What did you think was anti-feminist about Dealing With Dragons, stacer? I'm interested because I don't think I've ever looked at the book critically before.
In general, there are some really nice feminist things going on--the princess is the one making decisions for her life, makes some good friends, is becoming educated about dragon-ness. But then some other things are against the grain, such as her going into servitude to be a cook to a dragon--from princess to servant. Plus, she (what
is her name, anyway?) fits a trend of the time, that of female heroes who are basically men in women's clothing. Robin Mckinley's
Hero and the Crown and
The Blue Sword's Harry is a similar hero--a girl hero who is a hero because she rejects her femininity. Granted, at least in
Dealing with Dragons the princess doesn't reject all things feminine--she still enjoys cooking, and uses thinking skills as well as sheer brawn (or its substitute, magic) to solve political problems among the dragons.
Come to think of it, now that I'm looking at it, I'm not really sure what my arguments are. I have a stronger case against books like the one I have to read right now for class,
Alanna and the First Adventure, in which a lord's daughter, Alanna, wants to be a knight and so disguises herself as a boy, because being a knight is preferable to learning to be a lady--it is
better, not just different.
That said, I really don't have anything against books in which girls kick butt, both physically and mentally. Certainly
Dragons does it with humor. Robin McKinley's books are some of my favorites. But looking through a feminist lens, one begins to wonder, does a character have to act "male" in order to be considered a worthy hero? Is physical strength "male"? If not, why do feminists consider it to be, and how can a woman who considers herself a moderate feminist help change that view?
Also--why can't a female hero be
at once feminine and physically fit/aggressive/etc.? Can't she enjoy needlepoint at home, wearing nice dresses from time to time, but getting on the horse and running a few monsters through from time to time? If I ever get around to writing a book, that girl would be
my hero. Come to think of it, that girl
is me, sans monsters.