Fathers (heck, parents in general) aren’t given much notice in fantasy literature. If they appear at all, they tend to be…not very good, to put it mildly. But a good father, as I’ve seen in my own family, is priceless to both their sons and daughters. So, I’m going to mention a few good fathers (and father figures!) I’ve found in the fantasy genre.
Arthur Weasley (Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling)
Absent-minded and always interested in what the Muggles do to get along without magic, Arthur Muggle is absolutely adorable. As the series progresses, it becomes clear he also clearly loves his family and is willing to do anything for them. Even, and especially, defend them when war begins between the Death Eaters and those who oppose them.
His sons (two in particular) are seen as troublemakers, but his sons take very much after their father, all of them willing to sacrifice their lives to protect those they love, magical or Muggle.
Ned Stark (Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin)
Let’s be honest here: Ned Stark is an innocent idiot. His sense of honor blinded him to those who had none, because he truly didn’t believe people could be as treacherous as those he found himself surrounded by.
But when it comes to being a dad, Ned is wonderful! His best move? Hiring a sword master to teach his daughter swordplay under the guise of being a dancing master.
Van Hohenheim (Fullmetal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa)
Those who’ve read the manga Fullmetal Alchemist may disagree with me here, but I think Hohenheim is a great example of a dad who made some awful mistakes for very good reasons, and does his best to try to make up for it. He’s devoted to his sons. He tries to protect them (which is why he did what he did in the course of the series). And although he wasn’t there for them at the most tragic point of their lives, he is fully there for them when he returns. And he takes complete responsibility for the mistakes he’s made.
So, yeah. I say he’s a good father.
Bilbo Baggins (Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien)
This one and the next aren’t technically dads, but I think that makes it all the more important to mention them.
Bilbo didn’t have to take in Frodo. He didn’t have to raise him. He didn’t have to care about him. But he did. And he allowed his nephew to dream. He wasn’t perfect, but he did well.
Uncle Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender, animated series)
Iroh is amazing. He went from being a callous general to a philosopher who happens to command men after the death of his son in the war. His introspection ended up giving him the resources to help his exiled, hotheaded nephew, Prince Zuko. Because Iroh was there for Zuko in ways that Zuko’s own father wasn’t, he was able to impart wisdom, discipline, and compassion that shows up just when the world needs it. Zuko became the man his people needed because of Iroh.
That’s my list. Any others you’d like to add? Let me know in the comments!
Amy Keeley 