Women as heroes in selected fantasy novels
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Date
2014
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University of Fort Hare
Abstract
In fantasy literature of the past, women were often left out of the heroic tale, and
when they were included, they served domestic functions more than they embodied
laudable character. They often endured a forced, loveless marriage or death, or were
saved by a male rescuer. Although there were a small number of women performing
heroic deeds, they were far outnumbered by male heroes performing great actions.
In modern-day society, women are now performing in heroic actions that they would
have never been able to perform in the past, because of the societal expectations of
gender. In response to these changes in society, the role of female characters in
modern fantasy novels has altered – female heroes are now equal in terms of
responsibility and actions to the male heroes.
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Keywords
Hereos in literature, Women in literature, Women -- Books and reading