Fictional Men We Love

Here's the deal: If I had to sum up the love for Mr. Darcy in one line, it would be this one: "You have bewitched me, body and soul."

Mr. Darcy begins Pride and Prejudice as a snotty, annoying man who is a less than inviting character. He resists Elizabeth and his attraction to her while at the same time letting the walls around him crumble little by little.

However, near the end of the story, Mr. Darcy is so dependent upon Elizabeth's approval that he's nearly debilitated by it. Mr. Darcy represents, in my opinion, a conquered quest for many of us. A prize worth winning. Not merely given, yet still worth winning.

Lloyd Dobler represents what we tell ourselves we want. A sensitive, devoted, caring man.

He pursues Diane Court with a sort-of shy determination. He never feels like he's worthy of her and doesn't make any strides to change this. It's only when her father is jailed that he begins to feel that he's on a level playing ground with her, but you still can't help feeling that he's constantly living in her shadow.

The Lloyds of the world always seem to be striving for some ideal form of woman. In truth, I think most women would shy away from such devotion. We like it, but we like to see confidence in a man as well and to some degree, Lloyd is missing that.

However - and this is what makes Lloyd a more compelling character - desperation brings out the bravery in him. A point that's put into play during the infamous scene of him with the boombox outside Diane's window. I'd say it's that determination in gaining the affection of the woman he loves that has endeared him to so many of us.

It's no surprise that Clark Kent/Superman is seen by so many as the ideal man. The duality of the character causes him to be both strong, yet sensitive. One moment he's brave and saving the world. The next he's Lois' lapdog.

When he's Superman, he can work Lois like a puppet. She becomes giddy like a schoolgirl, unsure of herself and wants to meet his approval.

When he's Clark Kent, it's just the opposite. He's vying for her approval while she calls the shots. In many ways, it's much like what many would perceive as a realistic, yet compelling relationship. There's give and take while keeping the relationship new and exciting.

Does it take the ability to fly and be made of steel? Well, let's hope not.

Jake Ryan represents, for many girls over the age of 25, the one who we never could quite snag. He was everything we wanted - good looks, coy, good looks, sexy, good looks, nice, good looks - even though the sound bite is that our turn ons are "sense of humor" and "sensitivity."

We never got him though. He always went for the overtly popular girl with the big boobs and shiny tiara. But in Sixteen Candles, we did get him. Or Samantha Baker did, but we were Samantha Baker. That is the ones of us who weren't too busy winning Homecoming Queen.

We'll always sigh when we watch that car pull away and see Jake Ryan waiting for Samantha near the church steps. Sure, we've outgrown the fantasy (or at least that's what we tell ourselves), but we'll never forget the feeling of victory when Samantha drove off with Jake.

Last couple of seasons aside, Luke Danes could, at times, be the ideal man. And that's probably what gives him an edge of realism. No man, just like no woman, is ideal 100% of the time. Most of the time, they're just getting along in the world and breathing, ya know? But what makes a person extraordinary isn't that they're extraordinary 24/7, but that they have true, unselfish moments of grandeur.

That's Luke Danes in a nutshell. Everyman for the most part, but every once in awhile, he reveals a side of himself that's sensitive, caring and amazing. He's the guy that would drive through three feet of snow to come and get you when he told you that you'd be better off staying at home. He's the guy that would punch a guy's lights out for calling you anything less than a lady. He's the guy that remembers that The Shop Around the Corner is your favorite movie and has it waiting in the DVD player after you've mentioned over the phone that your day has completely sucked.

He is, in all honesty, the guy that every girl really wants. Tough, but accessible. Stoic, but funny. Larger than life, but down to earth.

While he's not necessarily a keeper, Indiana Jones is that guy we'd like to tag along with for an adventure. We'd go home and think about it off and on and always remember him even after we found the guy we eventually settle down with.

Han Solo is the guy who, while being independent and even a bit of a scoundrel, can become something more than just a playboy. He's cocky and dangerous, but there's still that bit of him that's begging to be "caught."

It will take a dynamic woman to catch him, but that's part of the appeal. If he would take just anything, what would be the point?

Of course, there's also the fact that he's the sexiest scoundrel in the galaxy, but really that's not very important is it? Watch out for lightning when you answer that one.

If there were to be a parchment and quill version of dontdatehimgirl.com, this guy's name would be all over it, but we just can't help but swoon at the idea of him calling us, "luv."

Sure you'd just be another doxy in some forgotten port, but at least you would have the ability to say you've tamed Jack Sparrow. For a little while anyway.

Jack Sparrow is the ultimate anti-hero. By his very nature, he's a bad guy. I mean, he is a pirate after all. However, he's got an annoying streak of morality that seems to appear at the most inconvenient times. For him, anyway.