[DFT] Fw: [ChivalryToday] The Lady Is A Hero

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----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott A. Farrell" <scott at ChivalryToday.com>
To: <ChivalryToday at YahooGroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 07, 2003 7:11 PM
Subject: [ChivalryToday] The Lady Is A Hero


The Lady Is A Hero
By Scott Farrell
©2003 Shining Armor Enterprises
www.ChivalryToday.com

One of the common misperceptions about the Code of Chivalry is that it
is inherently "sexist." The epic tales of the Middle Ages are filled
with bold knights rescuing ladies in peril, which causes some readers
to think the stories perpetuate the stereotype that women are weak and
helpless, and thus exist in a state of subservience to men. This
interpretation is one of the reasons why many people think chivalry is
obsolete in the 21st century.

In contrast, critics point to the rise of the "tough lady" hero in
popular media to demonstrate that women have broken through the
restrictions of the Code of Chivalry. Heroic roles which would once
have been fulfilled by men are now taken by characters like Captain
Kathryn Janeway, Agent Sydney Bristow, explorer Lara Croft, police
examiner Kay Scarpetta and vampire slayer Buffy Summers.

Perhaps today's most prominent tough lady is the secret agent called
Jinx, who, in the blockbuster "Die Another Day," shared the spotlight
with James Bond - a figure who has epitomized the masculine image of a
gallant hero since 1953. Ladies like Jinx and the others don't need to
be rescued by knights in shining armor - they're quite capable of
leading their own rescues.

Do such tough lady characters really demonstrate that chivalry is dead?
Each of these female characters is as strong, brave and resourceful as
the male heroes of ages past, but they don't solve every challenge with
blazing guns or flying fists. These characters also possess a capacity
for compassion and introspection. They show mercy to repentant enemies,
and they generously reconcile with those seeking forgiveness. They are
capable of soothing conflict and facilitating cooperation with faith
and optimism, and they employ physical force only as a last resort.
(Even if that "last resort" does come predictably in the final act.
These are still adventure stories, after all.)

In fact, characters like Janeway, Summers, Scarpetta and the others are
ideal examples of Chivalry Today, mixing courage with conviction,
action with integrity - just as chivalric male heroes from El Cid to
the Lone Ranger to Luke Skywalker have done in the past. Although the
woman as an adventure hero is, in fact, a relatively new literary
figure, there's no doubt that King Arthur would have been proud to have
any of these valiant ladies sitting with him at the Round Table.

In the annals of chivalric literature, today's tough lady heroes carry
on the tradition of the knight in shining armor. Tough-as-nails
heroines in contemporary books, movies, television shows and video
games do not demonstrate that chivalry is dead, but rather that the
Code of Chivalry is alive and well and gracefully moving forward into
the 21st century.

= = = = = = =
"At one point, a shotgun was leveled at his face, but he continued
unperturbed ... " Read a dramatic new account of an unlikely knight in
shining armor, as well as other real-life "Portraits in Chivalry" at
the Chivalry Today website. (In the left-hand navigation bar.)

= = = = = = =
Readers are encouraged to pass this column on to others who may be
interested in exploring the Code of Chivalry in history, literature or
real life, such as teachers, executives, co-workers, athletes, children
or anyone who is inspired by heroism and honor. Please include all
attributions and copyrights when sharing Chivalry Today articles.
Copyright 2003 Scott Farrell and Shining Armor Enterprises. Visit our
website at www.ChivalryToday.com .

www.ChivalryToday.com
Celebrating the knight in shining armor within us all!

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