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Originally Posted by Thadlerian  However, it should also be noted that Jordan does nothing new, he just emphasizes a trend that has become common in SF/F (and mainstream media as well?), most likely as a half-hearted attempt to satisfy feminism, in which the formula has become the following: Female strenght = Power. Male strenght = Propensity to do objective good. Use of this formula can be found with writers as diverse as David Eddings and Kim Stanley Robinson.
The "damsel in distress" is no longer accepted; she has now been replaced by the "incompetent tomboy". |
I think you make a good point, Thadlerian. I see that as well...and thats what made me so irritated with Jordan's characterization of women. Its as if when he sat down to write his book, he said to himself, "now how can I characterize ALL THE FEMALES?" seeing them all as one singular force, as opposed to treating of each of them as separate complex beings (like he does with his male characters). Its as if he considers women to have a sort "ant hive" mentality. Perhaps, as he say so often in his book, he just "doesn't understand women."