5 Ways Heroines Differ from Heroes

by Rebecca Cuningham

Gender and anatomy are not on the list, for good reason. As Gail Carringer talks about in her The Heroine’s Journey; a woman can behave like a hero, and a man as a heroine. Two of her movie examples are Wonder Woman (2017) who was a hero and Harry Potter who behaves like a heroine. How are the heroine and hero’s journey’s different? Carringer’s work gives many examples. Here are my top five after reading her book:

  1. Heroines don’t refuse the call to action when crisis strikes; the hero initially would.
  2. Heroines look for friends and allies, the hero must go it alone.
  3. A heroine is allowed to ask for help; a hero accepting aid signifies weakness.
  4. A heroine will use her network to gather information; the hero sharpens his sword for combat.
  5. Wrapping up the story the heroine compromises; while the hero conquers.

Have you read about the hero or heroine’s journey before? How do you see your own life journey?

I’m heading into rewrites of my memoir next week using the heroine’s journey as structure. I’m very excited to return to this project of my heart.

Have an Earth Day poem growing in your recycling bin?

¡Olé! –Rebecca

Yellow Tulips Photo: RC
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Rebecca Cuningham

36 thoughts on “5 Ways Heroines Differ from Heroes”

  3. Thanks for mentioning Gail Carringer’s book. I’ve never read any book that discusses this difference. As a woman, I instinctively know that our journey of heroism differs from that of the male, especially in a patriarchal world.

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  4. Interesting stuff. And me? Neither hero, nor heroine. But definitely heroine tendencies if called to be heroic. Not in the matter of the poem though. Earth Day is an important call to reflection, but at the moment, I’m stumped 😦

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    1. As for the heroine, it doesn’t surprise me you are being modest. Since we all are heroes/heroines of our own lives there must be stories to tell. 🙂 For Earth Day you could write a sonnet about a May garland or floral bonnet.

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  5. This is a new idea for me – but I immediately saw the sense in it. Thanks for sharing this Rebecca

    I’m typing this in a club in Wales, waiting for one of my favourite bands to come on stage. It’s their farewell tour. They have called it the “ We are not Touring anymore Tour. “

    Knowing there activitist past , I would say the every member of the band ( all men) are heroines!

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    1. As a multifaceted woman, I bet there are sometimes you act like a hero and others a heroine. Ironically, I’m betting that your mountain climbing activities are the realm of the heroine because it is a team effort and you lift one another up.

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  9. A very thought provoking blog. I would so much rather watch a movie about a heroine instead of a hero. To my mind heroes, at least in the movies, are so predictable….i.e. “Get out the gun…”

    Best wishes on your writing project.

    Cheers,

    Julie

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    1. Thanks, Julie. I agree, how many different solutions can a weapon produce? Communication and compromise can generate many potential strategies and endings. I’ve been working on the “hook” sentence for the first page. I think this one is good and an improvement over the previous one.

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      1. De nada! I like a protagonist who stands up for herself and what she believes in. She gets help/advice from others, but she makes her own decisions. She’s independent and spunky. I like a protagonist who doesn’t run over or disrespect other people. (That last bit also describes what I want in a US President, if you know what I mean!)

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