", "I was 'seen,' " cried Arrietty. For she had triumphed again. From classics like Pride and Prejudice to new YA fiction like The Hate U Give, this list will inspire you to stand up for those around you, trust your instincts and be your own hero. A feminist before the word was even invented, she never lets herself be dominated by a man and, in a very controversial move for the time, she only agrees to marriage once she knows theyll be equals.

I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person.

Reminisce over the characters you admired as a child and explore strong women's place in history - from the bawdy Wife of Bath to the wit of Much Ado About Nothing's Beatrice. She isn't afraid to take charge and is the definition of "BOSS not bossy." Esperanzas ambition and observational nature is both touching and enamoring. Ashley Perez, My mom got me into reading the book series.

Driadonna Roland, I identified with Anne so much. He could not deny it. Simon Crerar, Overall as a female character, she wasn't focused on being pretty and she wasn't afraid to play with the boys and get messy. There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. From the opening book in Suzanne Collins Hunger Games trilogy, when she steps forward to take part in a violent battle in order to protect her sister, Katniss shows courage and grit. From the way she sacrifices herself for her sister, her determination in the games themselves, and the way she steps up to lead a revolution whilst battling against PTSD, she is always putting others before herself and fighting for what she knows is right. Its a brilliant fantasy series, full of magic, mystery and killer characters.

Her character development was stunning. Although the movie has many flaws, I just love Karen's personality.

", Dangerous Liaisons by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, "The shame love causes is like its pain; we only feel it once.

I'm glad for everything. Were well awareshes in love withObinze. In an alternate universe, Hermione Granger wouldve definitely been the protagonist of this acclaimed series. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies.

"The small girl smiles. To redeem, copy and paste the code during the checkout process. It is perfectly obvious that God has special regard for it when all these wretched people who destroyed the whole Kingdom - now recovered and made safe by a woman, something that 5,000 men could not have done - and the traitors exterminated. Sophie breaks hearts but she the ultimate girl crush: stunning, intelligent, and elusive. When push comes to shove, her pragmatism and quick-thinking come out in full force, making her a formidable contestant in the games. She wont let anyone define who she is, and instead forges her own path. We recently asked our editors "Who was the first strong female character in literature you related to?". About Research Contact Donate Support Community. Fiddle-dee-dee.

In a world where women are treated as little more than objects, June manages to maintain a sense of self-identity and purpose that gives her strength and power.

I also love the fact that despite Lizzie living in a world that just wasn't fair to women (they had to marry, they couldn't inherit, and were often regarded as silly) she never let that stop her from speaking her mind. Lionsgate Want great book recommendations in your inbox every week? I love that shes strong, opinionated, and stands up for what she thinks is right. But more importantly, she taught herself telekinesis and messed with people in hilariously clever ways (but only if they deserved it, because the girl had a surprisingly flawless moral compass). Megan Paolone, Before I learned to read, I memorized a number of Madeline books and insisted on reciting them nightly. Tris bravery and determination really define her as a character, especially when shes faced with difficult decisions about where she belongs and who she wants to be. Hermione helped me embrace my inner nerd, and I never again felt too embarrassed to put my hand up in class to answer a question. the wilderness needs your whole attention., "Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way. Susie Armitage, I loved Hermione Granger from the moment she introduced herself on the Hogwarts Express. I am afraid you have had very little experience in how to propose. That was how onself really was! These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent.

Hannah Gregg, Lisbeth has one of the fiercest moral codes I've ever seen in books or film. Rowling loves black Hermione ), Hermiones fight against prejudice is even more real. Hester Shaw is not your traditional female in an action plot.

But when the mysterious jazz singer Shug Avery comes to stay, Celie discovers friendship, love, faith and more importantly, strength. She lives by her own rules and sticks to what she believes in.

It's the living that I fear. We are experiencing technical difficulties. Headstrong Scarlett isnt always likeable but shes a survivor.

