Mrs Frisby And The Rats Of Nimh Characters

Okay, let's be honest. We all secretly loved Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH, right? But some characters were definitely more...memorable than others. And maybe, just maybe, some were a little overrated. Let's dive into this fantastical world of super-smart rodents and see if we agree!

Mrs. Frisby: A Mother's Love (and Maybe a Little Annoying)

First up, Mrs. Frisby herself. She's the star, the protagonist, the mom who'd do anything for her kids. And we get it! She's brave, resourceful, and determined. But sometimes? Just sometimes? I wanted to yell at the book, "Just ASK for help, lady!" All that secretive sneaking around gave me anxiety.

I mean, her intentions were good. But a tiny bit less internal monologue and a little more teamwork might have saved a lot of trouble. Unpopular opinion, I know. But hear me out!

Nicodemus: The Brainy (and Possibly Slightly Mad) Leader

Now, Nicodemus! He's the grand old man, the wise leader, the keeper of all the secrets. He's got that cool, Gandalf-y vibe going on. We're supposed to be impressed by his intelligence and foresight. And, sure, he's smart. He did figure out how to steal electricity and build an elevator inside a rose bush! (Goals, right?)

But let's be real, he also seemed a little...unhinged. Living in the past, obsessed with the old days. "The Plan"! So mysterious! So vaguely explained! It was like he enjoyed keeping everyone in the dark. Was he truly wise or just a really good manipulator? Hmm...

Justin: The Loyal (and Kinda Bland) Soldier

Ah, Justin. The brave, loyal soldier. Always ready to follow orders. Always doing the right thing. The kind of guy you'd want on your team. But...was he anything more than that?

He's basically a beige-colored rat. Reliable, sure. Exciting? Not so much. He's the definition of "good, but not great." Sorry, Justin, but you’re the saltine cracker of the NIMH crew.

Brisby Children: Cutie Pies or Just Plot Devices?

Then there are the Frisby children. Theresa, Timothy, Martin, and Cynthia. Timothy's sick, which is the whole reason for the plot. The others are... there. They're cute, I guess?

Honestly, they mostly exist to give Mrs. Frisby a reason to be brave. Do they have distinct personalities? Not really. Are they memorable? Only if you have a soft spot for sick rodents. They are more of a plot device than a character.

Jenner: The Rebel (and Maybe the Most Interesting)

Okay, here's where things get controversial. I think Jenner is the most compelling character in the whole book! Yes, he's the villain. Yes, he's greedy and power-hungry. But he's also got a point!

He sees the inherent danger in the rats' lifestyle. He questions Nicodemus's plan. He's proactive! He's not just blindly following orders. Jenner isn't evil, he's pragmatic! Maybe he just wants what's best for himself, but isn't that what most people want?

He's the only one who genuinely struggles with the moral implications of their existence. Plus, his demise is way more dramatic than anyone else's. I'm not saying he's a good guy. But he's definitely the most interesting.

Team Jenner all the way!

(Just kidding... mostly.)

The Great Owl: Wise or Just Scary?

And finally, The Great Owl. He's supposed to be wise and knowledgeable. But he's also a giant, predatory bird! He's basically the rat equivalent of asking a shark for swimming lessons.

Sure, he gives good advice. But the whole interaction is so terrifying! I’m not sure I'd trust a creature whose diet consists primarily of rodents. Maybe he’s wise, or maybe he’s just playing the long game. You never know.

So, there you have it. My (possibly controversial) take on the characters of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH. Agree? Disagree? Let the debate begin!