Formidable Female Protagonists #3 - Moiraine Damodred

So we come to the third entry in my semi-regular series about the Formidable Females that can be found in fantasy literature. I stole the idea from Cybermage (with his blessing), and so far have looked at Polgara the Sorceress and Alanna the Lioness.

It is definitely time I picked someone from the Wheel of Time. The timing is good, considering Towers of Midnight has recently been released. And, honestly, with the number of strong women written by Robert Jordan, I had a wealth of options. I know that many people opine that Jordan wasn't able to write a decent female character if he tried - but, when you look at it, the women in his books are easily the equal of any man. They bicker, argue, tug braids and smooth skirts. They manipulate and often cause more ructions than they're worth. However, they have power, status and ability. They are clever, strong and compassionate. It wasn't so much a question of trying to get just one woman to talk about - it was a matter of thinning down the pack that includes Nynaeve, Aviendha, Siuan, Elayne, Min, Faile.... (and that doesn't even touch on the many secondary characters - the Wise Ones, the Aes Sedai, the nobility, the farmgirls...)

But really, there was just one option. This woman has made waves from the moment she stepped onto the page. She is short but has a towering personality. Despite not appearing in the majority of the books, her effect has been felt through all of them. This formidable female is Moiraine Damodred - related to nobility, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah, and guide to the Dragon Reborn (when he lets her!)

Here are some reasons and quotes as to why Moiraine fits the description of formidable female:

1) Moiraine is hard and determined

"The Dark One is after you three, one or all, and if I let you go running off wherever you want to go, he will take you. Whatever the Dark One wants, I oppose, so hear this and know it true. Before I let the Dark One have you, I will destroy you myself."

2) Moiraine is pragmatic but compassionate

"Death cannot be healed, Rand. You are not the Creator."

3) Moiraine knows her duty

"I have given my life to finding the Dragon Reborn, finding Rand, and seeing him ready to face the Last Battle. I will see that done, whatever it requires. Nothing and no one can be more important than that."

4) Moiraine has a sense of humour - sometimes...

"If you watch the wolf too hard, a mouse will bite you on the ankle."

5) Moiraine can be hot-tempered

"Rand al'Thor is a mule-headed, stone-willed fool of a... a... a man!"

I loved Moiraine from the first moment she stepped onto the page - she is mysterious, manipulative and majestic, and definitely worthy of her place in this series on formidable female protagonists.

Would you have picked Moiraine? If not, which of the women from the Wheel of Time would suit a place in this series? Who else would you enjoy reading about?

Formidable Female Protagonists #2 - Alanna the Lioness

Here is the second in my series of Formidable Female Protagonists in fantasy fiction, and is as a result of a suggestion by Simcha after I tackled Polgara the Sorceress in my first feature. I am going to talk about Alanna the Lioness.

Alanna first featured in a quartet of books by Tamora Pierce called The Song of the Lioness, detailing how Alanna disguised herself as a boy called Alan in order to become a knight (at a time when girls were not allowed to become knights). She is a secondary character in the second Tortall quartet The Immortals; she supports new lady Knight Keladry in the Protector of the Small quartet; and finally pops up in the Trickster duology about her daughter Aly.

Here is the list of books in full:

The Song of the Lioness

1. Alanna: The First Adventure
2. In the Hand of the Goddess
3. The Woman Who Rides Like a Man
4. Lioness Rampant



The Immortals

1. Wild Magic
2. Wolf-Speaker
3. Emperor Mage
4. The Realms of the Gods

Protector of the Small

1. First Test
2. Page
3. Squire
4. Lady Knight

Tricksters

1. Trickster's Choice
2. Trickster's Queen




Tamora Pierce is known for writing strong, capable heroines - girls who stand up for themselves and don't need (often don't want!) men. They represent excellent role models for young girls - and Alanna the Lioness is no exception, for the following reasons:

1. Alanna doesn't tattle tales

This might seem an odd reason for thinking her formidable, but I include it because in the first tale about Alanna, when she is trying to pass as a lad, she is bullied for a long period. She refuses to tattle tales on the bully, even though it is widely known that the bullying is occurring. She refuses to let anyone else fight her own battles. Instead, she trains and trains and eventually takes on the bully and defeats him, showing her strength and independence.

I wouldn't advocate staying silent if you are being bullied - it is always better to let others know about it, and solve the issue with help - but, in this case, it really showcases Alanna's strong, tenacious character.