By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. If ever there was a woman who lived by her own rules, it was her. ", Aurora Leigh by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Despite having no heritage of magic in her ancestry, Hermione was a gifted wizard whose magic came more naturally to her than most.

We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. She is determined to raise her daughter, Pearl, even in her solemn solitude. Sign up for news about books, authors, and more from Penguin Random House, Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network. The very best of these heroines are not perfect people, they're flawed and vulnerable, just like we all are. Being shunned by the entire community as a sinful adulterer while having to raise a child alone is no easy feat.

It was not a healthy coming out but it was also found out by my parents, I didnt come out to them they found out [], We are working over a year now and at first i did not care about her, in fact she was totally invisible to me and i even may have been rude to her like not giving a damn what she was talking about when she spoke to me. She was stubborn and self-conscious, but so determined, smart, and caring. While Hazel might get physically weaker throughout the novel, she really grows mentally and emotionally. A master of disguise and manipulation, Adler is able to trick her way out of almost any situation even outsmarting the great Holmes in A Scandal in Bohemia. Margaret Mitchells epic tome has got everything you want in a book: love, drama, tragedy - plus one of the greatest lines of all time, Frankly my dear, I dont give a damn'.

Which literary female do you most identify with? The beautiful and noble Arwen is going to the Sadie Hawkins Dance with us. Melba describes having acid thrown in her face, losing friends who were scared to associate with her, and the terror of having to be escorted to school every day by guards who may or may not have wanted her to be there either. Ive been debating this for a while now and I dont know what to do about it.

In a mans world, she is able to fend for herself without relying on anybody to rescue her. Rebellious and forthright, the way Jo lives her life is a lesson in following your heart rather than conventions. I came out in 9th grade as lesbian after I broke up with the guy I was going out with. The second of two non-fiction woman in our list, Anne Frank is truly inspirational.

Sadness was a dangerous as panthers and bears.

She did not allow her Muggle (human) background to define who she wanted to become and through hard work and determination, went on to help Harry Potter defeat the Dark Lord with her wealth of magical knowledge, earning her place as one of the greatest witches in the wizarding world (and proving that studying hard to achieve your dreams is more than alright).

Jina Moore, I loved Sara from A Little Princess.

Wed take the fabulous and fun Holly Golightly to Tiffanys and spoil her anytime she wants.

While she may not be the protagonist, Beatrice is one of the most delightful and memorable characters in this comedic play and, arguably, in all of Shakespeare's works. Discover unique things to do, places to eat, and sights to see in the best destinations around the world with Bring Me! That was life! All they have is a lot of dull work and stupid clothes and corns and nincum tax. How long you have been about it! Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. She doesnt conform to the stereotypes expected of girls her age, and instead climbs trees and enjoys adventures with her brother and their friend. There are so many strong, fascinatingleading ladies in literature that capture our heart, but we hope the girls listed below ask us to dance. Duchess (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), Fanny Campbell, the Female Pirate Captain, Helen Graham (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Female_characters_in_literature&oldid=1095375263, Template Category TOC via CatAutoTOC on category with 301600 pages, CatAutoTOC generates standard Category TOC, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 June 2022, at 00:55.

Shes ditzy and prone to pratfalls but theres so much more to Bridget than that. A six-year-old child might seem an odd narrator for a serious book like To Kill A Mockingbird, which tackles racial inequality. Rebellious, ruthless and smart Arya Stark is really not one to be messed with. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Reporting on what you care about. I have a question: how do I know if Im bi? She's a brilliant character: bold and funny but also vulnerable and flawed. Why, I'm glad now I lost my legs for a while, for you never, never know how perfectly lovely legs are till you haven't got them--that go, I mean.

I don't think it's all as awful as you're trying to make out. Elizabeth fights for her own happiness and is headstrong in her beliefs, such as marrying for love instead of for money or status, which was unfathomable for a Victorian society that saw marriage as purely transactional. In so many books and TV shows I consumed later, the "it" girl assumed her position because she was manipulative, or a flirt, or a suck-up, but everyone looked up to Madeline because she was actually cool. Scout is the youngest of our inspiring women being only 5 years old when the novel begins. She was smart and she was a leader.

