Females throughout history have experienced many struggles being a woman. From protesting to get the vote and standing up for equal rights, women have worked hard to get the freedoms they have today. It was with the rise of Elizabeth I in England that a new approach to women throughout literature and the media can be seen. She has been celebrated as an English embodiment of feminine strength and was patron to Shakespeare and Marlowe Elizabeth strayed from being the traditional women figure, and became a brave and rebellious leader. Of course Elizabeth did not act this way for fun, she did it as she felt it was the necessary action to take. Today, females in books and movies have strayed further from traditional roles in order to lead successful lives. Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games trilogy faces the pressure of the capital and wishes to fight to make change. Hanna, from the 2011 film Hanna, is raised through the teaching of her father to become an assassin in order to avenge a murdered mother. Beatrice, in the Divergent trilogy works to hide her true identity of being divergent as she knows the consequences if her truth be revealed. Later, of course, she too becomes an agent for change. Each character, then, coming from different backgrounds and lifestyles, must break away from tradition and take action to bring balance to their worlds and take revenge on those who have harmed them. All three women must learn the actions, attitudes and ways of what is known as the avenging angel. They must rise out of their traditional female roles in order to become great fighters so that they can continue to live their lives.
The traditional view and role of women was to be considered second to the male head of household and do no more than look after domestic and family affairs. They were a man’s servant, doing all the chores, cooking all the meals, and caring for the children. One may not mention a women coming close to a battlefield, unless they were a nurse. Elizabeth was one of the first to take the risk of “interrupting” the battlefield. She marched on the field and spoke; “I know I have the body of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too.” These words could be considered spoken by one of history’s first avenging angel. As time passes, many more avengers would follow, and they become visible especially through movies. Hanna, a 2011 film directed by Joe Wright carries the story of a sixteen- year- old girl who is raised by her father to be an assassin in order to avenge the death of her mother. Joan of Arc, a 1999 film directed by Christian Duguay, reveals the true historical story of Joan as she works to unite France under King Charles. Both films showcase women straying from tradition in order to achieve a goal. Whether it is uniting a country and bravely fighting the enemy or avenging a murderer, each of these girls can be considered avenging angels.
Sixteen year old Hanna has one thing on her mind, to seek revenge on the one who killed her mother. In order to achieve this, Hanna must learn, through the knowledge of her father, the lifestyle and ways of an assassin. Living in the woods of Northern Finland, she already has a different lifestyle of the typical teenage girl. Her whole living environment in which she was raised is simply filled with the tools that will make her a fighter. The animals around her are the practice target of a human. In fact the movie opens up with her shooting an arrow at a moose and her saying, “I just missed your heart”. Hanna is eager to train as she knows what she wants to achieve. She finally realizes her true duty after they reveal her location to agents that have been searching for her father for many years. Hanna throws away all childlike behaviour and went into full assassin mode. She becomes a fighter, a girl with no thoughts of defeat and all intentions of success. No teenage girl would typically want to be handed the task that Hanna was given and as well, they would not be able to handle them the same as her. She used every trick her father taught her and in the end she found success. In one scene particularly, Hanna used her speed and agility in order to run from Marissa and her fellow agents. Throughout the movie her undercover identity as well helped her keep out of reach with the agency and allowed her to find allies such as Sophie to become friends with and stay away from danger. Hanna became a grown assassin who sought revenge. It is her strong dedication to her mission and her strategic, on the spot thinking as well as the department from the traditional, weak feminine role would that truly define her as an avenging angel.