"I fell down, you Grace," she said, her face straight.
"Mithros, boy- can't you think of a better excuse?"
She scuffed a foot. "This one works so well, sir. It- it has tradition behind it."
...
Alanna was opening the door when he added, "I wish you would thrash him. He deserves it."
She looked back at him. "I will one day, sir. I'm getting tired of falling down."

2. Alanna has an amusing turn of phrase

She is sarcastic, biting, compassionate - but, however she is talking, Alanna has enormous spirit and sass.

Myles: “You didn't kill him. He would have killed you, but you didn't kill him.”
Alanna: “So? He was stupid. If I killed everyone who was stupid I wouldn't have time to sleep.”

3. Alanna is proud

Alanna is extremely proud, sometimes to the point of being too proud. She hates showing weakness, and finds it hard to let anyone become truly intimate with her. She always works to the very best of her abilities and is constantly striving to achieve more. She is proud of her achievements and tries not to show a soft, girly side.

Alanna: "You must think I'm an awful sissy."
Jon: I threw up after my first skirmish."
Alanna: "You never."
Jon: "I did. And I didn't have anyone to hold my head for me. Don't tell the men, will you?"
Alanna: "I won't tell if you won't."
Jon: "Done. It wouldn't do for them to think we're sissies, would it?"

4. Alanna is compassionate and loyal to her friends

When this lady makes friends, she will defend them to the death. She is compassionate towards them and shows real fear when they are in trouble or danger. Alanna is definitely one you'd want on your team!

Alanna: "Don't die on me. It's only a little shoulder wound. Goddess, George- don't die on me."
George: "I didn't know you cared. And why insult me? I won't die for a wee nick like this; I've had worse in my day."
Alanna: "Of course I care, you unprincipled pickpocket! Of course I care."

5. Alanna is ahead of her time

In a time when maidens were pampered and treated like ladies, Alanna is determined to achieve equal opportunities. When she comes out as a woman who has managed to survive knighthood training, it is realised that women can be the equal of men. After her campaigning, the chance to become a knight is opened to anyone who wishes to try for it - leading to Lady Keladry taking her own opportunity.

Ali Mukhtab:

"You frighten them. You are too new; you are too different. Will they have to behave differently, now that you are of the tribe? Better that you die and become a legend. Legends force no one to change."

If you haven't already picked up a Tamora Pierce book, I would urge you to do so. They are filled with humour and excitement, dealing with real life issues such as love, contraception, bullying, and setting out to achieve your dreams. Alanna is a vibrant and lovable character - stubborn, funny and courageous. I first read these books as a teenager and loved them, but I still find much to enjoy even now that I am in my thirties.

Alanna is most definitely a Formidable Female Protagonist!

(That beautiful artwork at the top was found at and is under the copyright of Bunni of Fu)

Formidable Female Protagonists #1 - Polgara the Sorceress

Over at Cybermage, Ove Jansson has been running a fantastic series highlighting the formidable female protagonists in science fiction – he mentioned the fact that he would love to see the equivalent for fantasy, but that he didn’t know enough about the characters in fantasy fiction to do the idea justice. I certainly don’t think I am the best-placed to do as long a series as he has achieved, but there are certainly some female characters in fantasy fiction that I would like to wax lyrical about. So I asked him very nicely if I could *steal* his idea, and start my own series, as long as I credited him. Consider this credit, Ove – I’ve loved your posts about the female protagonists in science fiction, and it has made me add numerous books to my wishlist.

Anyhow, this is my first effort at the same – and I am going to tackle Polgara the Sorceress.

Polgara the Sorceress is a character we first encounter in David Eddings’ five book series The Belgariad. She returns in the second book sequence The Mallorean, features in the standalone novel Belgarath the Sorcerer and then we finally hear her full story in the novel Polgara the Sorceress – full list of books below:

The Belgariad

1. Pawn of Prophecy
2. Queen of Sorcery
3. Magician’s Gambit
4. Castle of Wizardry
5. Enchanters’ End Game

The Mallorean

1. Guardians of the West
2. King of the Murgos
3. Demon Lord of Karanda
4. Sorceress of Darshiva
5. Seeress of Kell

Belgarath the Sorcerer

Polgara the Sorceress



Here are my top five reasons why Polgara is a formidable female protagonist:

1. Polgara is an enormously powerful sorceress

Her magical skills are renowned and legendary – from healing to casting out demons to bringing down the full power of a storm when she is angry.

