Heroines: They've Grown Up
When I first started writing, I heard a lot about how heroines have changed over the years to reflect society. Today's heroines tend to be bolder, sassier, more independent, career women, etc.
The other night I felt horrible so I popped in an old favorite: The Goonies.
I know it's a kid's movie, but I started to get annoyed with the heroine. In my opinion, the heroine's sidekick deserved heroine status. Sidekick is bold, strong and compassionate (held her weeping heroine friend). Not like the true heroine, who squeals when bats fly through her hair (okay, I know we would all scream, but she did more. She went into hysterics!). The heroine seems weak in every way, while her friend is a bit mouthy but strong. The friend is the kind of heroine I don't mind rooting for.
What qualities do you look for in a heroine?
The other night I felt horrible so I popped in an old favorite: The Goonies.
I know it's a kid's movie, but I started to get annoyed with the heroine. In my opinion, the heroine's sidekick deserved heroine status. Sidekick is bold, strong and compassionate (held her weeping heroine friend). Not like the true heroine, who squeals when bats fly through her hair (okay, I know we would all scream, but she did more. She went into hysterics!). The heroine seems weak in every way, while her friend is a bit mouthy but strong. The friend is the kind of heroine I don't mind rooting for.
What qualities do you look for in a heroine?
Comments
In the recent Disney Prince Caspian movie, Susan fights in the battles. But in the book she doesn't and Aslan tells her the fighting is for the men. C.S. Lewis wrote the book at a time when women weren't yet allowed in the armed forces. But modern movie makers had to make Susan appealing to modern women.
We too, have to appeal to our readers, right? We live in a time when women want to be strong and equal to men. Somehow our heroines have to reflect this.
I was born in the 80s and so I guess it's rooted deep in me that a heroine should be strong in most ways. I know that's not how real life is, and I also want my heroines to be vulnerable. It's a strange mix. I just couldn't believe how annoyed I felt. It was funny.
Today, with duo-income families, careers for both men and women, we women have evolved so to speak to want to be equals to the husband.
But if I'm to be honest, I love that my husband is stronger than me. I worry that he bears many more burdens than I do, but I'm greatful he does, too.
I guess I like my heroines to strive to be the best they can be, the strongest they can be, but I still like when I see them submitting to the hero--seeking his help and counsel. To me, I still like the hero being the strongest.
Now a wimpy heroine...that's not so desirable, I agree.
A sense of humor is nice, too, but I don't think a heroine should be mouthy at all.
One thought came to me - if we all have "strong" heroines . . . will they start to be a class of Stepfords? I think I can handle a weak heroine if she's growing through it; if she has a deep well of emotions to show us. I agree it's hard to like an annoying simpering heroine but as Janna said, relatable, normal.
I watched Washington Square last night with Jennifer Jason Leigh. What a complex heroine. Her weaknesses made her compelling and she grew throughout. Fascinating characterization.
Don't get me wrong. :-) I LOVE the man to be stronger in certain ways. I think it's the wimpy thing that got my dander up. I don't mind a gentle heroine at all. Sometimes it's stronger to be gentle, you know?
I've never heard of that show/movie with Leigh. I'll bet there are some ways she's strong. The growing is pivotal. If the character grows and changes, the reader will forgive a lot.
Normal is good. LOL
Those sound like great qualities! And fun to read. :-)
The character you described sounds melodramatic and over the top. I like my heroines real. She seems more of a stereotype.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I was on vacation a few years ago and every night we had to walk a distance to get back to our home. There were bats everywhere. I'm sure I could have out screamed the girl from the goonies if one landed in my hair. I held my hands over my head all the way home! LOL.
Washington Square is based on a Henry James novel so it's a period piece. I'd recommend it.
Gosh I love netflix.
This was a good topic.
I'm wondering if you could discuss 'author intrusion' one of these days.
You know, I feel like I just read something about author intrusion and I'm trying to remember where. Hmmmm, great suggestion. Thanks for giving me something else to post about! :-) Sometimes I run out of ideas.
Although if the heroine just sits back and lets the hero fix everything, it's sort of...boring. That's why I love Mulan so much. She's strong and take-charge. She doesn't need a prince charming, no siree.
I think my favorite example of this is Eve Dallas from the In Death books by JD Robb. She's strong and tough, but she also gets burned out and has to go to her husband for help. It's a perfect mix.
Very awesome blog. I'll be reading.
Oh, yeah, Beth was definitely a good character. I wanted to be like Jo though. LOL Probably because I'm so different than her. You're right. Our tastes do change.
I agree. The heroine has to at least try to save herself. It's always fun when she ends up saving the hero too. LOL
I've read tons of Nora Roberts books, but never her JD Robb series. Interesting.
Saw your link on MuseTracks and wanted to pop over to check it out. What a great blogspace you have here. And love your comments on Heroines! Very true.
John
Thanks for coming by. :-) You write a great heroine, if I remember correctly. :-)