Sookie Stackhouse
Self-proclaimed Christian
Sookie Stackhouse in HBO's True Blood
Sookie Stackhouse is a unique heroine at best. Her most unique quality probably being her telepathy, which mars her as a child and isolates her from other humans. This unique quality is what initially drives her into throngs of vampires, as she cannot hear their thoughts like every other human. Sookie finds solace in her new found peace among vampires, and quickly she is pulled into their world. Sookie is a martyr of sorts, as she is often looked down upon for her beliefs of equality and her dismissal of the bigot attitudes that surround her. Combine a young woman with the ability to read minds and a likeness for vampires and Harris creates quite an unusual character. But she is lovable and quickly becomes the heroine you continue to fight for throughout the novels, despite her sometimes mislead decisions and rash actions.
Sookie's own personal religion is often questionable at times. She is a self-proclaimed Christian who often goes to church when not in the midst of a vampire battle, but people have also died at her hands. She is often described as "white trash," by reviewers, a term which personally makes me uncomfortable. However "it is a depiction that Harris denies, but also revels in and considers it a part of Sookie's southern nature," says Cynthia Lyles-Scott in her article The Dark Frontier of Dixie. Scott goes on to state that "although she [Harris] purposefully portrayed Sookie as poor southern white trash, who oftentimes ends up running for her life from the monsters and ghouls of the night, she also depicted the character as being good-natured and kind-hearted, in hopes that she would take away the sting of the white trash label in today's society." She also quotes Harris directly from an interview in which she states "'Sookie has a very positive character. She's always trying to count her blessings and look on the bright side, since that's what her grandmother taught her to do. She takes interest in everything that goes on around her'." Perhaps it is her grandmothers influence that teaches her her morals, and instills in her the desire to go to Church and continue being as good of a Christian as she can be.
However, Sookie is often found fretting over her Christianity as her actions often contradict her religion. But she admits herself that she has not minded having to kill the creatures that she's killed, which is the main reason for her fretting. So, therefore Harris doesn't allow for for Sookie's faith to guide her in her actions. However her faith is still at the core of her character, and it is her Christian faith that permits her views on equality. She tries her hardest to be the best person she can be; accepting of those around her, patient with others, and genuinely nice to people. It is her Christianity, combined with her southern nature, and the Christian influence of her grandmother, that makes Sookie the genuine heroine that we know and love.