March 17, 2014
Writing for The New Yorker, freelance author Anna Holmes, offers a tribute to three heroines (and understated feminist champions) from 20th century literature. Well, two literary figures and one cartoon character. While Lisa Simpson may be more familiar to the contemporary culture of TV Land, she serves as an introduction to (and manifestation of) the enlightened, audacious girlhood of Scout Finch, from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, and Louise Fitzhugh’s protagonist, Harriet Welsch, from Harriet the Spy.
Holmes’ article offers a brilliant and engaging assessment of these female characters and what they can teach us about being (or encouraging) the subversive “bad-girl” that our world needs so desperately. Anna Holmes proves that these characters remain ever relevant and potent. Thanks to her for inspiring us to read these novels again, perhaps for the first time. Don’t miss this.
posted by Corbin Lambeth
