Finding powerful women in literature, just as in movies and television, come few and far between. When we find them, we want to recognize them for all their worth.
Flavorwire recently published a list of their top 10 most powerful women in literature, and we want to know your thoughts on their choices.
1. Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre
2. Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series
3. The Wife of Bath in The Canterbury Tales
4. Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games trilogy
5. Hester Prynne in The Scarlet Letter
6. Éowyn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy
7. Lyra Silvertongue in His Dark Materials trilogy
8. Janie Crawford in Their Eyes Were Watching God series
9. Hua Mulan in The Ballad of Mulan
10. Lisbeth Salander in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo trilogy
Who’s missing from this list? Who doesn’t belong?
Have you read all of the books on this list? (You deserve a medal.)
image credit Lionsgate
Angie Lynch is the founder and managing editor of the powerhouse women’s literary community, Smut Book Club. She is a Native Floridian without a tan, probably because she spends her days hard at work on the magical internet. For the past several years, Angie has worked way too hard at building clout as an influencer in food and margaritas as well as being a source for laughable pop culture commentary. You can read more from Angie on her blog, A Whole Lot of Nothing.
Janie Crawford is a BADASS.
They’re limiting themselves by only focusing on primary female characters and completely overlooking secondary female characters who may have more to offer. For example, there are many strong female characters in the Harry Potter series. The strongest of whom being Molly Weasley. I don’t want to ruin the story for anyone who might not have read it, but in an interview, Jo Rowling was asked about Molly’s actions at the end of the movie, and she said Molly was an incredibly powerful witch whom everyone undervalued because she chose to raise a family rather than work outside the home, and she wanted Molly to show that strength.
In the Hunger Games, it’s Paylor. From the moment she was introduced, I knew she was the one I wanted leading Panem. Her integrity, her dedication to her beliefs, and her refusal to compromise those beliefs make her an incredibly powerful figure.
Love Jane Eyre. Love Eowyn. I am conflicted about Lisbeth Salandar. There is no doubt that she is a strong character. Ass kicking. But abrasive and aggressive. And her strength is a shield hiding a vulnerable girl. Not true strength. False bravado. But she does pick herself up and keep going no matter what life throws at her.
Lyra Silvertongue? No. First of all, she’s a child. With a child’s curiousity. I feel she blundered into most things, rather than making choices. Being strong is about making choices. I found her annoying and obnoxious. I don’t even understand why she’s included on this list.
They’re missing Elisabeth Bennett. A woman who spoke her mind in a time when women were best seen and not heard. And Scarlett O’Hara. Who may have been a soft Georgia magnolia when the story begins, but she has a steel spine and will fight for what’s hers.
That’s all I can think of for now. I’m sure there are more that will come to me as I’m laying in bed tonight NOT SLEEPING. AGAIN.
Anne Elliot in Persuasion. She had to take care of a lot. I thought Elisabeth Bennett but she didn’t really have to sacrifice anything and I think Anne was even stronger than her since her family were such jerks!
I like this list, but there are definitely some characters that are missing. Molly Weasley from Harry Potter was an amazing, strong woman, as was Scarlett O’Hara and Scout Finch. I would also add Karana from Island of the Blue Dolphins to the list, as well as Suyuan Woo from the Joy Luck Club.
I haven’t read all of these, but I agree with the ones I have read. I’m currently reading the Mistborn series and I would definitely have to add Vin.
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