“"I abjure thee, creature of darkness," Polgara said in a great voice. "Return to the hell that spawned thee and never more corrupt this world with thy foul presence. Begone and take with thee the one who summoned thee." She raised her hand, and the force of her will, combined with the will of the God Aldur, blazed forth from her palm. There was a vast thunderclap as the demon suddenly exploded into a huge ball of fire with the waters of the harbour geysering up around it.”

“A frosty smile touched Polgara's lips. "You're not nearly as clever as I thought," She said. "Did you actually believe that I twisted your name from you for my own amusement? Were you ignorant of the power over you that you gave me when you spoke your own name? The power of the name is the most elementary of all. I can keep you out of Ce'Nedra's mind now. There's much more, though. For example, I now know that you're at Ashaba, haunting the bat-infested ruins of the House of Torak like a poor, ragged ghost."

A startled gasp echoed through the room.

"I could tell you more, Zandramas, but this is all beginning to bore me." She straightened, her hands still locked at the sides of Ce'Nedra's head. The white lock at her brow flared into incandescence, and the faint whisper became a deafening roar. "Now, begone!" She commanded.'”

2. Polgara is extremely strong and wise

She is long-lived thanks to her use of sorcery and is forced to watch as people she has loved grow old and die.

“As those we’ve come to know and love grow older, it’s absolutely necessary for us to distance ourselves from them. The alternative is quite probably madness. Endless grief will eventually destroy the human mind. We’re not heartless, but we do have duties, and those duties oblige us to protect our ability to function.”

“"We touch other people very briefly and then we are alone again."”

3. Polgara has immense authority

Whether she is the Duchess of Erat or a cook in a kitchen, Polgara has masses of natural authority that ensures people jump at her commands.

“Garion leaped over him, but found himself seized from behind by a half-dozen more men.
"Leave her alone!" He shouted at the guard who was cruelly twisting one of the little Queen's arms behind her back.
"That will be enough!" Polgara's voice cracked from the doorway in the tent. The soldiers stopped, looking uncertainly at one another and somewhat fearfully at the commanding presence in the doorway.'”

4. Polgara is beautiful

Although she grew up as a tomboy, she discovers as a teen that she would far rather dress well and look pretty. I like the fact that she is stunning, but has a womanly figure – her child-bearing hips and large bosom are mentioned a few times, and it is good to know that she isn’t stick thin!

“ ‘Strip.” Arell commanded me.
‘What?” I exclaimed. I didn’t really think I could be shocked, but I was wrong.
‘Take off your clothes, Polgara,’ She said quite firmly. ‘I need to see what I’m working with.’ She studied my near-naked body with pursed lips and a speculative eye. ‘Not too bad.’ She observed.
That was hardly complimentary.
‘You’re lucky, Polgara,’ She told me. ‘Most girls your age are quite flat-chested. I think we might want to take advantage of that to draw away from the fact that you’re just a little hippy.’
‘I’m what?’ I exclaimed.
‘You were built to bear children, Polgara. It’s useful, but it makes your clothes hang all wrong.’
‘Is she telling me the truth?’ I asked Beldaran, speaking in “twin” so Arell couldn’t understand me.
‘You are sort of round down there Pol,’ Beldaran replied. Then she grinned a naughty little grin at me. ‘If we cut it low enough in the back, we could show off the dimples on your bottom.’”

5. Polgara is snarky

One of her favourite past-times is bantering with her irascible father, and she has an extremely sharp tongue when she chooses. Her sarcasm is amusing, albeit rather self-consciously clever at times.

“Polgara looked at Ce'Nedra. "Have you ever noticed that when some people find a notion they think is funny, they tend to keep playing with it long past the point where it bores everyone else to tears?"
Ce'Nedra looked at Silk with a sly little twinkle in her eye. "I've noticed that, Aunt Pol. Do you suppose it might be a result of a limited imagination?"
"I'm sure that's something to do with it, dear," Aunt Pol looked at Silk with a serene smile. "Now, did you want to play some more, Kheldar?"
"Ah... No, Polgara. I don't really think so."”

So there you have it – just five reasons why Polgara is worth considering as a formidable female protagonist. Did you enjoy reading about her in the Eddings’ books? If not, who was your favourite character? Do you have suggestions for other formidable female protagonists you would like to see in future installments?