[C Of K]

the faery queen makes good points. But this mostly just illustrates differing points of view. I can see how she would perceive things the way she does, that all of Jordan's women are weak. That's not necessarily my point of view on the matter, but she isn't wrong.

Perrin did spank Faile. As I recall she'd been pummeling him at the time, even after he'd displayed distaste for her treatment of him. But I don't necessarily disagree with the faey queen as much as I see things differently.

That Perrin spanked Faile does not show strength on Perrin's part. If anything it shows that they may both be weak individuals. That men can make all the important decisions, just because they are men, does not show strength, either.

The maidens of the spear, none of which are regularly featured characters by the eleventh book, will die for Rand, but when he dishonors him, they've been known to take it out on him violently. Many of them are strong characters, but no single maiden is featured as one of the more important characters, now.

Strength can be portrayed in the making of decisions in books, or in real life, but really that's only a small aspect of what strength is. Lan, for instance, is usually portrayed as a very strong man, but he's taken orders from women for decades. Is he any less strong for being able to do so?

I don't believe so. Lan knows his role, has excepted his role, and carries it out to the best of his ability. That sounds a lot like strength to me. The world would get nowhere if everyone was pulling clout on everyone.