Something that we’re learning about the 2012 London Olympics is that this Olympics is breaking down barriers for women in the field of athletics. For the first time in history there are more female Olympians on TeamUSA. And for the first time in historySaudi Arabiapermitted women to compete in the Olympic Games. Not only that, but a group of 5 teenage girls from middle America have now been dubbed one of the greatest Women’s Gymnastics Teams of all time. You go girls!
To commemorate these achievements by our female Olympians, we’ll look at 10 kick-ass female literary characters from modern literature.
10. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling (2001-2010)
One part of a dynamic trio of Hogwart’s students who were brought together by their cleverness and their need to see the end of the Dark Lord. Hermione is the clever one of the trio and is able to brew potions, recount magical history and cast a spell more accurately than her two companions.
9. Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins (2009-2010)
Katniss is unwittingly entered into The Games, an event where 2 teenagers from each District are taken to an Arena where they must fight to the death. Because of her deliberate defiance of the Capitol, she becomes a symbol to the Districts who begin a war in order to release them from their oppression from the Capitol.
8. Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne (1850)
Hester became pregnant out of wedlock in Puritan Salem and now must try to start a new life of repentance and dignity. Although she walks with the mark of an adulterer on her, she refuses to give up the man who committed the affair along with her.
7. Eowyn from The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien (1973)
A princess from one of the human realms of Middle Earth, Eowyn has suffered the loss of her mother and brother and her father has become under the spell of his close attendant who secretly seeks to have Eowyn’s hand in marriage. In charge of her own destiny Eowyn finds a way to drive away her father’s attendant, recover his health and them ride with him out to fight the epic battle.
6. Lady Catherine from Cate of the Lost Colony by Lisa Klein (2010)
Orphaned, Catherine is taken in by Queen Elizabeth as a Lady in Waiting where she meets and falls in love with Sir Walter Raleigh. When Queen Elizabeth hears of this secret romance, Lady Catherine is banished fromEnglandand sent to colonize the New World of Virginia. Throughout her suffering and hardships, Cate has a determination to survive that breaks the boundaries of “savage” vs. “civilized.”
5. Bella Swan from the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer (2008-2010)
A high school student in upstateWashington, Bella falls in love with a vampire named Edward and is brought into their secret world of territory, enemies and ancient legends. Bella yearns to be like her new vampire friends, but a concern about her soul keeps Edward from changing her over.
4. Annie Bourne from On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah (2004)
Her daughter is moving abroad to study, her husband has left her for a younger woman and her best friend from high school has committed suicide. Through it all, Annie finds the love and determination needed to bring her friend’s family back together and forgive the husband that betrayed her.
3. Lisbeth Salander from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson (2011)
A ward of the state, Lisbeth is one of the best computer hackers inEurope. She uses her skill to assist a journalist in finding out what happened to a girl who disappeared 30 years ago. Together they uncover the dark secrets of a Nazi conspiracy and the under-side of one of the wealthiest families in the area.
2. Elaine Brogan from the Lust, Money & Murder series by Mike Wells (2011)
Elaine could have been a super model. Instead she opted for a career as a Secret Service agent who works to stop counterfeit American dollars from being circulated aroundEurope. When a new counterfeiting ring is uncovered, Elaine finds herself in the middle of the conspiracy as she has to decide whether to join the counterfeiter in his crime or expose him for what he really is.
1. Clarice Starling from Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (1988)
Clarice Starling is a rookie FBI Agent who is sent out to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, one of the most notorious serial killers of all time, in order to gain insights that might help catch a new serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. Dr. Lecter takes Clarice for a psychological ride as he gives her insights into this new killer and also enjoys messing with her mind.
These aren’t the only kick-ass females in modern literature, but each of these women (or girls) overcome their circumstances, find their own path in life or literally kick ass when the occasion calls for it.
Who is your favorite female character in modern literature?