Joan of Arc, also known as “The Maid of Orleans” is a national heroine in France. The movie, Joan of Arc follows the young eighteen year old girl as she grows to be a true warrior. Joan, just like Elizabeth felt that although she had the body of a woman, she could fight just as hard as any man. Beginning around age twelve, she heard the voices of St Michael, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret. Six years later, she began her mission to unite France under King Charles. In May 1428, Joan traveled to Vaucouleurs, where she asked for permission to join the dauphin in his fight against Charles. After being sent home, a year later she returned to Orleans and she was given several military men for the fight. Joan fought not as the outer girl in which everyone looked to her as. She fought as the inner man, by cutting her hair and dressing more like a man. Her first strategy, the non aggressive approach was not effective so Joan sought to change the approach and the tide of the war. Joan’s determination while fighting as her inner man illustrates how she is able to become an avenging angel. She moved away from the traditional ways largely by changing her appearance, but more so her actions and the move more towards violence really showcase Joan on the rise. During the siege, Joan was shot through the neck with an arrow, but she did not give up and quickly returned to fight. Her unstoppable spirit caused her to be an influential person in France, even after her death at the age of nineteen. Not only did Joan manage the title of a national heroine in France, she also can go by the title of an avenging angel.
In the first of the trilogy by Suzanne Collins , The Hunger Games, readers are introduced to a dystopian future North America where people of different districts are forced to participate in an annual televised death match called the “hunger games”. These games include two tributes from each of the twelve districts, one boy and one girl, and each must fight to win in honor of their district. The Hunger Games came after an uprising many years before the novel takes place. The capital says that they came with “the treaty of treason gave us the new laws to guarantee peace and, as our yearly reminder that the Dark Days must never be repeated, it gave us the Hunger Games” (Collins, Hunger Games 18). The capital, being the centre of the districts, enforces all the rules and feel that the games are needed in order to maintain peace. Katniss Everdeen, one of many who live in District Twelve, is no fan of how the capital is being ruled. The games are a simple form of entertainment for them. Katniss, being sixteen, must partake in the games herself by placing herself as a possible tribute. Throughout the novel, sacrifice is a common theme, in fact, without Katniss’ first sacrifice, the novel would have no meaning. ‘“ I volunteer!” I gasp “ I volunteer as tribute!”’ (Collins, Hunger Games 5-6). Katniss, being the protector in the family, offers herself as District Twelve’s tribute, so that her sister would not have to. This sacrifice which Katniss takes is the first step on her journey to becoming an avenging angel. Katniss volunteers for the obvious reason of family, but she also does it as she knows that what the capital is doing is wrong. The capital has no idea of her thoughts, and understand she just did this to free her sister. Her secrecy was her first step to becoming an avenging angel and her next would be showcased throughout the games.
Katniss now is in the mindset of a fighter. She has volunteered to be a part of these games so that her sister would not have to fight. Her first step has been achieved, now she must worry what may happen next. She must win the games so that she can return home and continue to care for her sister. Before entering the games, all tributes have a chance to gather the attention of possible sponsors. ‘“ I want the audience to recognize you when you’re in the arena,... Katniss, the girl who was on fire”’ ( Collins, Hunger Games ). Cinna, Katniss’ stylist, speaks this quotation as her understands how necessary it is to make Katniss stand out. By standing out during the ceremony, Katniss is able to attract fans and gather sponsors that could provide her gifts that are crucial through the games. To Katniss, having the name “girl on fire” is not quite enough in order for her to prove her point. During the rankings, Katniss made sure all eyes were on her as she fired an arrow at the judges, in the end giving her a rank of eleven. This stunt would not be considered done by a traditional female. Katniss shows she is more than a “girl” on fire. Her determination becomes a powerful threat to both the capital and the tributes, especially as she rises as a solid avenging figure.
Katniss, now being a solid contender in the games must search for ways in which can help her to succeed. She now she has the skills to hunt, and intent of a fighter. The quotation below states that Katniss feels “ impotent” or weak against the capital. Despite this, she resolves to continue to fight the greater powers of the capital for herself, her family and all those in her district. The fact that she angrily wants to take revenge makes her an avenging angel
"Rue's death has forced me to confront my own fury against the cruelty, the injustice they inflict upon us. But here, even more strongly than at home, I feel my impotence. There's no way to take revenge on the Capitol. Is there?" (Collins, Hunger Games 236)
Katniss looks back at Rue’s death and establishes that the first step towards finding her identity was to witness parts of her emotional side. Everyone has an emotional side but Katniss has the ability to use both her emotions and violence to prove worthy of the avenging angel. Her bravery also stands to be exceptional when she risks her life to prove a point to the capital by eating poisonous berries and leaving the games with no victor.
