The Heroine: A Strong Female Character
The Heroine Figure
Female characters in literature have long been created to represent the stereotypical ideas related to the female gender. This can be seen in a lot of different pieces of literature ranging from classic texts to modern pieces. The woman is confined to fit social norms and embrace their emotions, rather than demonstrate strength and intelligence. In her book, Becoming a Heroine Reading about Women in Novels, Author Rachel M. Brownstein states, “The history of both women and fiction has been influenced by the fact that the self has been identified, in novels, with the feminine”. Although females have always been a part of literature, as time progresses, the Heroine is now on equal footing with any male protagonist in terms of strength and intelligence. The times of the hero rescuing the maiden in distress have expanded and a Heroine can now assume the role of savior from time to time. This can be seen in Hermione from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. In the first book The Sorcerer’s Stone she sates, “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things- Friendship and bravery and-oh Harry- be careful!”(16). Hermione is constantly put in dangerous situations that have transformed her into Harry’s and Ron’s protector. Female characters give a new perspective when they have assumed the important rule of hero.
Although the Heroine is a permanent figure in literature and is widely loved and accepted, there are still many obstacles that authors face when their protagonist is a strong female character. Gender expectations and rules are still expected to be followed to a certain degree by the overall audience. The female character is expected to be attractive, saucy, and maintain a nurturing side. Luckily as Helena Sheffield stated in her article titled, “The Importance of Strong Female Characters” the assurance that all female characters will be faced with romance and turned into emotional wrecks is not always expected. Sheffield states, “Fortunately, a lot of popular fiction today features female characters that are strong and increasingly defined by their personality rather than their looks or relationships with male characters”. This allows a balance for the heroine in terms of a nurturing side. It is to an advantage since a hero is assumed to care for others and save them from distress. In the book Where the Heart is by Billie Letts, the protagonist is an extremely nurturing person. Novalee continued to persevere because of her child. Her child was an important factor that determined her need for success. Yet her character is not only defined by her nurturing side, she is seen as strong because of her desire to survive and endure.
Survival is a key component when defining a strong female character. Survival has long been tied to women in many different ways. In Jane Eyre, Bronte shows Jane’s strength in her ability to survive the harshness of society. Although Jane found security through marriage, she had many obstacles that enhanced her strength and durability throughout the novel. Survival for females has taken new routes in modern texts. Intelligence, physical strength, and mental strength have contributed to the success of survival. Scott O’dell describes a strong girl who demonstrates all of these qualities. Island of the Blue Dolphins is a great example of survival and endurance. Female characters have demonstrated a desire for life and success. They have bridged the gap between genders and who is normally seen as the hero of a story.
Works Cited
Brownstein, Rachel M. Becoming a Heroine: Reading About Women in Novels. New York: Viking Press, 1982. Print.
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print.
Letts, Billie. Where the Heart Is. New York: Warner Books, 1998. Print.
O'Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1960. Print.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997.
Sheffield, Helena . "The Importance Of Strong Female Characters” Feminspire. N.p., 9 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://feminspire.com/the-importance-of-strong-female-characters/>.
Female characters in literature have long been created to represent the stereotypical ideas related to the female gender. This can be seen in a lot of different pieces of literature ranging from classic texts to modern pieces. The woman is confined to fit social norms and embrace their emotions, rather than demonstrate strength and intelligence. In her book, Becoming a Heroine Reading about Women in Novels, Author Rachel M. Brownstein states, “The history of both women and fiction has been influenced by the fact that the self has been identified, in novels, with the feminine”. Although females have always been a part of literature, as time progresses, the Heroine is now on equal footing with any male protagonist in terms of strength and intelligence. The times of the hero rescuing the maiden in distress have expanded and a Heroine can now assume the role of savior from time to time. This can be seen in Hermione from the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. In the first book The Sorcerer’s Stone she sates, “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things- Friendship and bravery and-oh Harry- be careful!”(16). Hermione is constantly put in dangerous situations that have transformed her into Harry’s and Ron’s protector. Female characters give a new perspective when they have assumed the important rule of hero.
Although the Heroine is a permanent figure in literature and is widely loved and accepted, there are still many obstacles that authors face when their protagonist is a strong female character. Gender expectations and rules are still expected to be followed to a certain degree by the overall audience. The female character is expected to be attractive, saucy, and maintain a nurturing side. Luckily as Helena Sheffield stated in her article titled, “The Importance of Strong Female Characters” the assurance that all female characters will be faced with romance and turned into emotional wrecks is not always expected. Sheffield states, “Fortunately, a lot of popular fiction today features female characters that are strong and increasingly defined by their personality rather than their looks or relationships with male characters”. This allows a balance for the heroine in terms of a nurturing side. It is to an advantage since a hero is assumed to care for others and save them from distress. In the book Where the Heart is by Billie Letts, the protagonist is an extremely nurturing person. Novalee continued to persevere because of her child. Her child was an important factor that determined her need for success. Yet her character is not only defined by her nurturing side, she is seen as strong because of her desire to survive and endure.
Survival is a key component when defining a strong female character. Survival has long been tied to women in many different ways. In Jane Eyre, Bronte shows Jane’s strength in her ability to survive the harshness of society. Although Jane found security through marriage, she had many obstacles that enhanced her strength and durability throughout the novel. Survival for females has taken new routes in modern texts. Intelligence, physical strength, and mental strength have contributed to the success of survival. Scott O’dell describes a strong girl who demonstrates all of these qualities. Island of the Blue Dolphins is a great example of survival and endurance. Female characters have demonstrated a desire for life and success. They have bridged the gap between genders and who is normally seen as the hero of a story.
Works Cited
Brownstein, Rachel M. Becoming a Heroine: Reading About Women in Novels. New York: Viking Press, 1982. Print.
Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. New York: Random House, 1943. Print.
Letts, Billie. Where the Heart Is. New York: Warner Books, 1998. Print.
O'Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1960. Print.
Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. New York: Scholastic Press, 1997.
Sheffield, Helena . "The Importance Of Strong Female Characters” Feminspire. N.p., 9 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. <http://feminspire.com/the-importance-of-strong-female-characters/>.