28 February 2008

Heroine

Who is your favorite female lead character? And why? (And yes, of course, you can name more than one . . . I always have trouble narrowing down these things to one name, why should I force you to?)

I've been giving this some thought today, and overall, my choices are Jo March in Little Women and Anne Shirley from the Anne of Green Gables series. They appeal(ed) to me because both of them loved to read and write. They both had a tendency to be dramatic, which I must admit is also something I tend towards (my mother used to call me Sarah Bernhardt when I was a little girl). I envied Jo March her "garret" because I had no idea what that meant, but it sounded perfect if it was someplace you could go to be left alone. And I never really understood Anne Shirley's desire to have lots of friends, since I preferred being left alone for the most part (still do). But mostly, they seemed real to me, and I understood a lot of their thoughts and feelings.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I never have read the Green Gables books but I'm right there with you on Jo March.

Romi said...

Hmmmmmm. But what about Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice? ;)

Carol said...

Carrie -- You must go out and read it immediately. Seriously.

Love the new look! Easier on me old eyes, darlin'.

Wendy said...

Jo March has totally shaped my world - I can't even tell you how many times I've read Little Women, and how it is still my favorite book.

W

Anonymous said...

Anne and Jo were right there with me throughout childhood. I found in the end, though that I went for women who had influenced my adulthood more.

teabird said...

Jo March did change the world for women - every one of us who ever locked ourselves in a room with apples and a pen -

Great choice!

Claudia Bugh said...

Make that another vote for Elizabeth Bennett. She gets my vote because of her self confidence, ability to handle a difficult mother, and being a good friend!

the wicked witch of the east said...

that's 3 for lizzie bennett. she is the quintessential modern woman. my second would be madam defarge from "a tale of two cities" because she's a deranged genius.