Comments on: 8 Literary Heroines: Sisters Doin’ It For Themselves

By: Betty

Betty — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 04:17:00 +0000

Since someone mentioned dragons, and touched on sci-fi (L’Engle), I’d like to add Lessa from Anne McCaffrey’s “Dragonriders of Pern” series. Single-handedly (well, with her dragon) saved her planet.

Not literature, but Anne Perry is also awesome, and the main characters of her first two series were strong women in Victorian London: Charlotte Pitt and Hester Latterly Monk.

By: SJ

SJ — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 23:01:00 +0000

Great list, I agree with them all!

My all time favorite heroine has to be Amelia Peabody Emerson, from the series of books by Elizabeth Peters (the first is titled ‘The Crocodile on the Sandbank’). A Victorian woman who nevertheless speaks her mind and is happy to go toe-to-toe with her archaeologist husband. I adore her so much and reread those books constantly. A must for any mystery fan!

By: erin

erin — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:31:00 +0000

I am shocked, appalled and saddened that Emma Bovary was not mentioned. And Scarlett O’Hara. These are the 2 ultimate literary heroines. They took charge during times when women never took charge.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Oh yeah, How could I forget the Melba Patillo Beals from “Warriors don’t Cry” Her Grandmother, a matriarchal heroine!!

By: Elizabeth Lopez

Elizabeth Lopez — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:57:00 +0000

I like Princess Jasmine from Disney’s “Aladdin”. When men are fighting for her she says, “I am not a prize to be won” She follows her heart.

In real life, I admire Olivia Harrison, George Harrison’s widow. She defended her husband and kicked some ass, I mean, there was no gender roles in their relationship, and that’s what’s awesome.

Back to literature, I like Rachel and Cassie from the “Animorphs” series. They
re different, but they strong minded for 13 year olds.

I wish I could hear of more older female role models in life and literature, if seems the spontaneity dissolves.

By: JoanofArctangent

JoanofArctangent — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 05:28:00 +0000

I have to add Gemma Doyle from Libba Bray’s Rebel Angel series. Smart, brave, loyal, and she defies the limitations set upon women in Victorian England. Awesome literary character, even if they are newer books! I mean, I figure if someone can put Bella Swan (who is cool in her own ways), then Ms. Doyle definitely deserves to be added, as well. :)

By: Paula

Paula — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:32:00 +0000

Pippi Longstocking! Just read an article by Tiina Meri on a Swedish site: “Swedish Rebel, and Feminist Role Model…Pippi Longstocking is in truth an unusual young girl. She is financially independent since she owns a sackful of gold pieces. She can shoot a revolver and sail on the seven seas. She is both cheeky and kind, she can carry a horse and she can outlift the strongest man in the world, Mighty Adolph.”

By: kate

kate — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:03:00 +0000

What a fantastic article, even though I’m days late reading it. Thanks!

Props to so many for recognizing Fanny. She doesn’t have the wit of Elizabeth, and her convictions are more old-fashioned than what is commonly lauded in modern heroines. But she knew what she was about, and stuck to her convictions. Sounds like a strong heroine to me!

I’m torn about Scarlett O’Hara on here. If you’re looking for “strong female protagonists kicking some serious behind”, you’ve got to put her on her. Yes, she’s sometimes breathtakingly, audaciously bad/selfish/cruel–but she pretty much single-handedly saves her family and circle of friends in the wake of the Civil War. She’s got a lot of bad qualities, but at the end of the day, she’s loyal and really, really tough. (The complexity of characters in that book is really amazing–everyone is deeply flawed, but has some (occasionally surprising) redeeming characteristics. Not unlike real people.)

And I’ll disagree with the negative assessments of the recent P&P. After a senior project studying all of the Austen novel adaptations, I’ve come to appreciate different adaptations for different reasons. Yes, the 1995 miniseries is pretty much untouchable, and Firth=Darcy forever. But for a two-hour version, I thought the Keira Knightley version was quite good, mostly faithful to the book, and very well cast.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:41:00 +0000

keeker & everyone else who said this: yes, the “old” pride and prejudice was the best, and i believe jennifer ehle was certainly far more convincing than keira knightley (however awesome keira knightley is).

sandi: totally agree vis-a-vis fanny from mansfield park. fanny is definitely one of those quietly strong heroines that never ever compromises her beliefs.

By: Ben

Ben — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:06:00 +0000

where is lyra from the golden compass series?
she runs away from her evil stepmother, goes north on a dangerous expedition to save her best friend, gets captured by slave traders, goes to an institution where they pretty much kill kids for science, leads a break out and then helps defeat an evil talking bear, then goes to a different world after seeing said best friend get killed by her own father. and thats only the first book