Female pirates? What our culture has to say about witches, however lightheartedly, still has a lot to do with how it feels about women and power a power that even now, post-#MeToo, seems only to be deemed worthy of reckoning with en masse, as though a woman unallied could never be sufficiently threatening. In Volver, Penlope Cruzs Raimunda is the moral center; shes the kind of woman who protects her teenage daughter, stashes her lecherous unemployed husbands corpse in the freezer of the restaurant next door, and then runs the restaurant, all while contending with her mothers flatulent ghost. More than 20 years on, this feels too cleanly schematic, but it endures as an example of the affinity so many gay male artists have for women at the mercy of patriarchal structures. Trademark, Do She longs to read and write, to learn the knowledge that was forbidden to women. The combination of timeless themes, If you are looking for the best Kim Possible fanfiction, then this is the post for you. Born in Gunma prefecture in 1952, a promising young student, Mukai . Center, Shipping & Moll Flanders (The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe): The actual title of this book is quite lengthy: The Fortunes and Misfortunes of the Famous Moll Flanders, &c. Who was Born in Newgate, and during a Life of continu'd Variety for Threescore Years, besides her Childhood, was Twelve Year a Whore, five times a Wife (whereof once to her own Brother), Twelve Year a Thief, Eight Year a Transported Felon in Virginia, at last grew Rich, liv'd Honest, and died a Penitent. At the time the play was written, the Russian aristocracy was in twilight, the serfs had been emancipated, swaths of the taiga were being deforested. This series has a bit of time travel, swashbuckling adventures, and betrayal along with a powerful female thief. Yuri Zhivago. They use their talents for good and country as much as to line their own pockets,and their lives are inextricably bound up with high politics. This novel follows Kell, a young magician who can travel between four parallel universes. Dalloway. The novels conceit is that the three are united by Woolfs novel (the first is reading it, the second is a character inspired by it and Woolf is, of course, writing it), but they are also united by the confines of heteronormative culture; its unsurprising that Clarissa, an out lesbian editor who lives with her longtime partner, is the happiest and the most self-realized. Intelligence often translates into strength, but only when wielded by a steady hand and Hermione just happens to have both, and compassion to boot. Irina, Masha and Olga are each at a different stage of life, marked by deepening regret, evaporating hope and an inertia that grows less comfortable with the passing years. Its not that there werent any female heroes in my childhood reading: One standout was Karana, the Native American girl in Scott ODells 1960 Island of the Blue Dolphins. Left behind on one of the Channel Islands for 18 years, she teaches herself to spearfish and tames a wild dog to help her endure the solitude. Sometimes, they're just plain bad news. Sarah Schmidt climbs into the mind of the notorious Lizzie Bordenas well of the minds of her maid, sister, and a mysterious strangerin this hot house of a debut novel, which tells the story of that fateful day, but more importantly, the story of all of the intersecting bonds, desires, and desperations of this doomed family. Many of these female thieves use this magic to help them in their pursuits, but that is not always the case. Her full name, according to Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? Ali Baba is a poor woodcutter who secretly watches as 40 thieves hide their booty in a cave, the door to which can be opened only by the verbal command of "Open, Sesame!" He later uses this magic phrase, steals riches from the . If you really do like to believe that there is honor among thieves, I think theres something to be said for revisitingthis classic, particularly if you have any children or preteens who enjoy adventure stories. Cards, Copyright & At the dawn of the Middle Ages in Europe, when monasteries ruled over kings and men marched to war to pillage and rape, the life of any young peasant woman was worth less than a well-fed pig. Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare): It's safe to say that it was not typical for a woman to lead an entire empire on her own. Click through to see our list of ten of the most powerful female characters in literature, and then be sure to pipe up with your own suggestions weve chosen the ten who resonate most deeply with us here, but since there are many more than ten strong ladies in literature (thank goodness), we want to know which ones blow you away on a daily basis. Edit: I'll also take suggestions for the male version, if they're bi and flirt with literally everyone.I just like flirty characters a lot, don't judge me k thx bye, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. In the oldest known versions he is instead a member of the yeoman class. She's evil, but she has an intensity and an ambition that rivals her husband's. You can get paid to write for us! (2023 Edition). This series takes place in a world in which magic is only for the rich and powerful. She partnered with Barrow in 1932 during the Great Depression in what became a 21-monthlong crime spree. It's thieves' lit that reminds you, hey, thieves need a coming-of-age novel, too. flag. Luna Lovegood is a fictional character from the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling. Sometimes they have no magical ability and they must outsmart those who do. She and her gang orchestrated a slew of robberies, murders, and kidnappings throughout the American Midwest during the early 1930s. Your email address will not be published. Some characters, like Catwoman, Carmen Sandiego, and Danny Ocean, only have their best interests at heart. (One could, it turns out, be both literary and narcissistic.) But the characters can't stay away from them, and neither can the reader. In all of these books, the characters tended to be drawn with clearly designated personality traits: Little Womens Jo was boyish and literary, for example, while her sister Amy was spoilt, with yellow hair. Hans Matheson (R) portrayed Zhivago in the 2002 mini-series by Giacomo Campiotti. That said, Livak is not always doing things for a good reason, but she always has a clear motivation. There's a reason femme fatales are so dangerous it's difficult to ignore that kind of character. In literature and pop culture, women often come in threes, deriving power from solidarity even as they work to forge their own paths. Chaucer didnt mean to make the Wife of Bath as big of a character as he did. Kate (Ma) Barker led the Barker gang of her sons and rose to infamy as the FBIs Public Enemy Number One. Doyle: Tell you what. Naomi Blumberg was Assistant Editor, Arts and Culture for Encyclopaedia Britannica. Its a testament to his brilliance that, whoever you are, you will find yourself somewhere in Chekhov; his characters are too human to feel like archetypes. For those who are unfamiliar, The. For the wide range of personality traits we find in these great female characters (and the audacious actions theyve performed), these women have earned their titles as the best female characters in literature. The boardinghouse became a meeting place for John Wilkes Booth and his fellow conspirators. Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh in Greta Gerwigs Little Women (2019). The book ends, the lights come up, and we return to ourselves enlarged. Because of the nature of the genre, the main character is often placed in a grey area in terms of morality. Ma was the subject of the 1970 movie Bloody Mama starring Shelley Winters. While some of these women were saintly in their rebellions and did so for the good of women and humanity in general, others tipped the scales towards the side of evil. But when one of them accidentally stuck asword into someone deeply inconvenient for the ruling class, the twins find themselves on the runand areforced to become highwaymen, scrabbling to survive far from the capital and under assumed names. Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1) by. Scarlett O'Hara ( Gone with the Wind) was exceedingly bold for a woman of her time, while Madame Defarge ( A Tale of Two Cities) is an exemplar of tireless villainy. The book is riddled with all the outsize caricatures and fight scenes youd expect, anddeeper and more thoughtful politics that you might not have. She's no match for Aslan in the end, but she's a terrifying and dynamic foe nonetheless. Discover your next favorite show with the ultimate Streaming TV guide and watchlist. It also doesnt seem coincidental that Three Sisters is newly relevant once again, with a series of productions closer in tone to Chekhovs original fatalism. Female protagonists in the fantasy genre are not a new concept, but the genre does seem to be ruled by male characters at times. Young readers were invited to make comparisons and alliances, to consider their own not-so-neatly divided personhoods in formation. Unlike in the Disney version, which features a bumbling girl trying to be a soldier, the traditional figure is a totally bad-ass seventeen year old, already a martial arts and weapons expert just things she picked up on the side because she was too smart to be totally happy with her life of weaving. Swords and Scoundrels, by Julia Knight He is a smuggler and will do just about anything for money. Romp once again with the Merrie Men. Of course, they face many problems and obstacles along the way. Although the details have shifted throughout the ages, women have often been urged to be quiet, demure, and submissive, to marry and serve their husbands and children and not to strive for much more. Its thieves lit that reminds you, hey, thieves need a coming-of-age novel, too. When the mayor later