Singles Awareness Day: Celebrating Literary Singles

My copy of the Annotated Hobbit.

Valentines Day can be rough when you don't have that "special someone" to spend it with, but don't let that prevent you from enjoying your life! Set aside any romance movies or books and have a look at some literary heroes who never got a date.

Note: Due to female stereotyping in classic literature, there are slim pickings for female heroes. Sorry. If you think of any, leave a comment!

1.  The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Bilbo Baggins was 50 years old when Gandalf pushed him out of Bag End at the beginning of The Hobbit, and he was still single. He didn't meet his significant other on the journey, and when he returned, he still didn't hook up. When he leaves Middle Earth at the end of The Lord of the Rings, he is still single, but he enjoyed many adventures and gathered stories to tell. Frodo Baggins never marries either.

2. Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Father Brown, like Sherlock Holmes, was an
unattached detective.

This famous detective, like many others such as Poirot and Father Brown, was brilliant and he was never in a relationship, despite his depiction in various adaptations. He was also extremely accomplished.

3. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Lots of stories that center around children avoid romantic relationships. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe  is one of my favorites because it focuses on familial relationships instead.

4. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Dorthy just wanted to go home. She didn't fall in love with any of her male companions; but she fostered friendships with new people.

6. Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carol

Wasn't sure if I should include this one, as it is a bit of an acid trip of a story, but I thought it was important to note that Alice learned a great deal about the world and about herself.

8. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

Great book about a boy and his dogs. It's a bit sad, but again, the focus is on personal growth, growing up, and enjoying the things you love.

9. Silas Marner by George Eliot

Again, the focus remains on familial relationships.

10. The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan 

Pilgrim's journey was focused on learning about God and his relationship with Him.

I did not include books like Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe or Hatchet by Gary Paulsen for the simple reason that the main characters are secluded from society in general, so I figured that was cheating. I also did not include Harry Potter, since we all knew he and Jinny were going to work out eventually, even though the first few books do exclude romantic relationships. There are lots of other books that feature single main characters. I would love to hear your favorites!