I agree with them, but then immediately afterwards, I also remember that I'm bisexual and [], for as long as i can remember, ive been objectified by men. Of the four March sisters, Jo is the most appealing: we love her for her bravery, spirit and knowing her own mind. Julia Pugachevsky, I'm not sure if this counts because it's non-fiction, but in sixth grade my English teacher suggested I read Warriors Don't Cry. Read These 6 Things. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website.

Lisbeth is asmart, cool, kickass womanand we cant stop thinking about her.

Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Hillary Reinsberg, I was obsessed with Narnia when I was small so Lucy Pevensie was an early and inspirational example of a woman (well a girl) bravely going where men feared to tread. But then this huge wide world opens up to her and all of a sudden there are so many possibilities! Although the stakes are high, the feisty teenager stays true to herself. She cares deeply for her friends and family, and does what she can to stand up against an immoral and unjust society. Liesel Meminger is smart, brave and not afraid to speak her mind. You think wrong!

She was a great example of a strong woman who made peace with her suffering and displayed the subtle power of a genteel heroine. Shes also really caring, and always tries to see the good in people, despite what life throws at her. Despite being an orphan and never having a real home, Annes love for life is refreshing and inspiring, showing that it's not what you have in life that matters but what you make of it. meeting the anglerfish on the other side.. I've been a bold traveller ever since. Her savage repartee with Benedick honestly puts some of the 21st-century Twitter fights to shame. At the heart of it, Jo is a free spirit who wishes to read, write, travel and learn as much as she can. She is physically and mentally strong, always pushing herself and those around her to be the best they can be. Cates Holderness, She teaches that strength, compassion, bravery, love, and courage are the basis of true strength. She faces down prejudice with determination, compassion and skill, and is always there for her friends. In an age when women were reliant on men for financial security and safety, Elizabeth doesnt let that phase her, calling out toxic masculinity and privilege, and refusing to settle for anyone who doesnt respect her or her opinions. Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! Basically a total badass. Do you think shed Netflix and chill with us? Charlotte Bront was recently voted the most popular novelist of all time in a survey of British women. "[S]he could not say it as she looked at him she began to smile, for though she had not said a word, he knew, of course he knew, that she loved him. Ariane Lange, I always loved the idea of her overcoming adversity by reading books. And obvs, she's a writer so that's awesome. She calls out sexism when she sees it, and she literally laughs in the face off one of the most terrifying creatures in Middle Earth, killing the Lord of the Nazgul in one of the most epic battle scenes in the series. ", "I must uphold my ideals, for perhaps the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out.

Katniss is resourceful, guarded and fiercely loyal to the ones she loves. She comes and goes whenever she wants, and wont let any man tell her what to do. ", "Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain and little, I am soulless and heartless? What honour for the female sex! We may feign it afterwards, but we do not feel it. If you havent read The Kingkiller Chronicles yet, you need to get on it ASAP. And although Emma Watson plays a good Hermione in the films, book Hermione is definitely a more interesting and nuanced character plus, when shes read as a woman of colour (to quote JK Canon: brown eyes, frizzy hair and very clever.

A pint-sized inspiration! The simpering cries of damsels in distress can be found in acres of texts - but not the ones Stylist is looking at in this gallery of literature's strongest female characters. Papa was 'seen.'

There is a kind of physical joy in how she's portrayed, inhabiting her own body and embracing that messiness rather than staying neatly within the lines.

It seemed to her that she must have made a mistake, have misunderstood in some way or another. It turns out you dont have to look like the conventional stereotype to be a kickass hero. Not only does she hold her ground in a world dominated by men, she stands up for the oppressed and uses her power to bring freedom, justice and change for the people that deserve it. We just adore Harriet and hercurious, passionate, truth-telling ways. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Female characters depicted in literature. Image:

I noticed it first in 10th grade (Im in 12th now) as I started to really notice certain girls. And would that I might endure his agony, as well as mine!