“And right now, the most dangerous part of the Hunger Games is about to begin.” Katniss speaks these very words at the end of chapter 26 after Haymitch reveals that the capital was angry with what she had done. Even though Katniss won the games, she is still in danger. Katniss had to portray herself as desperately in love with Peeta and hide any appearance of being a rebel. In Catching Fire, the second of the trilogy, Katniss is forced back into battle.
"'And if a girl from District Twelve of all places can defy the Capitol and walk away unharmed, what is to stop them from doing the same?...What is to prevent, say, an uprising?'" (Collins, Catching Fire 21)
President Snow officially classifies Katniss as the face of rebellion in Panem. Katniss was not thinking about the consequences of her actions during the Games, and her behavior is a key threat to the authority of a country that depends on the cooperation of its Districts. The Quarter Quell, a special Hunger Games performed every 25 years, reflects the Capitol’s victory in the war by punishing the Districts especially brutally. This years Quarter Quell would feature all tributes being people who have participated and already won the games. Katniss, being the only female from District Twelve would have to go and again prove the capitol for a second time. The Capitol wants to prove that no one is in control of their own destiny, not even those who have played their game and won. Katniss again goes back and fights alongside Peeta and again she proves herself a threat. “...but I'm the mockingjay. I'm the mockingjay and it's too hard keeping me alive as it is." (Collins, Catching Fire 387) Twice being forced into a harsh survival game Katniss in the end retaliates with everything she has. Going into the arena, Katniss had the mindset to keep Peeta alive, the rebels had another plan- bring down the Games and save Katniss. Katniss reacts as usual, with unthinking brutality, but then soon understands she is simply the face of the rebellion. Katniss is the mockingjay that can’t be harmed, not even by Haymitch. Her importance as a heroine and leader in this rebellion helps to define her as the avenging angel.
Just as the title of the book Divergent says, one choice does transform a person. In fact throughout the popular series by Veronica Roth, a single choice can do much to change a person’s life. In the first novel, Divergent, Beatrice Prior lives in what could be described as the future Chicago. Within this futuristic Chicago lies five different factions that separate society. Each faction thinks one virtue is best: Dauntless think bravery is a must, Erudite love knowledge, Abnegation is all for self-sacrifice, Amity loves friendship, and Candor is into sharing the truth. Beatrice grew up as part of the abnegation faction. Turning sixteen now meant that Beatrice has the responsibility to participate in the aptitude test to declare which of the five factions she belongs to. After taking the test, Beatrice learns that she is unlike many within Chicago. Her test results are secretive and can be looked at as;
"'People who get this kind of result are...' She looks over her shoulder like she expects someone to appear behind her. '...are called...Divergent.' She says the last word so quietly that I almost don't hear it, and her tense, worried look returns." (Roth, Divergent 22)
Beatrice learns for the first time the meaning of the label that would follow her for the rest of her life. She has now been placed in a situation where she must make one choice and that decision would decide her future. The pressure is on her but she handles the situation with little worry. On the day of the choosing, Beatrice follows her gut and decides on joining the Dauntless. But joining Dauntless isn't just about showing up and taking part. All the initiates must train and compete to get into the faction. Beatrice begins to showcase the characteristics of an avenging angel within the training period. She participates in activities that most women would not participate in, such as fighting and firing a gun. “ I push my family from my mind, set my feet shoulder-width apart, and delicately wrap both hands around the handle of the gun...I don’t know where my bullet went, but I know it’s not near the target” (Roth, Divergent 78). Beatrice must now put family aside and focus on how to become a brave warrior. The more she trains and works towards that goal, she proves herself to be more of an avenging angel. Another focus on the growth of one’s identity can be the physical transformation of the character itself. Beatrice takes the transformation from Abnegation to Dauntless as an easy fix, first by changing her name. "A new place, a new name. I can be remade here. 