A Princess and a Heroine
The world lost a beloved princess and heroine yesterday. The talented, candid, and comedic Carrie Fisher gave life to a character that shaped female roles in the world of fantasy. Princess Leia was not your typical princess. She was a fighter who refused to let the men do all the hard work. Princess Leia provided young women around the world with a role model and paved the way for strong female characters to come, including the witches of the Harry Potter series. Here are some of Leia’s most resonating quotes paired with the witches that best embody them.
You have your moments. Not many of them, but you do have them.” – Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
This quote reminds me most of Professor McGonagall’s candor. Even when giving a compliment, she makes sure to keep the receiver in check. After Harry and Ron’s troll rescue, she tells them, “5 points will be awarded to each of you. For sheer dumb luck.”
Why, you stuck up, half-witted, scruffy-looking Nerf herder!” – Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back
In Prisoner of Azkaban, Hermione Granger lets loose like this as the insults fly at Draco Malfoy, shouting, “You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach!”
Someone has to save our skins. Into the garbage chute, flyboy.” – Episode IV – A New Hope
There is no one “best” quote to pair with this one. Of the countless times Hermione’s cool use of intellect saved Harry and Ron’s lives, it is just a given that she embodies this take-charge comment by Princess Leia.
Well, I guess you don’t know everything about women yet.” – Episode IV – A New Hope
Leia and Hermione spend a great deal of time teaching the men in their lives how little they understand about human behavior, particularly as it relates to women and relationships. As Leia struggled with Han, Hermione also struggled with Ron: “Just because it’s taken you three years to notice, Ron, doesn’t mean no one else has spotted I’m a girl!”
Would it help if I got out and pushed?” – Episode IV – A New Hope
The delicate art of sarcasm is perfected by both Princess Leia and Professor McGonagall. Neither of them has time for incompetence. McGonagall serves Harry and Ron a saucy line in Sorcerer’s Stone, “Perhaps it would be more useful if I were to transfigure Mr. Potter or yourself into a pocket watch? That way, one of you might be on time… Then perhaps a map? I trust you don’t need one to find your seats.”
Carrie Fisher brought to fiction a character as strong and sassy as she was. Through her portrayal as Princess Leia, she encouraged the creation of strong female characters to come. Minerva McGonagall and Hermione Granger are two female lead characters that followed her example of strength, fierceness, independence, and heart. There are many more women who have followed in Leia and Carrie’s footsteps, and there will undoubtedly be more to come.
Wands up in remembrance of our galactic Princess Leia, Carrie Fisher. Rest in peace.
And sometimes life actually gives to you by taking away.” – Carrie Fisher, Wishful Drinking