Pride and Prejudice is an absolute classic, for good reason. The following 200 pages are in this category, out of approximately 392 total. In the words of the narrator: Deciding to take her on was akin to a fish deciding idly to gobble up that pretty light bobbing in the shadows and then OH GOD THE TEETH THE HORROR!

", "Marriage, fun? While she can be cold and cunning, we cant help but admire Mathildes intelligence, drive and sophistication.

Another incredibly strong female character in the Harry Potter series Hermione is arguably the true hero of the books.

Her brother Edmund refused to believe she she had discovered a magical land via a wardrobe, and looked rather silly when she was later crowned Queen of Narnia. Celie is a 14-year-old Black girl living in poverty, separated from her sister and suffering abuse at the hands of her father. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google.

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Deena Shanker, Ive always felt a connection to Elphaba. Despite the major embarrassment of having her innermost secrets revealed to the people she least wants to share them with, Lara Jean faces her fears and embarrassment head on. OK,she has issues, but we love her ability to fight for herself. She's well-known for her outspoken nature amongst family members and the townspeople, a startling contrast to the typically demure and compliant female ideals of the time. Even though she experiences loss and pain very early on in her life she doesnt let that defeat her, and instead she learns how to channel her anger to stick up for herself and for the people around her. Not who others want her to be. rawpixel. She was imaginative, ambitious, competitive, smart, loved reading and writing, and totally rocked the red hair and freckles (even if she accidentally turned her hair green that one time). Nora Ephron, I feel like there is no one who understands me like Lizzie Bennett.

Sandra Allen, For a girl in the 19th century, she was a huge badass.

Rachel Sanders, She is not really fictional but Karen Blixen from Out of Africa, the book and the movie. Click here for more stories on women empowerment.

In the end, she not only manages to survive the Hunger Games but also uses the Capitols own system against them to liberate herself and others.

Hermione Granger, The Harry Potter series. Strong, thoughtful and kind, Matilda knows the difference between right and wrong. One of only two real-life women in our list Malala almost paid the ultimate price for standing up for her right to education and speaking out against the Taliban.

A character youre in love with. (LOL but also TRUE.)

Most people would break under that psychological pressure and humiliation but Hesters legacy lies in the strength of her character.

", The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, "Tis impossible to know what woman is thoroughly honest, because she's ne'er thoroughly tried; I am of that certain belief there are more queans in this town of their own making than of any man's provoking. With the sharpest tongue in Avonlea, Anne tackles each obstacle in her way, one sassy remark at a time. Dealing with things that no teenager should have to go through, she demonstrates true courage with humour and determination. Cimorene is a total BAMF who a) runs away from her parents when they try to make her marry a dopey prince, b) gets a job and moves into a cave with a delightfully sassy talking dragon, c) refuses to be rescued, d) makes friends with a cool witch, and e) ends up saving the day, which I won't go into because you should find out the details for yourself. Wolves and bears outside her door, riding horses bareback, never wearing shoes or a sunbonnet, and especially luring Nellie Oleson into the creek to get eaten by crabs and leeches Plus as a kid it was a huge thing to me that she grew up to be a famous writer! When I read the book, I loved the idea that even though someone totally different and unique could not only succeed, but would be willing to turn her back on success for something she believed in. The rise of the massive popularity of young adult books have brought a whole slew of kick-ass young heroines. This category has the following 11 subcategories, out of 11 total. Her bravery in the face of racism and classism sets an inspiring precedent for children and young adults everywhere.

Hesters circumstances expose the extent to which society will punish a woman for her sensuality and devious nature: she is made to wear the red A that marks her as an adulterer, to atone for her 'sins', for the rest of her life. Jenna Guillaume, Jo from Little Women is smart, impulsive, argumentative, and willing to do anything for her family, even cut all of her hair off to raise some cash. Daenerys Targaryen is one of the most badass characters ever written the Unburnt, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Breaker of Chains and Mother of Dragons, her title literally says it all.