will have no *trying* for Molly.”
Famous Portrayal: Bill Paterson in the BBC adaptation.
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Continue the Conversation
Who are some of your favorite loving fathers in literature (not necessarily from this list)?
This is really a great reading list. I love that you included Harry Potter. I see some books I would love to read again. Thanks.
The father figure in Les Miserables was my favorite! These are some great ones you listed. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t love this post enough. Encouraging reading and about inspiring fathers fictional or not? Win-win situation for me!
This is a great reading list I will have to start checking out some of those books
Wonderful and thanks for lot for sharing, Les Miserable is for sure, one of my all time favourites, and it looks like a good chance to revisit this masterpiece during the father’s day. – Knycx Journeying
I have read them all and these books look lovely. And these books are perfect for Father’s day.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is one of my favorites. I read it as a teenager and I would love to read it again.
Atticus Finch was a good literature example of a dad. Never thought of him before, but he surely was. 🙂
Great list! I’m happy to say I’ve read more of this literature. Definitely publish the list of the bad examples, too.
Those are all wonderful literature pieces to check out. I grew up with Nancy Drew so that is one off the list, would love to check out the others.
Ohh! What an interesting blog topic because all too often father figures are kind of forgotten in books and movies (unless the books/movies are actually ABOUT them being a father)!
Personally, I don’t know of any but I would love to know of the one(s) in Nancy Drew.
I LOVED Nancy Drew growing up! I would get lost in those books. Carson was a great dad! So happy to see him on this list :). Thank you for sharing!
These are some great lists. I’m gonna check some of these books.
Indeed literature leaves us and inspires us with beautiful stories, I read them all, a child should read them with his dad!
This is an awesome list! I love the idea of honoring great men through literature.
These are some great books. I’ve already read most of them. Wives and daughters sounds interesting.
This is an excellent list. I’ve read all of these except for Nancy Drew, Les Miserables, and Wives and Daughters. I feel like they’ll be great reads because I know the father figures in the other books are definitely rich characters.
I’ve actually read some of these, so I know that all of them must be great picks. I need to read The Godfather.