We can live and laugh thanks to literature. Every book we hold in our hands gives us a new perspective on life. Films have made us crazy about male characters, but literature gave us heroines who were ahead of their time. They taught us to be kind, powerful, talented, independent, and most importantly, they taught us to love ourselves. Let’s take a look at some of these female characters who defied stereotypes.
Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing
We can learn a lot from William Shakespeare’s comedy play about love and marriage. Beatrice’s character was that of a fiery, witty woman. Many critics hailed her as a contemporary feminist and considered her ahead of her time. She never backed down from standing up for what she thought was right.
Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind
The movie has a scene where Scarlett tells a man that “I’m tired of pretending I don’t know anything, so men can tell me things and feel important while they’re doing it.” This perfectly describes Scarlett’s character. In Margaret Mitchell’s book, Scarlett is a character who wants to explore her powers. She doesn’t hide her intelligence, strength, or beliefs from the world. She goes far beyond societal constraints.
Jo March from Little Women
Little Women is undoubtedly a masterpiece. It is the story of four sisters exploring womanhood in their own way. Josephine March, known as Jo March, was the second of four sisters who stood by her principles. This girl was stubborn, tempered, willful and not what one would expect of a girl of her age. She always wanted to become an author and be independent. She always had big dreams and had the ability to pursue her dreams.
Lizzie Bennet from Pride and Prejudice
A book of rebels, Pride and Prejudice. Lizzie, whose full name is Elizabeth, is the second oldest daughter of the Bennetts. Unlike her sisters, she chose love over money and power. It was important to her that marriage be a companionship, not a beauty contest. Rather than marrying someone without love, she would rather stay single. It shows that a woman with feelings and willpower can stand up for herself.
Janie Crawford from Their Eyes Were Watching God
Jane Crawford is portrayed as a weak woman who stands up for her rights in the 1937 novel by Zora Neale Hurston. Even though she was in an unhappy and abusive marriage, she still held on to her belief that she would eventually get out of it and lead a peaceful life. She ultimately made it through the tragedy and got what she deserved. Her example taught us to never give up.
Do you have a story about a woman who lived life on her own terms?
