Is a “strong female character” actually feminist?

Admittedly, I never recovered from the era of dystopian literature and cinema. It’s still a guilty pleasure to this day. During its popular phase, everyone knew these titles:

…and the list goes on and on (clearly I am not the only one with a dystopian obsession since there’s SO many)

*Side Note*- Veronica Roth recently published a spin-off to the Divergent series titled The Sixth Faction, which, as a total book nerd, I bought the day of release. Go check it out! (P.S. that totally inspired this post)

But there’s one thing I often wonder about the characters from the following books and movies listed above:

Are these fictional females actually feminists?

Let’s examine some of the most popular FMC’s (in my opinion):

Hermione Granger

Hermione Granger is one of the central characters in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and the best friend of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley. Born to non-magical (Muggle) parents, Hermione is a highly intelligent and talented witch who is sorted into Gryffindor House at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Both Harry and Ron would’ve undoubtedly died in the Philosopher’s Stone (the VERY FIRST novel) if not for Hermione’s exceptional academic ability, quick thinking, and courage. However, besides Hermione’s badass skillset, in what ways can she be viewed as a feminist?

• Values intelligence over traditional femininity
  • Rather than appearance, Hermione values knowledge; thus, she challenges the stereotype that women should prioritize beauty over intellect.
• Excels academically
  • Time and time again, she outperforms many of her male peers and is often the most knowledgeable student.
• Independence
  • Hermione does not rely on the male characters to direct her; rather, she takes action and makes her own decisions.
• Leadership
  • She helps organize and support Dumbledore’s Army while also playing a key role in resistance efforts against Voldemort.
• Advocacy
  • Hermione campaigns for the rights of house-elves (a marginalized group) despite widespread ridicule.
• Refuses Gender Stereotypes
  • She is brave, outspoken, ambitious, and intellectually confident (not submissive, quiet, or small)

Beatrice Prior

My personal favorite, Beatrice “Tris” Prior is the protagonist of Veronica Roth’s Divergent trilogy. She lives in a futuristic society divided into factions – Abnegation, Erudite, Dauntless, Amity, & Candor – based on specific virtues, but she discovers that she is “Divergent,” meaning she does not fit neatly into a single category.

At the start of the series, Beatrice leaves her birth faction, Abnegation, and joins Dauntless. Through such change, she navigates the system governing her society and represents key elements of a badass feminist.

• Challenges societal expectations
  • Rather than simply follow along, Tris refuses to let the society’s faction system define her identity and chooses her own path.
• Exercises personal agency
  • According to her own personal beliefs, she consistently takes control of her future and pursues decisions of her own making instead of following what others tell her.
• Questions unjust systems
  • Tris recognizes the flaws in the faction system and works to challenge the structures that oppress and divide people.
• Acts as a leader
  • Throughout the series, Tris influences others through her courage, determination, and willingness to take action.
• Values independence
  • Rather than rely on romantic relationships, Tris maintains her identity by focusing on her own goals, beliefs, and sense of self.
• Resists authority
  • She speaks out against corruption and refuses to remain silent when confronted with injustice

*sigghhh* My favorite character…I could go on and on, but I digress. Next!

Katniss Everdeen

Katniss Everdeen is the protagonist of Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games trilogy. She lives in District 12, a poor coal-mining district in the dystopian nation of Panem, and volunteers to take her younger sister Prim’s place in the Hunger Games, a televised competition in which children are forced to fight to the death.

At some point, I am convinced that everyone had a thing for this series, and how could you not with the song “Hanging Tree” and iconic lines like, “Fire is catching…and if we burn, then you burn with us!”

Out of all the characters so far, Katniss undeniably resembles a true feminist THE MOST.

• Exercises agency
  • Rather than bow down to a highly oppressive system, Katniss still makes her own decisions and refuses to let others dictate her actions.
• Rejects traditional gender roles
  • Katniss is a skilled hunter, provider, and survivor, roles that are traditionally associated with male characters.
• Uses intelligence and strength
  • Katniss succeeds not only because of her physical abilities but also because of her strategic thinking and adaptability.
• Becomes a leader & symbol of revolution
  • As the Mockingjay, she inspires resistance against the Capitol and helps mobilize social and political change.
• Refuses to conform to expectations
  • Whether dealing with Capitol stylists, politicians, or game-makers, Katniss often resists attempts to control her image and behavior
• Challenges systems of oppression
  • Katniss’s actions extend beyond personal survival to confronting the structures that exploit and marginalize others.

If you don’t love Katniss Everdeen, then I have decided that YOU are the problem. Wanna argue otherwise? Then talk to the wall!

Tally Youngblood

Tally Youngblood is the protagonist of Scott Westerfeld’s Uglies series. She lives in a futuristic society where every teenager undergoes a mandatory cosmetic surgery at age sixteen to become a “Pretty,” promoting a standard of physical perfection and social conformity.

Perhaps an older dystopian series that a few may not know, but I would still highly recommend! In fact, in 2024, Netflix produced the first film adaptation of the novel; unfortunately, the movie rated poorly on Rotten Tomatoes. Personally, it’s a comfort watch for me (I don’t care what anyone says!). But how can Tally be viewed as a feminist?

• Rejects conformity
  • She learns to resist social pressure to become a “Pretty” simply because everyone else expects her to undergo the procedure.
• Develops an independent identity
  • Throughout the series, Tally discovers who she is beyond society’s labels, expectations, and standards of beauty.
• Questions patriarchal and authoritarian control
  • Tally recognizes how the government manipulates citizens’ bodies and minds, and she actively resists that control.
• Values inner qualities over appearance
  • Her experiences teach her to prioritize character, intelligence, courage, and individuality over physical perfection.
• Acts as a leader
  • Tally becomes an influential figure in efforts to challenge and reform the oppressive systems governing her society.
• Rejects narrow definitions of femininity
  • She shows that women do not have to conform to a single standard of beauty, behavior, or success.

So ultimately:

What does it mean to be a feminist?

Truthfully, there is NO one way to be, look, or act as a feminist. Hell, sometimes you’ll even be a BAD feminist, as Roxane Gay puts it. What’s important is that feminism remains a commitment to equality and personal agency rather than a rigid set of rules that determines who is or is not “feminist enough.”

Nobody is perfect. Goodness knows even fictional characters fail and make mistakes, and it’s only human to do so.

Being a feminist does not require getting everything right all the time. Instead, it means continuing to learn, grow, and advocate for equality, even when you stumble. If these characters teach us anything, it’s that feminism can look different for every person, and that’s exactly what makes it powerful.