Fictional Feminists

So basically this post is womyn in books, on TV or in films that I know quite a bit about, and if they can be seen as feminists.

Hermione Granger
She is the lead girl in the Harry Potter books and films. She is smarter than the other two main roles, who are both boys. Her physical strengh has never been needed, as in Harry Potter it is more about using your brain and magical skills than if you can punch someone, although she did once slap Malfoy. At the beginning of the first book Hermione was seen as a stern, bossy kill joy who was not easily liked. She only became friends with Ron and Harry after they had to save her life-though it was their fault she needed saving.

To be brief, I think she is a fictional feminist icon, as she is known for not being a damsel in distress. She is able to take care of herself, prides herself in being smart not pretty (though she did get her large teeth fixed in the books), and is also a good friend which I personally think is important for anyone. Even better, Emma Watson, the actress who plays her, is a feminist and also sees Hermione as one.

Bella Swan
I've only read Twilight and New Moon, I havn't seen the film (though my friend is dragging me to see New Moon the film when it is out) and what I have read irritates me to the core of my soul. And Bella is one reason why.

She cannot be a feminist icon due to her embarrasing co-dependancy on Edward. This I find is shown in New Moon. For starters, when she suspects something is up with Edward (he is watching the football which apparently is unusual for him) she is so worried she is struggling to eat pizza (a crime I think-pizza is amazing!). Then he dumps her and she is sent in a spiral of depression that cuts her off from everyone. To get out of the horrible state she is in she repeatedly risks her life just to hear his voice. How romantic. And in Twilight she is so obsessed with him the way he runs leaves her breathless and his piano playing leaves her in tears. Though to be honest I dont think it's sexist, just a bit pathetic. As for the other books I don't know if she improves, because those books torture me, though I wouldn't bet on it.

Georgia Nicolson
If you are unaware of her she is the main character in Louise Rennison's books, a diary in Georgia's point of view. Now, these books can leave me laughing so hard I'm choking but Georgia is shocking. Her planned future career is a backing dancer, instead of GCSE's she is more worried what to wear for a party, and she is always worrying about boys and convinces herself she is ugly which makes her so sad she mopes around in her room all day. All of her friends are like this, it is only her best friend who cares about education and sees her boyfriend as a friend, not just a snogging partner. Only her best friend is seen as irritating and boring.

However I have yet to read the final book, and who knows? I have noticed she does well in sports such as tennis and hockey, and she does have creativity. Viking dance anyone?

Abigail Williams
From the play "The Crucible". Now she may be evil, but she taught a man a lesson about cheating on his wife with her, screwing her then dumping her. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned I say. Though she did ruin an entire town because she was obsessed with him. Then became a prostitute. I'm a bit divided when it comes to her.

Grace Tempest
From one of my favourite series of books: Vampirates. Like Herione Granger, she is smart. Very smart. Her twin brother once said she was better than him. And he is quite a proud guy. She also is skilled with a sword, (fitful when you're living a pirate life, which she was for about 5 minutes). I wouldn't call her a fiction feminist icon, but she's not bad at all either. I approve of her. Also in Vampirates there is Cutlass Cate and Cheng Li, two of the most skilled pirates in the books.

Famous Five Girls
What were their names? Anne and George. Pfft. Anne is obsessed with dresses (or frocks as they would say) and dolls. She gets scared easily and is a damsel in distress ALOT. And George? She would be better, more fearless and tougher but wants to be a boy for Christ's sake. Feminists? NO!



So thats's it. And I've just realised I havn't mentioned anyone off TV. Maybe another time. It's late, i'm tired and it's hard to type and eat rice krispies at the same time.


Goodbye and good night :)

Pink: Exploiting or Empowering?

So, my first post (big deal, I know). And I have chosen to do it about a colour. Pink. So when we are little girls, we loved pink. Well most of us (I personally prefered purple, and I'm sure others prefered other colours). But how could we not, with our naivity and everything made for us in "delightful" colours of bubblegum or pastel pink. Barbies, bratz, polly pocket, toys, clothes ect. It was a world of pink. Then we get older and realize how it pushed us into a steareotype of a little girly girl who thought she was a fairy. Of course boys had to deal with blue, but blue is unisex so there's not much of a problem.

What's that phrase again? "Pink makes the boys wink". Well maybe we don't want the boys to wink at us. We're not fairies or princesses. We don't want to be forced into pink to get a guy to "wink" at us. We want to be taken seriously. Pink is shallow, dumb and is brainwashing the younger generation.


However is pink really so bad? It's been our "friend" for our childhood. Hell; call it a memory of fun, childish times. And bright pink can boost our confidence. It makes us more noticeable, which is good for work, as long as its not pink underwear that is noticeable. Pink can be gentle, it doesn't represent blood and violence. It represents gay pride, which links to equality. My bedroom walls are painted "Sexy Pink" which I sould be ashamed of, but it looks bright and welcoming, and I've personalised it with posters ect. And it's not like men are banned from wearing pink, most just choose not to, and that's their problem with "pride" they need to sort out.

Pastel pink represents fluffy vulnerability, but my bright pink ramones t shirt makes me confident, and I love it.

So I think pink is okay, as long as it is sophsticated and not slutty. And as for little girls forced into a childhood of pink to be stereotyped; well, it's up to the parents to know what's right and what's wrong, and to not let their daughters grow up into dumb womyn, but realise they are in fact, smart and brilliant, and have recieved a healthy, equal dose of all colours.

So there you go. What I think of pink.


Comments? Opinions? Everything welcome.


:)