Despite last year’s shocking revelation that the hero of “To Kill A Mockingbird,” Atticus Finch, developed a racist streak later in life with the release of Harper Lee’s (much) delayed sequel “Go Set a Watchman,” the protagonist’s lawyer father was still voted ‘the most inspiring’ character in literature.

Credit: Universal Pictures/Photofest
A survey of 2,000 UK adults marking the 10th anniversary of literacy charity Galaxy Quick Reads determined the ranking, and found that for both men and women, the philosophizing father topped the list, despite his newfound shortcomings. Whether it’s because the Brits appreciate a tragic flaw, or because most adults became familiar with the book in the 7th grade when they were actually wishing for a better father, who knows? But he did magically beat out Harry Potter – but not by much.
Find out which other literary characters topped the lists for men and women…
Did any of these literary characters change your life?
#2 for Women: Katniss Everdeen from “The Hunger Games” series

Source: Tumblr/ The Composites/ Imgur/ AmbitiousFall
#3 for Women: Harry Potter from the “Harry Potter” series

Source: YouTube/ Nathan Shields