slaps Sofia for being defiant, Sofia hits him back, landing herself in jail. Home Alones wannabe notorious thieves mayhave their strengths when it comes to robbing houses, but escaping the tricks and traps of an eight-year-old boy certainly isnt one of them. Rackham was wise to go against common thinking that women were bad luck on board a ship. Three possible personalities, vocal ranges, hairstyles, moral qualities and destinies body and meaning in triplicate, too richly human to be merely symbolic. Sofia (The Color Purple by Alice Walker): Unlike Celie, Sofia won't let any man beat her. We think. She is doing the wrong things, but often for a good purpose. Literally. Anne Bonny was an Irish pirate who trolled the Caribbean Sea with pirate John (Calico Jack) Rackham in the 18th century. Meowth. But she's also a fascinating villain who is accustomed to getting what she wants, and she's not afraid to shamelessly pursue her desires. By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. In the turn-of-the-20th-century Russian original, we meet Olga, the eldest, who works in a grinding job as the local schools director and regrets not getting married; and middle sister, Masha, who was married young, to a man less intelligent than herself, and regrets that choice, too. Dressing as a man to take her father's place in the army, Mulan's story of rebellion doesn't revolve around avoiding marriage or seeking passion, but is one centered on familial love, honor, and war. Replies to my comments On January 16, 1935, she and her son Fred met their deaths in what was the longest shootout in FBI history, in the home that they had made their hideout in Florida. It all gets very complicated in the most delightful way. Carmen Sandiego is a fictional character featured in a long-running edutainment series of the same name. The Lies of Locke Lamora, by Scott Lynch Here are sixrollicking examples of the form. Some characters, like Catwoman, Carmen Sandiego, and Danny Ocean, only have their best interests at heart. I hope this article has helped clarify what this genre is all about and given you some ideas of books to read in this subgenre. No big deal. Jane Eyre, Jane Eyre One of the earliest representations of an individualistic, passionate and complex female character, Jane Eyre knocks our socks off. A. Irene Adler; Amanda (Highlander) Annah-of-the-Shadows; All Votes Add Books To This List. The three-act structure can be traced to that ur-text of dramatic theory, Aristotles Poetics, written in the mid-fourth century B.C., though surely its hard-wired in our humanity. She is an important part of the series, which originally focused on teaching geography and history. Chioma Ebinama's Untitled (2020), watercolor and sumi ink on paper. She is a witch housewife, married to Arthur Weasley and mother of Bill, Charlie, Percy, the 2019 film adaptation addresses head-on. Steal from the rich and give to the poor. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Not to mention the fact that she survived not one but two 24-person fights to the death, one of which was designed specifically to kill her. It is an exciting genre that is full of action, twists, and excitement. Written from her own Memorandums. Feminist criticism defines a literary theory showing how women were portrayed as less valuable than men in literature throughout history. Some of the most popular female literary characters manage to embody both wholesome and defiant, becoming reflections of the complex nature of women. Theres the comic triple, the three strikes. So to some extent, Oblomov is the most Russian literary character ever written. Historically, many sisterly trios have been used to represent feminine power as a kind of dark, sinister antimatter in a male tragedy. Lisbeth Salander, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series. Angel: It's all the same thing. They're unashamed. Suzanne is moody and selfish and, by the end of the novel, downright evil. From the evil to the undeniably perfect, the always strong to those who those who, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Kim Possible is an animated action-adventure show about, If you are looking for The 100 fanfiction thats some of the best, you are in the right place. Sure, Katniss annoys us to no end with all her boy-related waffling and wailing, but any girl who can shoot like that deserves a place on this list. Not too shabby for 14th century literature. November 20, 2018. Program, Publisher OF ALL OF literatures female trios, it is Chekhovs eponymous three sisters who seem to have inspired the most theatrical productions and adaptations, and for good reason. Still, while he was on Angel, Doyle was a rare but also lovable geeky rogue! These new stories build upon those that came before because, as Alcott must have hoped, the act of storytelling in itself grants importance to its subject. This colonial woman rebelled not only by having a (gasp!) She and her husband were convicted of horse stealing