Fictional Character - Charlie Blondell

Any fictional character... Well, there's many options. I could go with the classic Luke Skywalker, fighting off the evils of the Empire. Maybe James Bond, the ruthless but wooing spy. I could be Ricky Bobby; Shake 'n Bake baby. Many fictional characters portray one role, one emotion, one persona. I'll have to go with a character I believe represents the good and bad in all of us: Mr. Walter White. For those who don't know, Walt is the leading actor in the beloved AMC drama Breaking Bad. As a high school chemistry teacher, Walt pursues life on the basic, grounded American pattern of stability, comfort, and assurance. However, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes a turn for the, some might say, worse. Realizing that he doesn't have the money he would like to leave his wife and son, Walt needs to find a new, quick, and easy source of income. After going on a meth-lab bust with his brother-in-law, he finds an interest in this "field of study," and when he learns how profitable the business can be, he aspires to be one of the top dealers in the region. The show illustrates how a normal nobody can completely change their way of life and what leads to these rational decisions. It shows how anyone can be drawn down a dark path for what they believe are valid reasons. Walt has good moments, loving his family and using his "hard-earned" money towards their best interests. He also has bad, becoming so consumed in his new hobby that his fondness of the meth business quickly develops into harsh greed. Walter White is one thing: a man. Just like all of us, we have our struggles and our successes. He shows us what we already know, that sometimes, even when it seems like all hope is lost, life will have meaning. You will find it and make it worthwhile (This doesn't mean go start a meth business).