There is an array of black female characters in fiction that are great topics of discussion — some for good reasons, others not so much. Here are some of the most controversial leading ladies from our favorite novels that we love and hate.
Source: Lionsgate
Rue, The Hunger Games
Though Rue was little and often seen as no competition, she proved herself to be agile and full of surprises. It was her small stature that allowed her the ability to get close to the competition to find out their strengths and weaknesses. Those who read the book before seeing the movie were well aware of Rue’s fate, but we still rooted for her until the end. She was a character that helped us learn about trust, love and sacrifice.
Janie Crawford, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Janie Crawford was not the archetypal strong character initially, but over time no one could argue with her self-determination and her constant search for real love. Each step of Janie’s journey led her deeper into herself. Marrying old man Killicks showed her exactly what she didn’t want and she never settled with him. Meeting and marrying Joe Starks showed her that love existed, but there should never be limits. Then came Tea-cake, who showed her a fresh new love that was full of passion and promise. When he was no longer around she had memories that served her well and she was happy. All of Janie’s journeys led her to self-realization– the true promise land for all women. We couldn’t help loving Janie.
Sula Peace, Sula by Toni Morrison
Oh, Sula! The words that come to mind for Sula are: uncompromising, aggressive, fearless and evil. We are lead to hate Sula because of her disregard for all social conventions and her need to cause trouble wherever she went. When she has an affair with her only friend’s husband she becomes even more out-cast by the community, which ironically becomes closer in light of her evil act. Though Sula was the epitome of evil doings, she forced others to look upon their own lives and see where common living may well be a hindrance to real living.
Robin Stokes, Waiting to Exhale by Terry McMillan
Robin as a high-powered executive was inspiring, but when we got a closer look into her life we found out she was terrible at picking men. Robin’s weakness for Russell was the setup that led to many of her failed relationships. When she had the opportunity to be with a good man, she turned it down by focusing too much on his physical flaws and then she was right back with Russell, who was married and clearly all wrong for her. Many readers had a love/hate relationship with Robin only because it seemed she was ruled mostly by naivety.
Cleo Judson, The Living is Easy by Dorothy West
Cleo was a selfish, , manipulative woman that had the ability to do so much more with power. Many readers feel they have an obligation to hate Cleo because she preyed on anyone who she deemed weaker than her. Her manipulative schemes to lure her sisters away from their husbands made it morally obligatory to hate Cleo even more. West produced a character that should be a cautionary tale to anyone who suffers from self-delusion.
Shelby Cole, The Wedding by Dorothy West
Shelby Cole showed her family that love is bound in truth and that race and class have nothing to do with it. Shelby’s character was a pillar of strength even when she was unsure of her own identity. Shelby was a woman who showed readers that strength and resistance to the status quo is a hard achievement, but it’s extremely necessary.
Nia Simone Bijou, Pleasure by Eric Jerome Dickey
Nia was a woman on a mission. That mission: sexual satisfaction and control. Many women have an innate need for heightened sexual experiences and Nia showed us the way. Nia had no limits when it came to sexual exploits and with each sexual encounter she found herself. A woman has a right to live as she pleases and in this case Nia did.
Lutie Johnson, The Street by Ann Petry
Lutie was a single mother trying desperately to raise her son in Harlem during the 1940s. Though Lutie was beautiful and eager to display her skills, she was often setback by the many plots and jealousies against her. As resilient as Lutie seemed, it became apparent that she was in a circle of oppression that she could not climb out of; therefore she gave up and walked away when she should have fought harder.
Sethe, Beloved by Toni Morrison
To what extent would a person go in order to save their children from a terrifying existence? That question was answered by the actions of Sethe. Some say it was courageous, others say brutal and inhumane. Sethe called it necessary. Sethe is a character one cannot hate or even love; a quiet distance is all that can be offered.
Hosanna Clark, What You Owe Me by Bebe Moore Campbell
Hosanna was a determined and hopeful ray of sunshine and naïve hope. With so many ideas and an entrepreneurial vision that was impressive, we loved Hosanna. It was her belief in others that brought her down. It was actually her belief in a friendship that could not contain itself that really brought her down.
Hattie Shepherd, Twelve Tribes of Hattie by Ayana Mathis
When she loses her babies early on, our hearts swell and mourn for Hattie as her heartbreak settles in. When she subsequently has nine more children, we mourn for them because Hattie raises them with a severe distance. Hattie can be described as cold and distant, but there is courage within her too. As a mother Hattie is strong-willed and stubborn, raw and heartbroken. Some may love her, while others hate her, but being human comes with actions many may not always understand.
Ms. Cellie, The Color Purple by Alice Walker
With so many adversaries in her life, Cellie remained devoted to God and the promise of a better life. Being raped by her stepfather, having her children taken from her, being married off to a cruel man and being separated from her only sister, were just some of the treacherous feats of Cellie’s life. Cellie’s life was clouded with despair, but there were slivers of hope and in the end we all rejoiced for her.
Dana Franklin, Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
It takes much strength, and love, to endure the time travel that Dana had to experience to save her own life. Having to come back to the present and face her white husband after enduring much brutality at the hands of slave owners was a feat many could not endure. Dana was the ultimate self-sacrificing character and readers of Kindred revered her for it.
