It's my birthday today! To celebrate my own birthday (hey, why not?), I want to take a look at my four favourite literary ladies. Reading has been such an essential part of my life for the past years and I want to celebrate some of the characters that have shaped me!
1. Scarlett from Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
This is no surprise to anyone who has seen me this last year. I read this book, I loved this book and I felt an instant and deep connection with Scarlett. She's far from perfect, but I enjoyed reading her and her confidence in accepting her own opinion and what she believes in. She might rub many people the wrong way, but for me that just means I love her even more. Also, I love the movie version and I want to be Vivien Leigh when I grow up - just another reason to love Scarlett.
2. Anna from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Complete and polar opposite from Scarlett, besides the fact that they both are amazing and kickass. Anna taught me that you can still be an amazing woman if you fall in love. I know, this sounds cliché, but honestly, most literary female characters become so sappy and annoying once they're in love. Anna makes Etienne a better person and together they are beautiful. She never gives up on her own dreams and I'll always have a soft spot for her.
3. Jane Eyre from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Sappy love woman reports! I adore Jane Eyre, but don't get me started about the ending and why she had to end up with Mr. Rochester - I don't get it and I never will. However, throughout the story Jane really grows and shows the reader that it's okay to not have everything figured out yet in life; it will happen eventually. The strength in her decision making (even when it are decisions I don't like sometimes) is admirable and something we should all have.
4. Nicole from Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Probably one of the least known, Nicole is a hidden gem in one of Fitzgerald's most underrated works. Nicole goes from a psychiatric patient to a woman finding her own way without any help. She's far from perfect and makes many mistakes along the way, but Nicole loves hard, feels hard and gives everything she has. No matter what circumstance, she gets out and that's why I love her so much.
My top four! Who is your favourite female literary character of all times and why? Please let me know in the comments!