Women in literature amaze us, frustrate us, and, most importantly, inspire us. Whether they’re fighting in a battle of wizardry, wit, or willpower, these five women can teach college women a lot about the types of qualities they should really strive for.
1. Elizabeth Bennet, Pride and Prejudice
Elizabeth Bennet is the witty second Bennet sister who catches the eye of the handsome and ever so aloof Mr. Darcy. Though her wit, her charm, and her ability to snatch “a single man in possession of a good fortune” are all great qualities, it is Elizabeth’s outstanding loyalty to her family and her friends that should be recognized. Though she makes mistakes and loses her way, she manages to make sense of her life by regarding things she truly cares about: her family, her best friend Charlotte, and, of course, Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth is humiliated by her family at times, but regardless of how embarrassing they can be, she refuses to allow anyone to insult them, even Mr. Darcy. Similarly, with shifting maturities and changing friendships in college, it’s important for us to stay true to those who have done the same for us. Elizabeth shows us that in a world with Wickhams and Carolines, it’s important to love and care for our Darcys, Charlottes, and crazy Bennet family members because they are the ones who have always been there for us.
2. Hermione Granger, from the Harry Potter series
Labeled as the greatest witch of her time, Hermione Granger is introduced as a young know-it-all but grows to become an amazing woman we all hope to be. Hermione is, of course, incredibly brilliant and knows how to defend herself and others, but the most important quality Hermione exemplifies is her dedication to education. There are so many girls around the world who are not given the chance to get an education, and as a college student, it’s hard to take a moment out of all the madness and stress and realize the privilege of an education. Hermione gives all of us a reality check about what it means to work hard at what we want and just how lucky we are to be able to do so. Whether she was reading and re-reading Hogwarts: A History or turning back time to take a few more classes. Hermione’s work ethic and enthusiasm inspire us to always do more.
3. Cinderella, from Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Cinderella dealt with the brunt of her stepmother and stepsisters’ frustration and negativity, but regardless, she did not utter an unkind word to her family—or anyone for that matter. The children’s classic spreads a great message for all ages: good things happen to those who do good. In a dynamic and constantly shifting environment like college, it is important for college women to stay grounded in their ideals, especially when it comes to helping others and doing good whether it be for the college, their friends, or their families. Though making friends with birds and dresses dropping from trees are probably not a part of any college gal’s life, she can definitely find peace and happiness through kindness and positivity.
4. Hester Prynne, The Scarlet Letter
Hester Prynne is introduced as a sinner for committing adultery and thus has to wear the scarlet A as a constant reminder to herself and to the public of the evil she committed. Despite being judged by everyone around her, Hester remains unapologetic about her actions while simultaneously accepting the consequences. She shows young women that whatever decisions they make, they must be willing to accept the consequences. Hester never viewed her affair as a mistake; it was something she wanted, and because it was of her own free will, she understood that she had to accept the punishment. College forces us to make decisions in our friendships, in our academics, and in other important aspects of our lives. These decisions are tough and scary, mostly because we are scared of the consequences. Hester teaches us that we can’t let the consequences scare us when we’re considering the things we really want in life.
5. Ekwefi, Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart tells the story of Okonkwo, the hero of Umuofia, but it is Okonkwo’s second wife, Ekwefi, who teaches us all an important lesson about leaving the past in the past. A spirited woman, Ekwefi cares deeply for both Okonkwo and her daughter, Ezinma. Though she does not speak of it, Ekwefi struggled with multiple miscarriages in the past. Achebe narrates the heartbreaking experiences of Ekwefi but lends great detail to the way she treats her daughter, her “miracle,” Ezinma with constant care and protection. Ekwefi inspires women to remember their pasts without allowing it to consume them. Despite the tragedies she faced in the past, Ekwefi looks to and treasures Ezinma as her present and her future. She inspires us to move forward with our lives even when we feel we cannot. Life will always deal us difficult hands, but like Ekwefi, we must choose willpower in the face of difficulty.