Ten Favorite Female Literary Characters
1. Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
"If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust; the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should - so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again."
2. China Sorrows - The Skulduggery Pleasant series, by Derek Landy
The material of her gorgeous skirt was soft and tight. Completely impractical for fighting. The heels of her gorgeous shoes were high and thin. Completely impractical for fleeing. For one dizzying moment, China found herself envying the rather vulgar style of Tanith Lowe, constantly attired as she was in the clothes of a common brawler-- leather and boots and straps and buckles.
Then China came to her senses. All that leather may prove useful once in awhile, but class was a gift that gave eternally.
3. Beatrice - Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare
"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man. And he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man-- I am not for him."
4. Mary Russell - The Mary Russell series, by Laurie King
This concept of women and children fleeing danger was a thing I did not at all care for.
5. Harriet Vane - The Peter Wimsey series, by Dorothy L. Sayers
The best remedy for a bruised heart is not, as so many people seem to think, repose upon a manly bosom. Much more efficacious are honest work, physical activity, and the sudden acquisition of wealth. After being acquitted of murdering her lover, and, indeed, in consequence of that acquittal, Harriet Vane found all three specifics abundantly at her disposal; and although Lord Peter Wimsey, with a touching faith in tradition, persisted day in and day out in presenting the bosom for her approval, she showed no inclination to recline upon it.
6. Elizabeth Bennet - Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen
"I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy.
"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes that which is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."
7. Irene Adler - "A Scandal in Bohemia," by Arthur Conan Doyle
And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman.
8. Scout Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Calpurnia seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl.
9. Elinor Dashwood - Sense & Sensibility, by Jane Austen
"You talk of feeling idle and useless. Imagine how that is compounded when one has no hope, no choice of any occupation whatsoever... You will inherit your fortune. We cannot even earn ours."
10. Arya Stark - A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin
A long time ago, she remembered her father saying that when the cold winds blow the lone wolf dies and the pack survives. He had it all backwards. Arya, the lone wolf, still lived, but the wolves of the pack had been taken and slain and skinned.
"If people were always kind and obedient to those who are cruel and unjust; the wicked people would have it all their own way: they would never feel afraid, and so they would never alter, but would grow worse and worse. When we are struck at without a reason, we should strike back again very hard; I am sure we should - so hard as to teach the person who struck us never to do it again."
2. China Sorrows - The Skulduggery Pleasant series, by Derek Landy
The material of her gorgeous skirt was soft and tight. Completely impractical for fighting. The heels of her gorgeous shoes were high and thin. Completely impractical for fleeing. For one dizzying moment, China found herself envying the rather vulgar style of Tanith Lowe, constantly attired as she was in the clothes of a common brawler-- leather and boots and straps and buckles.
Then China came to her senses. All that leather may prove useful once in awhile, but class was a gift that gave eternally.
3. Beatrice - Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare
"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man. And he that is more than a youth is not for me, and he that is less than a man-- I am not for him."
4. Mary Russell - The Mary Russell series, by Laurie King
This concept of women and children fleeing danger was a thing I did not at all care for.
5. Harriet Vane - The Peter Wimsey series, by Dorothy L. Sayers
The best remedy for a bruised heart is not, as so many people seem to think, repose upon a manly bosom. Much more efficacious are honest work, physical activity, and the sudden acquisition of wealth. After being acquitted of murdering her lover, and, indeed, in consequence of that acquittal, Harriet Vane found all three specifics abundantly at her disposal; and although Lord Peter Wimsey, with a touching faith in tradition, persisted day in and day out in presenting the bosom for her approval, she showed no inclination to recline upon it.
6. Elizabeth Bennet - Pride & Prejudice, by Jane Austen
"I wonder who first discovered the efficacy of poetry in driving away love!"
"I have been used to consider poetry as the food of love," said Darcy.
"Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. Every thing nourishes that which is strong already. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away."
7. Irene Adler - "A Scandal in Bohemia," by Arthur Conan Doyle
And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman.
8. Scout Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
Calpurnia seemed glad to see me when I appeared in the kitchen, and by watching her I began to think there was some skill involved in being a girl.
9. Elinor Dashwood - Sense & Sensibility, by Jane Austen
"You talk of feeling idle and useless. Imagine how that is compounded when one has no hope, no choice of any occupation whatsoever... You will inherit your fortune. We cannot even earn ours."
10. Arya Stark - A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin
A long time ago, she remembered her father saying that when the cold winds blow the lone wolf dies and the pack survives. He had it all backwards. Arya, the lone wolf, still lived, but the wolves of the pack had been taken and slain and skinned.