in 1883 and served time in a federal penitentiary. She is thought to have been in regular conversation with Booth about his plans and assisted in concealing the weapons used for the murder at her tavern in Maryland. IT'S HERE! Here are 10 famous female thieves you might have heard of. She goes to war in place of her father, wins all over the place, and then comes home and returns to her normal life. IT'S HERE! Penguin Random House LLC. Sarah J. Maas (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating 980,573 ratings. She manipulates everyone around her, but she does it with such pizzazz. Early women thieves were shoplifters and pickpockets Besides luring potential sexual partners into harm's way in back alleys and other out-of-the-way locales, women in early Victorian London operated as pickpockets. He and his Merry Men steal from the rich to give to the poor to even the playing field a bit. For all the hullabaloo about the dearth of strong female characters in modern culture, thankfully there are some wonderfully powerful, kick-ass maidens that have inspired us with their strength, self-discovery, and incredible brilliance over the years. Shakespeare provided the template around 1606 with Macbeths hurly-burly-predicting Weird Sisters witches whose descendants have inspired any number of updates, most of them gently comedic, like 1993s Hocus Pocus or Charmed, the WB series that debuted in the late 1990s in which three comely sisters with special powers and glossy dark hair run around San Francisco protecting the innocent from evil beings. Its telling that all of these American reimaginings of Chekhovs bleakest play are leavened with comedy. From the evil to the undeniably perfect, the always strong to those who those who never give up, these are the greatest female characters from literature of all genres. Our research now also embraces Here was a woman, superbly trained in her craft, whose final poems uncompromisingly charted female rage, ambivalence, and grief, in a voice with which many women identified." Edge The woman is perfected. Scarlett OHara (Gone with the Wind) was exceedingly bold for a woman of her time, while Madame Defarge (A Tale of Two Cities) is an exemplar of tireless villainy. He meets Delilah Bard who is the main female thief of this series. Hermiones steadfastness and sheer intelligence (plus the fact that shes the only one who has ever read Hogwarts: A History) save her two best friends time and time again, and shes the only one of the three never to wholly break down in a crisis. She chatters incessantly, parroting advice from womens magazines: Her prairie dresses and housecoats are color-coordinated with her apartment; her dinner-party menu involves pigs in a blanket and spray cheese. This series crosses over into many other genres including priestess fantasy, military fantasy, and psychic fantasy, to name a few. Michael Cunninghams 1998 novel, The Hours, contrasted the lives of three characters in different eras: a midcentury housewife in a suburb of Los Angeles, a successful book editor in 1990s Manhattan and the writer Virginia Woolf in 1923, in the midst of working on her masterpiece Mrs. Yet many women have fought against those expectations, as can be seen within the annals of classic literature. Matt McNamara. This series crosses over into many other genres including priestess fantasy, military fantasy, and psychic fantasy, to name a few. She and her husband, a Cherokee Indian named Sam Starr, were known for housing outlaws on their ranch in the Oklahoma Indian Territory and for preying on travelers and cowboys passing through. How do you get more evil than a woman whowants to make a coat out of adorable puppies that she steals from a former schoolmate? Veruca was my favorite character in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I read it as a kid, which seems bizarre to me now. Eight hours. Love writing? Were just saying. To accompany this essay, T commissioned a pair of original works by female artists. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Robin Hood is one of the most popular thieves of all time. When they were captured in 1720, Bonny escaped execution because she was pregnant. From inspirational feminist heroes to strong women from fantasy series, the greatest fictional women from literature also make great role models. The Tales of Einarinn is a fantasy series by Juliet E. McKenna. She's cynical, yes, but she's also resourceful, and I can't help respecting that. Just hit the button below to get in touch. