When literature tells stories about women

A Thousand Brilliant Suns - Mariam & Laila

Set against the backdrop of Afghanistan from the 1970s to the 2000s, a time of political conflict, war, and gender discrimination, Khaled Hosseini's novel *A Thousand Splendid Suns* recounts the lives of Mariam and Laila – two individuals from vastly different backgrounds who share the same suffering inflicted by society.

An illegitimate child, forced into marriage with a stranger at the age of 15, grew up enduring her husband's beatings. A girl with a beautiful childhood in a modern and happy family loses everything in the smoke and fire of war, only to be thrust into becoming the concubine of that very same violent and patriarchal man. Fate brings them together, enduring both physical and mental abuse. They are not only victims of domestic violence, but also "prey" of a rotten society that despises women.

However, the story of Mariam and Laila doesn't end with prolonged suffering. They support each other through difficulties, lifting each other up when pain weighs them down, and raising their children with all their love and care. Their resilience in standing up and freeing themselves comes not only from their own inner strength but also from the strength, empathy, and inspiration shared by the woman by their side.

"A Thousand Brilliant Suns" explores and celebrates the image of courageous women who stand up for themselves and what they believe in, women who dare to love and care for each other in the darkest prisons, dreaming of a brighter future.

Little Women - Jo March

Little Women is one of the most important classic novels in American literature, telling the story of the coming-of-age of four sisters. Among them, Jo March is the most distinctive character and receives the most attention from readers.

Jo March's appeal stems from her strong, independent personality and burning passion for literature. Refusing to conform to conventional feminine norms, Jo March freely expresses her frankness, sometimes impulsiveness, and firmness in her views on everything, including love. However, despite the heightened individuality in Jo March's character, one still sees the image of a girl who wholeheartedly loves and is willing to do anything for her family.

Jo March represents not only a new generation of women, harboring their own passions and ambitions, but also a young woman growing up grappling with her own anxieties about career, family, love, and purpose in life. An independent and strong woman, yet also very relatable and down-to-earth, her journey of growth resonates with many of us – perhaps that's why she's so beloved.

Anne Shirley, the redhead under the green roof.

Anne Shirley is a name that cannot be overlooked when discussing inspiring female characters in literature. As the protagonist of the novel Anne of Green Gables, Anne Shirley impresses readers with her open, optimistic, courageous, and extremely dreamy personality, despite a difficult childhood before arriving in the village of Avonlea.

The little girl with neatly braided red hair, a vivid imagination, always using grandiose language learned from her favorite books, and always full of enthusiasm – that's the quintessential image of Anne in the reader's mind. She is strong, kind, and never falters in the face of challenges, whether it's convincing her adoptive parents, fitting in at school, or dealing with family difficulties and emotional setbacks. Anne not only endears herself to everyone but also inspires others to find beauty and small joys in the world, even when facing daunting challenges.

Anne Shirley's journey is not simply the personal story of a girl on her path to adulthood; it also involves confronting and fighting against social injustices such as the right to education and gender discrimination. Through this, Anne also becomes a symbol of feminism, daring to stand up for what is right and constantly striving to make the world a better place.

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