Who's the cleverest character of all?

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 17 Apr 2007, 18:25

This is a tough question as there are so many potential candidates but out of all the characters that Blyton created, who do you think is the most intelligent? I don't know really - could it be Miss Theobald, who we know was a maths specialist? What about Chief Superintendent Jenks? Fatty perhaps?

Kitty · Post by **Kitty** » 17 Apr 2007, 19:03

Fatty and Alicia for me - with Julian and Elizabeth as runners up!

Stephen · Post by **Stephen** » 17 Apr 2007, 19:15

I take it you don't mean fantasy characters - because I always thought it was the stern but fair wizard Mr Spells from The Wishing Chair Again who scared and impressed me in equal measure.

If we're talking human characters I thought Fatty was an absolute genius. He started off a bit irritating - but he developed as the series went on into this wonder-boy who could solve mysteries, disguise himself as anyone, make up poetry from the top of his head, get out of a locked room, throw his voice and deliver charm and wit wherever appropriate.

Another character I admired for being able to do anything he wanted was Julian (No, not THAT one!) from The Naughtiest Girl is a Monitor. He came unstuck by realising he had all this intelligence and yet letting it go to waste. Quite an emotional turning point which I can really sympathise with.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » 17 Apr 2007, 19:16

Timmy?

More seriously, what about Peter (Secret Seven)? As far as I can tell, he's only about 10, with pretty good organisational skills (aka being a bit bossy) and quite capable of working things out.

Lucky Star · Post by **Lucky Star** » 17 Apr 2007, 19:47

Its probably Fatty for all the reasons Stephen has mentioned above. But if we're talking Clever at life as opposed to being clever at maths etc then a case could be made for Jack from the Secret series. His survival skills as a child are better than mine are now.

He also understands how to read people, when to be strict as a leader and when to let others have their turn. He's got to be one of Enid's most resourceful characters. This is primarily displayed in The Secret Island but there's plenty of evidence throughout the rest of the series as well.

Another similar candidate would be Andy from The Adventurous Four. Another born leader with life skills in spades.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 17 Apr 2007, 20:30

I don't know the SS books really so don't know how intelligent Jake in them was

. I might be inclined to go for Fatty too but it depends on how he wound up later in life.

Viv of Ginger Pop · Post by **Viv of Ginger Pop** » 17 Apr 2007, 22:36

lucky Star wrote: Another similar candidate would be Andy from The Adventurous Four. Another born leader with life skills in spades.

Both Jack and Andy are working class

(yah - boo to those that say Blyton only wrote about middle class kids!

)

I think that the most intelligent Baddy is Jo-jo from the Island of Adventure. He has everyone fooled that he is a bit simple, yet he is actually the leader of a sophisticated gang.

Does it matter that he is black?

Best wishes

Viv

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 17 Apr 2007, 23:18

Jo Jo wasn't black! *looks shocked*. And his name wasn't Jo Jo either .. it was Joe!

Jen-Jen · Post by **Jen-Jen** » 18 Apr 2007, 00:45

Fatty is the cleverest in terms of brains, and I also agree that Julian from Naughtiest Girl would be next in line.

I can't decide who out of Andy and Jack would be the most street smart. Barney is fairly street smart too (except of course for the time he got sucked into thinking the bad guy was his father)

And Tammylan might be the most knowledgeable on all things nature.

But who would be clever in terms of well rounded, logical, and sensible? - really "someone the world could lean on" as Miss Grayling would say.
Darrel would be a top contender, so would Sally Hope, and maybe Anne Kirrin perhaps.

Viv of Ginger Pop · Post by **Viv of Ginger Pop** » 18 Apr 2007, 08:35

Jen-Jen wrote: I can't decide who out of Andy and Jack would be the most street smart.

I think that it has become part of Western Culture that Urban is somehow cool and commendable and Rural isn't.

Neither Jack or Andy would ever have visited a town of bigger than say 3,000 people when we first meet them. They are both country boys, deeply rooted in where they come from. As has been said, they have common sense in spade-fulls, a good understanding of other people, capable leaders... but Urban they aint!

Best wishes

Viv

jen · Post by **jen** » 18 Apr 2007, 20:04

Can I throw a new one in? I was always very taken with Bobby (SC) who was accused by Miss T of cheating - not in the conventional sense but by not working hard despite her parents payng her fees. I admired the way Bobby went off on her own to think about, realised what Miss T said was true and was able to go to Miss T and say to her face-to-face that she was right. Maybe she wasn't clever as such but to be able to find her faults and put them right is an admirable quality to have.

In terms of real intelligence surely Irene with her Maths or Felicity with her music, Belinda with her art or Gladys with her acting all deserve a mention?

dsr · Post by **dsr** » 18 Apr 2007, 20:12

Shouldn't a certain Mr. Q. Kirren get a mention?

jen · Post by **jen** » 18 Apr 2007, 20:22

I suppose so.........and how about that other scientist? My memory's getting worse - Tinker's dad.

arky72 · Post by **arky72** » 18 Apr 2007, 22:01

Moose wrote:Jo Jo wasn't black! *looks shocked*. And his name wasn't Jo Jo either .. it was Joe!

Well, in my copy he's black and called Jo Jo!!

I think Block from the Famous five was pretty clever - I am not sure I could pretend to be deaf as convincingly as he does.

Susie · Post by **Susie** » 18 Apr 2007, 22:06

I think it's Bobby too! It made a very big impression on me, it was amazing that she was able to listen to miss T and correct herself. Some would go off in to a huff and say if that's what she thinks of me then forget it.
I nominate bobby