Category Archives: Women’s Roles In Fantasy Fiction

A look at how women appear to be portrayed in that mythical beast “typical fantasy” (i.e. faux-medieval) and some suggestions for role models.

Women’s Role Models: Politicians

  March 14, 2012 - 17:44 | Women's Roles In Fantasy Fiction
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Okay, the now traditional reminders first. I’m focussing on the period between 800-1600 A.D. (or C.E.). I’ve specifically picked this period because this tends to be the inspiration for “medieval” fantasy although this actually covers a number of historic time periods. However you split the time frame up, a lot of things changed so any generalisations will be crude and possibly insulting.

The disclaimers:

  • I am doing this from a (white) British point of view.

    • … Continue reading →

    Women’s Role Models: Generals

      March 7, 2012 - 17:46 | Women's Roles In Fantasy Fiction
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    So, it’s time to look at “General”s a bit more and consider what kind of woman ends up as one. As with the previous posts in this series, this will look at some actual examples, then some more recent examples or suggestions, finishing off with what this means from a fantasy fiction point of view.

    For those new to this series of posts or those who want a reminder, I’m focussing on the period between … Continue reading →

    Women’s Role Models: Soldiers

      February 29, 2012 - 17:21 | Women's Roles In Fantasy Fiction
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    In this post, I’m looking at the character type I defined as a “Soldier” a bit more in-depth with the character types covered. As before, this will look at some actual examples, then some more recent examples or suggestions, finishing off with what this means from a fantasy fiction point of view.

    As with all previous posts (Women’s Roles in Fantasy Fiction, Women’s … Continue reading →

    Women’s Role Models: Ringers

      February 22, 2012 - 17:31 | Women's Roles In Fantasy Fiction
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    In this and the following posts, I hope to go a bit more in-depth with the character types covered in the Women’s Role Models: Introduction post (in other words, actually discuss some role models) and then look at things from a more modern perspective as well as what this means from a fantasy fiction point of view.

    As with the previous post and the starting point ( Continue reading →

    Women’s Role Models: An Introduction

      February 15, 2012 - 18:08 | Women's Roles In Fantasy Fiction
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    As I commented on the Women’s Roles in Fantasy Fiction post (rather than in because my brain had started to melt by the time I got to 5000 words), there are real examples of women taking on important roles in history. I hope to put together a few posts about them, starting with this one. I will link forward to the connecting, more specific posts once they’re written, so … Continue reading →

    Women’s Roles in Fantasy Fiction

      February 7, 2012 - 22:50 | Women's Roles In Fantasy Fiction
    4 Comments

    This post is based partly on email conversations with Dylan Fox [External Link] about one of my works in progress, The Three Guineveres. In re-jigging the Arthur / Guinevere material and trying to make a workable version of my own (the movie credit would read “inspired by”), I’m wandering into some difficult areas that could give the reader the impression that the fictional character’s thinking is my own – and as it’s not … Continue reading →