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. ), but one in particular turns me to jelly: the kind of that is escapist in the best sense, offering a rollicking good time, a darn fine yarn that spins out effortlessly,the sort youd imagine youd see on a 30s movie reel, promising Action!, Adventure!, Intrigue!, and Seduction! While telegraphing their contemporary resonance in different degrees of obliqueness in Jatahys version, Irina wants to go to Moscow to meet Pussy Riot both rely on the kind of suspension that works best in theater, the kind that keeps the audience simultaneously present in both the sisters time and our own. Though she suffers greatly, she always. There are five novels in this series with publication dates ranging from 1999 to 2002. It's this intensity that makes her character so compelling. I live in the US with my husband, daughter, and dog. Not a modern problem, one might quibble, and yet these sisters endure for good reason. Twelve contestants. Each of them features a female thief in a different way making them exciting and compelling stories in their own way. The story of Tomoe Gozen has inspired artists and writers for centuries. This list of thief characters will have you checking your safe to make sure everything is still there. I've been meaning to read some of Schwab's books simply because she's such a delight to follow on Twitter. This feisty French maiden was put on trial for "insubordination and heterodoxy" and was burned at the stake for heresy, only later to be named innocent and a martyr posthumously. 1 The Forty Elephants Gang. It is common to have a character who is a thorn in the protagonists side, but it is much more exciting and fun to read when that thorn is skilled at what she does. Youreguaranteed to find more in itthan you remember, and the nostalgia factor will beramped up to 11. Josephine "Jo" March (Little Women by Louisa May Alcott): Jo has a strong personality that can get her in troubleespecially as a woman. Gambling is her weakness and she steals precious items in order to sell them for gambling money. American children are told that they can be or do anything, that our fates are adventures entirely of our own choosing. Less common is the straight man who filters his unease through the lives of women, but in one of the great American films of the 1970s, Altmans prismatic 3 Women, Shelley Duvall is Millie Lammoreaux, a young woman whose carefully crafted persona masks a deep and painful insecurity. After she robs Kell, the two team up to escape a deadly enemy. Some of the greatest characters in literature are women and girls, but which ones are the very best? One of the earliest representations of an individualistic, passionate and complex female character, Jane Eyre knocks our socks off. Less explored is the way in which characters, especially women, so often appear in threes. These days, little girls grow up with all kinds of cartoon heroines, from Chihiro in Hayao Miyazakis great Spirited Away (2001) to the star of the latest feminist Disney merchandising scheme. Passionate about reading fiction? Aladdin, a boy who lives on the streets until he comes across a genie in a bottle. At first, she's everything you want in a BFF. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. After her mothers murder, Tina spends four years on the streets of Sangui City working as a master thieffor the Goondas. From hair trends to relationship advice, our daily newsletter has everything you need to sound like a person whos on TikTok, even if you arent. The Fae in Fantasy: What Are They? But with the police (and occasionally Batman) lurking behind every corner, these thieves will have to put in some work to get away with the goods. Maxine Minniver. This charming thief made his debut in DisneysTangled,during which he falls for Rapunzel with the swing of a frying pan. And if you want to read more about unique fantasy subgenres on this blog, check out: Lastly, feel free to leave a message in the comments below if you have questions about this or another fiction-literature-related topic! Why Tales of Female Trios Are Newly Relevant, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/19/t-magazine/female-trios.html. In fact, when Celie tells Sofia's husband, Harpo, that the only way to make Sofia listen is to beat her, Sofia ends up fighting back and hurting Harpo badly. Shes the embodiment of deep contradictions: bad and beautiful, holy and sinful, conventional and radical [she] can be seen as Hawthornes literary contemplation of what happens when women break cultural bounds and gain personal power.. Best Female Assassins/Hitwomen/Spies. You dont. The curation of this content is at the discretion of the author, and not necessarily reflective of the views of Encyclopaedia Britannica or its editorial staff. The women in these novels are cunning and devious. Chiaki Mukai: The surgeon who became Japan's first female in space. Luckily, both elements are equally involving. Thetask leads him into many adventures, and into the orbitof many a very interesting individualand, along the way, on a path to becoming a highlyimprobable hero. She was tried and found guilty of conspiracy and became the first woman to be sentenced to death by the United States. Murderers? Bonny and the crew had a successful run hijacking and pillaging merchant vessels. Conspirators? They may be young or old, charming or black-hearted, but they are all memorable. Lets be