23rd and Dexter

It was a real treat to talk to four Seymours, representing three generations, about their favorite fictional characters. 

Ben Seymour, who owns a video production firm that counts among its clients the National Renewal Energy Lab in Golden, said he would like to chat with Tom Joad, from The Grapes of Wrath. “To me he is the stalwart American, the guy who perseveres despite everything going wrong around him. If he were here I’d ask where that strength to keep going comes from.”

Ben’s mother, Dee Seymour, taught high school English for 37 years, including stints at several DPS schools. She had to think hard about which fictional character she would like to materialize beside her. “Atticus Finch, from To Kill a Mockingbird. He had so much ability and humility. To me, the most dramatic point in the book is when Atticus has to shoot the rabid dog. It showed his children that he was not only smart, but brave.” Dee thought the ending of the book was genuine. “If his client had been found not guilty, it would ring false.”

Brooks Seymour, age 8, a student at Park Hill Elementary, would like to share notes, in person, with Harry Potter. “He’s a magical person. I believe in magic. Someday I will learn how to do magic.” What would Brooks ask Harry? “Is Hogwarts a fun school?”

Wesley Seymour, age 3, would like to meet the Gold Bug, from the Richard Scarry books. Wesley succinctly summarized the Gold Bug’s modus operandi: “He hides.”