"My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me" 💜

On Katie Fforde and Her ‘Spunky’ Heroines

#onherbirthdaytoday #inspirational

The Archetype of the “Spunky Heroine”

27 September

A ‘spunky heroine’ is a character who is high-spirited and brave, with a ‘can-do’ attitude, eager to tackle problems rather than giving up. They have a cheerful outlook to life, and can uplift the mood of others.

This archetype of the ‘spunky heroine’ – female lead characters who don’t shy away from challenges and are proactive in pursuing their goals, even in the face of societal pressures or personal hardships – is found in various literatures across various time periods. We shall just take two for ensamples!

Firstly, let’s take the case of Elizabeth Bennet from Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Elizabeth is known for her intelligence, wit, and strong will. She is a ‘spunky’ character who boldly stands up to societal expectations and refuses to marry for financial security, instead insisting on a marriage based on love and mutual respect.

And I quote –

Elizabeth saw what he was doing, and at the first convenient pause turned to him with an arch smile, and said, -

You mean to frighten me, Mr. Darcy, by coming in all this state to hear me. But I will not be alarmed though your sister does play so well.

There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate me.

Bronte’s Jane Eyre is yet another example to the spunky heroine archetype, who boldly stands up to injustice from a young age and is determined to maintain her independence and integrity, even when it means making difficult choices.

Secondly, sample this from Jane Eyre –

I care for myself. The more solitary, the more friendless, the more unsustained I am, the more I will respect myself.

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will!

Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup?

Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart!

And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh; - it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal,- as we are!”... therefore I am better than you - let me go!

In like manner, Katie Fforde’s heroines lend themselves to the ‘spunky heroine’ archetype. They are are known for being resourceful and proactive, often facing a personal setback and choosing to rebuild their lives in a positive way.

Instead of passively waiting for a man to solve their problems, they embark on new ventures and pursue their own passions.

So finally, let’s consider the ‘spunky’ character Polly from Katie Fforde’s Living Dangerously for an example.

When her friends and mother are trying to set her up with a husband, Polly is content to be single and focusses on her job and her passion for pottery. She is an independent character who resists pressure to conform to others’ expectations.

Here goes the text –

Oh, stuff the family unit. I admit there are times when it would be nice to have a man about the place, but once you’ve got the hang of a Black and Decker, those times are very few and far between. And think what you give up. Just because the ballcock on the loo needs replacing from time to time. I couldn’t make the compromises, not at my age.

‘Thirty-five is not old.’

Bridget was forty-one.

‘I know, but it is mature. I’ve lived on my own since I was twenty-five. I have my little ways – you might even say I’m a touch sluttish . . .’

PS: You may want to read on the Spunky Characters in Literature, with reference to the ‘Concept of Self’ Series, in our past blogposts, from January 2019, HERE.