For young women only?

Hmm. I kinda liked Rowan, more than her daughter anyway. But I liked Althea, too. Different type, different taste.
 
^^ Thanks Alexa. But Rowan was a okay character- though I still want to know why she isn't Earth Prime. That's plain wrong.
 
Do you remember she was not quite a gift before her marriage ? And how many got fired before Afra ? If I understood right, the Earth Prime had to be very strong in telephatie and balanced as a person in order to help the others with the right decision in need. I belive Rowan was quite close to this position, but she had to take care of Damia. Hmm. That's an interesting character. She loved Afra since she was born, more than her parents. If Rowan dreamed to be a Prime before marriage, her daughter dreamed about Afra all her life.
 
H. Earth prime from what I've seen was no more balanced than Rowan. Why have there been no female Earth Prime's? Does a feminie mind automatically exclude the position of most power?

or am I merely an unusual girl with unusual expectations of female heroines?
 
A feminine mind, no. But even in the real life the society puts forward men and women behind. In my opinion, Anne McCaffrey considered that in her novels. I don't say it's fair. Althea also needed Brahen, with all her strong character and ambition to win.

Maybe in the next century, women will have their right place, on the same position.:)
 
As Alexa pointed out, the Rowan was to erratic to become earth prime. It had nothing to do with her femininity. Yes, i have noticed that a lot of maccaffrey heroines do tend to deffer to their male counterparts, and yet, this in itself is true to life. as much as we might scream and wish it were other wise. the best way to make men do things is to let them think its their idea in the first place and guide them. And right or wrong, principles or no, women tend to do whats most effective. I always ranted that i would never use that sort of approach with my life, and yet, i have found myself doing so as an effective means of getting the job done.
 
There is a significant difference between Althea/ Brashen and Mccaffrey 'heroines.' Althea was a strong character in her own right, forthright and bold. Brashen and her melded perfectly- each with strength and weakness's of their own. Althea does not defer to Brashen except in situations such as those aboard the whaler ship.

McCaffrey unfortunately perpetuates that view of women. It is not good enough to say 'that is the way things are and it might change soon.' Female science fiction writers can take the step in their own hands by portraying smart, powerful, feminine woman who are strong enough and capable to manage things in their own books.

McCaffrey does not give a proper view of women at all, disappointing as she is one of the most well known. When compared to other science fiction female writers she certainly comes out second best.

Laria could not manage without a man by her side- a disgraceful state to portray things. Are women so totally bound to whoever their latest boyfriend is?
Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that they shouldn't have husbands etc- this is an important side of women that needs to be explored, but I am saying they should be strong enough so that if it is necessary they can manage on their own.
On the other hand this is just my opinion, and I do cantankerous rather well for someone who isn't an old man :)
 
Amber said:
McCaffrey unfortunately perpetuates that view of women. It is not good enough to say 'that is the way things are and it might change soon.' Female science fiction writers can take the step in their own hands by portraying smart, powerful, feminine woman who are strong enough and capable to manage things in their own books.

McCaffrey does not give a proper view of women at all, disappointing as she is one of the most well known. When compared to other science fiction female writers she certainly comes out second best.

Laria could not manage without a man by her side- a disgraceful state to portray things. Are women so totally bound to whoever their latest boyfriend is?
Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that they shouldn't have husbands etc- this is an important side of women that needs to be explored, but I am saying they should be strong enough so that if it is necessary they can manage on their own.
On the other hand this is just my opinion, and I do cantankerous rather well for someone who isn't an old man :)
Click to expand...

Are you saying that all female characters in books should be strong, independant and all that? Surely that isn't a fair representation. Now, I haven't read McCaffrey, so I can't comment specifically, and try to avoid cliche-ridden fantasy series, but its nice and easy to write like that, and sells books;) And besides, I'm sure some women are like that, in the same way that some men are totally controlled by whoever their latest girlfriend is... I think the mistake you're making is assuming that one female character represents all women;)
Like I said, I haven't read McCaffrey, so please correct me if I'm wrong. And I have no intention of getting into discussions about feminism and the like, which I don't really have a very well informed view on:cool:
 
No... Not all women are like that unfortunately. I'm just saying *no* Mccaffrey women are like that. It's bought by men who would like it to be true that woman are like that. Anyhow, it's science fiction not a sociology novel- it's futuristic, not today. We don't need to project old stereotypes. We'll invent our own! :rolleyes:

Michael Collins quote there :)

Hey at least we've had a good discussion
 
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Unfortunately? If everyone (or in this case, all women) was the same, life would be hellishly boring;)

I have trouble with associating fantasy and science fiction to real life. The point is surely that its a completely different culture to our own. If the author is good, they wont fall into the trap of making the issues and results that same as they have turned out in our own.

I know I've rather belaboured this point, but I haven't read McCaffrey, I'm talking about a general case really, not specifics;)
 
Yeah, I totally agree. Boring world if we were all perfect. But I like science fiction with a mix of people and issues. I'm sure you're all tired of me belabouring Robin Hobb, but that's where she's right- she has strong women *and* weak women, just as she has strong men *and* weak men.

I have to put up with casual sexism even in this society of the 21st century, and I'd rather escape into something without it, or which deals with the issue, rather than something which propogates it

Nice sign off line btw
 
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