'Tris,' I say firmly." (Roth, Divergent 60). At this moment, Beatrice is not just changing her name, but she is also embracing a new ‘self’. By getting rid of her Abnegation name, she is now accepting that she has moved on and can immerse herself in the new world she has chosen. Her next step to becoming a new Beatrice and building her identity as an avenging angel would be her adaptation to the ways of the Dauntless. With the help of Christina and Tori, Tris now looks more like the Dauntless. Her dress has changed from the girly dresses to the dark jumpsuits and her skin is even marked with a tattoo. Even in the second book, Insurgent, Tris continues to transform, cutting her hair short and becoming a more daring character. Beatrice resembles that of Joan of Arc in a sense through the transformation of image. Joan transformed to become more manly to be appreciated. Beatrice transformed to make herself feel more fierce and dangerous. No matter the reasons behind the transformation, Beatrice is throwing away her traditional self. She dropped the name, dropped the clothes, and dropped the actions of the abnegation child and soon picked up the idea of becoming an avenging angel. Within the Dauntless faction, two words can describe the adventure, bravery and fear. A tribute must overcome their many fears, by becoming more brave and fearless of their surroundings. Beatrice is aware of these terms immediately on the first day of joining her new faction when asked to ‘jump’ aboard the train instead of waiting for a stop. Shortly after reaching the Dauntless territory, all tributes were expected to fall, thousands of feet down, through a hole that would lead them to their home. Beatrice volunteers as the first to jump to let the people know she is not a girl to be pushed around. This was not the only action Beatrice took that risked her life, in fact as a Dauntless, she was constantly participating in activities that could only be done with a large amount of bravery. When one of her fellow tributes was being ‘bullied” during the knife throwing, she spoke and told the leaders to stop. She then had to replace the spot of her friend, standing at the target while Four threw knives.Dauntless was founded through the ideals of bravery, as spoke by Will in the manifesto, "'We believe in ordinary acts of bravery, in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another.'" (Roth, Divergent 206). These brave acts carry on throughout the novel, and furthermore throughout the series. Her fight at the end of Divergent was simply not the only fight she would partake in. As a divergent she will always be at risk, constantly fighting to defend herself. "I feel like someone breathed new air into my lungs. I am not Abnegation. I am not Dauntless. I am Divergent."(Roth, Divergent 442). She at the end of the book realizes she will never fit into just one faction. She will always have the traits of multiple ideas, making her a unique figure that can never be controlled. Her realization of herself and large acts of bravery lead her to be a stronger person. So strong that she continues to stray away from a typical girl’s lifestyle, and become a fighter, and a true avenging angel. Through the ideas of many books and videos, the new concept of women straying from tradition has been raised. Women now showcase a more powerful role, portraying the name of an avenging angel. This significant figure of the women avenger is witnessed more often now and is a growing concept within the media. Through the movies Hanna and Joan of Arc, people are able to witness young girls who throw away the traditional view of a female in order to succeed through many battles. Katniss Everdeen, in the Hunger Games, goes from being an innocent girl to a simple enemy of the capitol. Beatrice, in Divergent, finds bravery through many violent actions taught by the Dauntless. Each of the above characters, although coming from different pastimes, all have one thing in common, they all stand as an avenging angel. An avenging angel is simply one who has the determination to believe and fight. They strive away from traditional female roles and sway more towards the lifestyles of a man. “I am not afraid...I was born to do this”. These simple words spoken by Joan of Arc express her loyalty to becoming a great fighter and can simply defy what makes her, likewise the other characters, an avenging angel.