Booking through Thursday #9

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?)

When I first read this question, the name that popped into my head was Scarlett O'Hara. I have had a love affair with this character and all her flaws since fourth grade when I watched the movie in the theatre with some girlfriends. Oh I know, Scarlett is selfish and self-absorbed, but she is also independent, strong willed, persistant, courageous and a risk taker. Most of these qualities are associated with men, not women, in older literature. It was refreshing for me as a young adolescent to see that women could be all that and more. Scarlett's flaws just make her more loveable in my eyes. Her experiences showed me that being human means taking failure with success...and just to push through.

Other women characters I admire would be Elizabeth Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. She is a lady who is comfortable in her own skin, despite what society (and her mother) expect of her.

Then there is Anne of Green Gables. She is merely a girl when her story begins but her love of live, drama, imagination and desire to be loved leads us, the reader, on a journey of human experience. She is very endearing.

Herominie Granger is another female character I just adore. Watching her grow up through the Harry Potter series, she stands out as someone who possesses many qualities I find necessary in the real world. She is kind, compassionate (do not forget her fighting for the rights of house elves), smart, devious and commited. She morphs before our eyes and grows into these traits along the way.

My list would not be complete without Jo March from Little Women.
She is another female character who is not your typical flower. She is strong willed, lively, a writer, energetic, almost tom-boyish in nature. She has an intense love of family that will not be denied. And once again she is not afraid to live by her rules and not those decided for her by society.

I am noticing a theme here...most of my beloved female characters are ladies who buck the system and live by her own rules and not that which has been decided is right for ladies. Is that my subconscious rebelling to the establishment? LOL I do know that I am drawn to those that believe strongly in themselves and follow their dreams wherever that may take them.

Who is your favorite female character?
Check out Booking through Thursday for more favorite heroines.