So yeah, I just came across this (via here), which contains a flowchart of female characters.
And this. This is the kind of stuff that drives me insane. Women putting together an argument that society is currently sexist by showing 76 examples of various types of female characters.
Point 1: The large majority of the characters given as examples are entirely 3-dimensional, complete with an intricate history and many different personality characteristics. The article points to Lois Griffin from Family guy (a show composed almost entirely of stereotypes and 2-dimensional characters by its very nature), and I disagree with their interpretation. Sure, she is that “fun-loving sexpot wife who stands by her man no matter what he does”, but also contains the brains of the entire relationship, and manages quite often to sway her idiotic husband in the right direction. In fact, I’d venture to say that she probably has more dimensions than Peter, as he himself is not much more than just an idiot.
I could go on, too. Zoe from Firefly = Lady of War, but also one of the most loving wives I’ve ever seen on TV; Sarah Connor from Terminator = Mama Bear, but the original movie had her as a scared waitress just trying to figure things out (no motherliness or badassness)—that’s called character development, you guys; Azula from Avatar: The Last Airbender = Girl Hitler, but almost as much “daddy’s girl” as anything. That’s not to mean that there aren’t 2-dimensional characters here; I’m just saying, gross oversimplifications, exaggerations, and misinterpretations abound.
Point 2: You’re looking at what you want to see. Exactly none of these examples is the main character of the series that they’re from. Supporting characters by their very nature aren’t going to be as well-rounded as the protagonist. Take any male supporting character, and I’ll bet he is at least as flat as any of these women. Let’s look at Firefly, just because I know it inside-out: Jayne = angry action man; Simon = kindhearted doctor; Shepherd Book = badass preacher (The Bible says not to kill, but “it’s a mite fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps.”). See? I can do it too!
Point 3: Perhaps the complaint is more that women are less likely to be the main protagonist of a given series, right? Sure, I’ll concede that point. That doesn’t mean they don’t exist—seek this stuff out; don’t just sit around complaining that it’s not smacking you across the face 24/7. Kill Bill, Mean Girls, Labyrinth, (in a way) The Mummy, freaking half of the shows made by Joss Whedon, whatever. There are tons of Young Adult Fantasy stories with female protagonists—I know because I own a bunch of them. Watch Xena if you really want your feminist hit, for goodness’ sake.
And, if it’s really that important to you, go out and write. In general, the stories that people create will center around someone with whom they can relate, and as such, if more men happen to be writing the stories (as I’m inclined to say is the case in the current entertainment industry—at least in the action genre), then more of the stories will feature a male protagonist. So if you’re unhappy with the current state of storytelling, create your own. Maybe you’ll get lucky and things will change as a result.
Just don’t sit around and make yourself into a victim.
