There are many popular heroines in literature that defy gender stereotypes. While often used as simple plot devices or two-dimensional props, many books with female protagonists explore the depth, wit, and complications of a heroine and women's role in culture. Stories such as 'Little Women', and 'The Hunger Games' are good examples.
Louisa May Alcott's lead from 'Little Women' did much to break the gender mold in literature when it was published. Jo rebels constantly against the expectations of women in her day, and remains one of the most endearing tomboys in cultural memory. Alcott's character inspired many other writers, both men and women, to utilize strong women as their lead character.
A more recent take on the tomboy theme is Hermione Granger heroine to the wildly successful Harry Potter series. Precocious at fist glance, Hermione matures throughout the story to be intelligent, temperamental, and arguably the most interesting of the book's triad of main characters. Hermione comes from a non-wizard family, making her a bit of an anomaly at Hogwart's Castle, and also drawing the ire of some of the story's villains.
In Suzanne Collins' 'The Hunger Games' stories, Katniss Everdeen is a strong, stubborn, and flawed lead character. Katniss uses her wits and experiences from her difficult upbringing to survive a violent game in which the players are pitted against each other to the death. Forced into life and death decisions, Katniss doubts herself and her ability to survive the games without losing herself.
Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' stars a precocious and curious young girl who finds herself trapped in a bizarre fairy land where everyone and everything is backwards and upside down, metaphorically speaking. Alice wanders from one misadventure to the next, trying to bring sense and logic to this bizarre world. Her adventuresome spirit drives her throughout the story.
From Stephanie Plum to Dorthoy in 'The Wizard Of Oz', literature is full of wonderful examples of women characters who take control of their own fate and defy the male authority figures around them. books with female protagonists are fun to read because they break conventional stereotypes. This not only makes for interesting stories, but memorable characters that have endured for decades.
Louisa May Alcott's lead from 'Little Women' did much to break the gender mold in literature when it was published. Jo rebels constantly against the expectations of women in her day, and remains one of the most endearing tomboys in cultural memory. Alcott's character inspired many other writers, both men and women, to utilize strong women as their lead character.
A more recent take on the tomboy theme is Hermione Granger heroine to the wildly successful Harry Potter series. Precocious at fist glance, Hermione matures throughout the story to be intelligent, temperamental, and arguably the most interesting of the book's triad of main characters. Hermione comes from a non-wizard family, making her a bit of an anomaly at Hogwart's Castle, and also drawing the ire of some of the story's villains.
In Suzanne Collins' 'The Hunger Games' stories, Katniss Everdeen is a strong, stubborn, and flawed lead character. Katniss uses her wits and experiences from her difficult upbringing to survive a violent game in which the players are pitted against each other to the death. Forced into life and death decisions, Katniss doubts herself and her ability to survive the games without losing herself.
Lewis Carroll's 'Alice in Wonderland' stars a precocious and curious young girl who finds herself trapped in a bizarre fairy land where everyone and everything is backwards and upside down, metaphorically speaking. Alice wanders from one misadventure to the next, trying to bring sense and logic to this bizarre world. Her adventuresome spirit drives her throughout the story.
From Stephanie Plum to Dorthoy in 'The Wizard Of Oz', literature is full of wonderful examples of women characters who take control of their own fate and defy the male authority figures around them. books with female protagonists are fun to read because they break conventional stereotypes. This not only makes for interesting stories, but memorable characters that have endured for decades.
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