Elizabeth Bennett, the witty protagonist in Jane Austen's 1813 novel Pride and Prejudice, is the second oldest daughter and is expected to marry for rank and money, embracing singledom to maintain loyalty.
Nancy Drew, an iconic female character in literature, was pioneering in her bold, physically strong, and bright nature. Created by Edward Stratemeyer, she solved problems using her superior brain, making her a standout in thriller novels.
Jo March, a tomboyish second eldest daughter in Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel Little Women, defies societal expectations and is outspoken, despite her lack of interest in marriage.
Lisbeth Salander, a talented computer hacker in Stieg Larrson's 2005 novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, overcomes a horrific childhood to uncover a family mystery while adhering to her own moral code.
Hermione Granger, a key character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, is known for her intelligence and memory, despite her perceived bossiness. She evolves from an eager, scholarly 11-year-old to a confident heroine.
In Zora Neale Hurston's 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God, Janie Crawford, a slave and discontent, overcomes suffering to find true love and herself, overcoming adversity.
In Nathaniel Hawthorne's 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne, a married, separated woman, becomes pregnant and is sentenced to prison, despite her imprisonment, she fights back.