Women Who Keep Us Turning The Pages

Throughout the canon of classic literature there are a plethora of characters who mark their territory in our hearts. They exemplify the type of people we see in ourselves or the type of people we strive to be. Many a good book features a character so memorable and inspirational that they deserve public recognition.

So we have composed a list of the top five literary leading ladies. You know, the gals who make a good impression and overall kick some butt.

Scarlett O'Hara (Gone With The Wind) 
Anyone with a name like Katie Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler is guaranteed to be a high maintenance brat. And that, to say the least, sums up Miss Scarlett O'Hara from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 classic Gone With The Wind. Saucy and assertive, Scarlett is never afraid to say what's on her mind. She's described as "not beautiful" but having an effect on men everywhere she goes. This is why she tops our list; the girl has charisma. We learn from Scarlett that confidence and personality create magnetism, not just a pretty face.

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter)
Brains and beauty, the ideal combination for a woman who kicks ass. Hermione is an overachiever, clever and intellectual, always quick with logic and practicality. On surface level she appears rigidly conservative, perhaps to a fault. But as Hermione transforms from a precocious child into a strong, determined lady we see the significance of individuality. Hermione knows how to play with the boys and hold her own in a crisis.

Anne Shirley (Anne of Green Gables)
A classic Canadian tale featuring a classic and extraordinary Canadian beauty. Anne has a fiery temper that is unyielding and a penchant for long-winded stories. She recites Tennyson by heart and dreams of attending balls in long flowing gowns with puffed sleeves; her innocence is endearing. But she's not all sugar pie and chantilly lace. From breaking slates over boys' heads to refusing to settle into marriage for the mere sake of it, Anne denounces mediocrity and lives for her imagination. Oh, and getting her best friend drunk on "raspberry cordial"? We gotta love that too.

Alice Liddell (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
In Lewis Caroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Alice is only 10 years old, but her curiosity and proclivity towards rebellion are what make her stand out. Nothing can be taken at face value according to Alice, everything must be questioned and then questioned again. It's this perpetual curiosity and defiance of convention that we can encourage ourselves to aspire to, not to mention her blunt honesty!

Jo March (Little Women)
From Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, Jo is an outgoing tomboy with a rough exterior but selfless, compassionate heart. She hacks off all her hair and sells it to send her mother to visit her sick husband. She cares for her sisters deeply and is a natural born leader. We admire Jo for her boldness, sense of adventure, and pursuit of her ambitions. 

Image from MorgueFile

Courtney Gilmour
		About the author:
		Courtney is a published writer, stand-up comic, and shameless Internet enthusiast. She holds a double bachelors degree in English Literature and Communication Media Studies, specializing in semiotic theory, however she doesn't get Shakespeare and has never won a game of Scrabble. Currently she lives in Toronto and works as a writer for WOMAN.CA.
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