The Six Most Pitiable Characters in English Literature

For as long as stories have been told, authors have crafted characters that tug at our heartstrings, often leaving us feeling a deep sense of pity for them. Whether it’s their tragic backstories, personal struggles, or the unfortunate circumstances they face, these characters touch us deeply. Let’s take a look at six such pitiable characters from English literature, whose stories are bound to stir your emotions.

1. Sydney Carton from “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens

Sydney Carton, the proverbial unsung hero from Dickens’ novel, is a prime example of a pitiable character. Despite being a brilliant barrister, he remains perpetually unhappy and dissatisfied with his life. He is in love with Lucie Manette, who unfortunately sees him only as a friend. Sydney’s ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life for Lucie’s happiness, is heart-wrenching, making him a symbol of unrequited love and self-sacrifice.

2. Lennie Small from “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck

Lennie Small is a large, physically strong man with the mind of a child. He is completely dependent on his friend George for survival. Lennie’s mental incapacity and his inability to control his strength often lands him in trouble. His innocent love for petting soft things, tragically leading to their destruction, makes him one of the most pitiable characters in literature. The ending of the story, where George is forced to take a heart-breaking decision to spare Lennie from a worse fate, is gut-wrenching.

3. Jay Gatsby from “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Jay Gatsby, the enigmatic millionaire with an unyielding love for Daisy, is a character who evokes pity despite his material success. Gatsby’s life is a pursuit of the American Dream, and he goes to great lengths to recreate a past love. However, the object of his affection, Daisy, remains elusive and ultimately unattainable. Gatsby’s death, alone and unloved, makes him a pitiable figure, symbolizing the emptiness of material wealth without true emotional fulfillment.

4. Willy Loman from “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Willy Loman is a character that personifies the disillusionment of the American Dream. A traveling salesman in his sixties, Willy is unable to accept that he has not achieved the success he always dreamed of. His constant struggle to maintain his dignity, his hallucinations of a better past, and his eventual downfall all make Willy a deeply pitiable character. His tragic end, succumbing to suicide, leaves a profound sadness in the hearts of readers.

5. Oliver Twist from “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens

The young orphan Oliver Twist evokes pity from the outset. Born into a world of poverty and misfortune, Oliver’s life is one hardship after another. His innocence in the face of such adversity, coupled with his longing for love and a family, makes the injustices he faces even more heart-wrenching. Despite his dire circumstances, Oliver never loses his kind nature, further amplifying our empathy for him.

6. Victor Frankenstein from “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley

Victor Frankenstein, the ambitious scientist who creates a monster, is a deeply pitiable character. Driven by his thirst for knowledge, he ends up creating a creature that becomes his worst nightmare. His regret and guilt over his creation, his loss of loved ones, and his relentless pursuit by the monster lead to his downfall. His tragic end, filled with remorse and despair, evokes a deep sense of pity in readers.

Every one of these characters, while pitiable, also showcases strength, resilience, and a capacity for love and sacrifice that often goes unrecognized. They serve as reminders that in literature, as in life, circumstances can be harsh, and not everyone gets a happy ending. These characters may be pitiable, but they are also deeply human, making their stories all the more compelling and unforgettable.

*** If you have had the chance to shed a couple of tears for such characters during your acquaintance with literature, please mention them in the comment section. – Name of the character, book in which they appear, the author, and if possible, a little introduction.