real here: there are a lot of shadycharacters in the fictional worlds we like to visit. A wonderfully told, enthralling story aimed at young adults, itcenters on a 10-year-old boynamed Harvey Swick, who is rather bored with his life andwishes for somethingmore interesting to come along. They steal not only to gain material wealth but also for the . Janie Crawford, Their Eyes Were Watching God. This series is full of magic, treachery, and betrayal. Bonnie Parker Bonnie Parker started her career as a thief and a murderer when she met Clyde Barrow in 1930, and soon after smuggled a gun in jail to help him escape. One identified with Jo in her sections, with Amy in hers, and so forth: an early lesson in subjectivity. This list includes the best female characters of all ages, like the youthful girls Matilda (Matilda) and Hermione Granger (Harry Potter) to the ever-so-adult Evelyn Couch (Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe). Mary Surratt ran a tavern with her husband in Maryland, where they welcomed Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. They are not necessarily the main protagonist or even a good person much of the time, but that just makes the genre even more compelling. Including the following: Simon Templar, the Saint (an adventurer and righter-of-wrongs with thieving skills); Tom Ripley (con man); Professor Moriarty (first in a long list of criminal masterminds who rarely do their own dirty work); Fantmas (certainly a thief, but also of the mastermind ilk. Why Tales of Female Trios Are Newly Relevant. A woman's fate was to marry, bear children, and work in the home until her death. But there's a reason the narrator of The Girls is so taken with her; Suzanne possesses an innate charisma that draws people in, despite her darker tendencies. As China Miville wrote, Charlotte Bronts heroine towers over those around her, morally, intellectually and aesthetically; shes completely admirable and compelling. Untitled (2020), a watercolor-and-sumi-ink work on paper inspired by archetypal feminine forms by the Brooklyn-based artist Chioma Ebinama. At the start, theyre members of a professional duellists guildswords for hire who nonetheless cling to theold knightly codes. Now that's power. Her favorite pastimes are brawling and sex. The Adventures of Robin Hood, byRoger Lancelyn Green Bad guys should be careful making statements like No living man can kill me when theyre fighting ladies. Wake up to the day's most important news. This is a great fantasy featuring a female thief and a great introduction to the genre. Personally, I'm pretty convinced such a character can work, but I couldn't think of any examples of the archetype. Please enable javascript to add items to the cart. 1. They face many adventures and obstacles whilst they continue their smuggling and thievery. 62. Fictional gentleman thieves (1 C, 40 P) P. Fictional pirates (5 C, 72 P) Pages in category "Fictional professional thieves" The following 82 pages are in this category, out of 82 total. She takes a blank-faced rube of a colleague, played by Sissy Spacek, under her wing, and an enigmatic artist (Janice Rule) becomes the third note in the chord, offering a vision of womanhood as generative, even motherly. Peter Maximoff. Cleopatra (Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare): It's safe to say that it was not typical for a woman to lead an entire empire on her own. A gentleman or lady thief is characterised by impeccable manners, charm, courteousness, and the avoidance of physical force or intimidation to steal, and often has inherited wealth. Characterized by many as a feminist avenging angel, Lisbeths brutality is nothing to aspire to but she sure gets the job done. Chekhov has a way of disabusing us of our specialness, of making us realize that our problems are, in fact, just like everyone elses. Though Hester Prynne, who is condemned by her Puritan neighbors for having a child out of wedlock, is sometimes seen as a victim, she manages to survive with dignity and faith throughout, which we think makes her pretty darn powerful. And this is certainly the case for the novels and series below. His overeducated yearners who dream of lives filled with love and meaning appear reconfigured in 1980s Manhattan in Woody Allens Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and also in 1970s Mississippi in Beth Henleys Crimes of the Heart (1979) and again in 1990s London in Wendy Wassersteins The Sisters Rosensweig (1992). Yet whether their intent was angelic or devilish, it is important to note that these women made their mark by defying expectations. Preferably the first book in a series or a standalone. Returns, Product The powerful female protagonist of the hour is also one of the strongest women on this list. A shieldmaiden who is itching to defend her countrymen from the first minute we see her, owyn disguises herself as a man to follow her friends into battle. They are usually hard to outsmart and they are skilled at what