Throughout most of society, we look towards our elderly as sources of valuable wisdom and much-needed comfort during difficult times. The imagery associated with grandparents usually generates scenes of spoiling their grandchildren rotten. So it is no surprise that our favorite movies, books, and comics have a special place to feature some of our favorite older characters.
In this Bookstr article, we will remember some of my personal favorites throughout the years. Read along to meet your new favorite older comfort character.
Alfred Pennyworth from Batman
Tragedy strikes young Master Wayne at a young age when he witnesses his parents being gunned down right in front of him. Tossed into the harsh world as an orphan, Alfred Pennyworth is the man who steps in to continue raising him as a child. As Bruce Wayne grows up to become an adult, Alfred continues to remain by his side. Sure, Alfred is employed as a butler at the Wayne Estate. But his intense loyalty and guidance reflect an emotional care beyond his employment.
Alfred Pennyworth has been portrayed throughout multiple versions of the comic, television series, and film. But my personal favorite has been Michael Caine’s version in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. Spoilers — the explosive ending of The Dark Knight Rises, when Alfred catches Bruce’s eye while vacationing in Italy after thinking Batman has finally met his demise, always gets me.
Aunt May from Spider-Man
As the sweet old aunt of Peter Parker, Aunt May needs to be protected at all costs. We are going to look over the last two Spider-Man series, in which Aunt May is cast as Sally Field and then Marisa Tomei (although, I guess, Sally Field would fit in on this list). But Rosemary Harris’s casting as Aunt May symbolized the loving care we receive from our elderly community.
Let’s face it — Aunt May has gone through a lot during the opening of the first Spider-Man movie. With the tragic death of her husband, Uncle Ben, she is left alone to look after her nephew, the high school student Peter Parker. Even though Peter is a great kid, he seems to be going through some changes, which has Aunt May a bit concerned. Throw in the city being attacked by some outrageous villains, and Aunt May cannot seem to catch a moment of peace.
Ove from A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
From first glance, Ove is not the most lovable character. He’s the one-man neighborhood watch team, and he is grouchy at everyone. Even after a new family moves in, it is still difficult to chip through his layers of bad attitude. But as the story progresses, the audience discovers the true origin of Ove’s war against the world. His life has had some serious ups and downs, while he recently lost his loving wife after many years of marriage. As readers continue Ove’s story, the feelings toward Ove transform into a caring protectiveness in which we want to see Ove find joy in his last years on Earth. His icy heart melts as he becomes more involved with his community.
Frances Owens and Bridget Owens from Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
Speaking for myself, the Owen Aunts are the older witchy ladies that we can aspire to grow up into. First of all, they have a huge Victorian house by the sea, which is absolute dream house goals. They spend their days gardening and hosting pancake breakfasts on the patio, while their nights are spent conjuring up midnight margaritas. And even though they kinda peaced out when Sally and Gillian were having some serious boy troubles, they know when to show up at the right time to help family.
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Mr. Bloom from Twilight Zone: The Movie
This movie from 1983 was nightmare fuel when I was a child. Based on the old-time television series that explores strange and paranormal topics, the movie was formatted in the same structure and consists of a series of small stories. While some of the stories were terrifying, the “Kick the Can” story stood out as more heartwarming and emotional.
It follows Mr. Bloom, an elderly but lively gentleman who checks himself into a retirement home. When he first arrives, the residents are quite depressing and not super active. Mr. Bloom tries to stimulate the conversation, but is met with stubborn resistance from one of the grumpy old men. One night, Mr Bloom gathers a group of the old residents in the yard, which is against the rules since they are outside during after-hours. He teaches them how to play “kick the can”, which awakens their inner child, literally.
Bilbo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
After his great adventures in The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins has retired to Hobbiton. As The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring opens, readers are invited to celebrate Bilbo’s birthday, in which he runs off and disappears — never shedding that desire for adventure that he obtained from his previous tales. While Bilbo is not a main character in The Lord of the Rings, he does make a last appearance during The Return of the King, as he embarks on his last adventure.
In The Lord of the Rings, Bilbo represents an older generation who is still influenced by the chase of a thrill, but is hindered by his old age and frailty. Regardless, he still represents a beloved spot in the Tolkien world.
This list inspires those of us who are younger to grow up into these adored elder figures. Which older fictional protagonist holds a special place in your heart?
If you are looking for an emotional read, check out my recommendations here.
Or if you need to feel a bit more young at heart, hop into our bookshelf: Young Reader’s and Children’s Holiday Recs.