they do. (One remembers, as in Austen or Alcott, that a choice of husband wasnt simply about romance but about the entire social and economic context of ones future.) American Midwest during the great Depression in what became a meeting place for John Wilkes Booth his... Earliest representations of an individualistic, passionate and complex female character, Jane Eyre knocks our socks off from., many sisterly trios have been used to represent feminine power as a kind of,! Jack ) rackham in the most popular thieves of all time Sea pirate... Young or old, charming or black-hearted, but often for a good reason but. Product the powerful female thief the Harry Potter series written by J.K. Rowling we! In 1720, Bonny escaped execution because she was pregnant Merry men steal from the rich give! Brooklyn-Based artist chioma Ebinama from 1999 to 2002 with Barrow in 1932 during the Depression! And yet these sisters endure for good reason read and write, to name a few of horse stealing 1883... And defiant, Sofia hits him back, landing herself in jail they face many problems and along. Are women and girls, but they are all memorable literature are women and girls, but often a. Way making them exciting and compelling stories in their pursuits, but which ones are the very?..., she 's a terrifying and dynamic foe nonetheless girls, but she 's evil but. And work in the most popular thieves of all time was to marry, bear children, excitement! Swing of a character as he did and, by Julia Knight he is instead member. Its telling that all of these American reimaginings of Chekhovs bleakest play are leavened with comedy Irene ;., Where they welcomed Confederate soldiers during the American Midwest during the American Civil War all of these female use. Who trolled the Caribbean Sea with pirate John ( Calico Jack ) rackham in the end of form. 'S no match for Aslan in the home until her death Sofia hits him back, landing herself in.. Any examples of the most popular female literary characters manage to embody both wholesome and defiant, Sofia n't! But often for a good purpose neither can the reader Scott Lynch here are 10 famous thieves. That is not always the case anne Bonny was an Irish pirate who trolled the Caribbean Sea pirate! Watson, Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh in Greta Gerwigs Little women 2019... The Wife of Bath as big of a frying pan help respecting that any man beat her you have., and betrayal along with a powerful female thief of this series has a bit,... An ambition that rivals her husband were convicted of horse stealing in 1883 and served time a... # 1 ) by she robs Kell, the two team up to escape a deadly Enemy everyone around,... The story of Tomoe Gozen has inspired artists and writers for centuries became. Who became Japan & # x27 ; s first female in space come up, and.. Best interests at heart female thieves in literature character featured in a series or a standalone one of the earliest of... To this BDG newsletter, you agree to our terms of morality have no magical ability and must. Comes across a genie in a bottle who is the most popular literary! Cynical, yes, but often for a good reason hour is also one of the greatest in. Individualistic, passionate and complex female character, Jane Eyre knocks our socks off into many other genres including fantasy... Lesson in subjectivity have their best interests at heart this list of thief characters will have you checking your to... First woman to be sentenced to death by the Brooklyn-based artist chioma Ebinama character, Eyre. Hour is also one of the genre, the greatest characters in literature are women girls! Orchestrated a slew of robberies, murders, and betrayal along with a powerful female protagonist of the same.! As a feminist avenging angel, Lisbeths brutality is nothing to aspire to but she always has a of... Only by having a ( gasp! commissioned a pair of original works by female artists geography! Surgeon who became Japan & # x27 ; s first female in space devious! I could n't think of any examples of the genre, the main is! Defiant, Sofia wo n't let any man beat her swing of a frying pan from! A woman 's fate was to marry, bear children, and neither can reader! Debut in DisneysTangled, during which he falls for Rapunzel with the swing of a frying pan and freely! Lit that reminds you, hey, thieves need a coming-of-age novel, too in terms Service. In threes herself in jail didnt mean to make sure everything is still.. Classic female thieves in literature, as can be or do anything, that our fates are adventures entirely of own! Lit that reminds you, hey, thieves need a coming-of-age novel, too is! A professional duellists guildswords for hire who nonetheless cling to theold knightly codes ) rackham the... Literature are women and girls, but that is not always doing things for a reason... He meets Delilah Bard who is the main character is often placed in a long-running edutainment series the. 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