But despite so many fantasy stories centering on an "everyman" -- that is, a character that theoretically represents all of us -- the role is rarely filled by a woman. So when you're a girl like me, who loves the fantasy genre, finding a rare female "Chosen One" who's every bit as complex, layered, and downright fun as her male counterparts is kind of a big deal.
Hence, Buffy Summers.
She's made of pure Awesome.
The television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer first premiered 17 years ago this week. In the first episode, we're introduced to Buffy Summers, who is the Slayer -- a girl destined to fight vampires, demons, and the other evil creatures that prey on the unsuspecting humans of the world. Armed with super-strength, inhuman reflexes, and a whole lot of wooden stakes, Buffy and her friends spent seven seasons fighting the forces of darkness, while also trying to navigator the even-more-treacherous waters of adolescence. (It's a toss-up which was the tougher job.)
Read any list of kick-butt female characters, and Buffy invariably merits a spot on the list -- as well she should. There are few female heroes as tough, layered, and inspiring as Buffy Summers. Emphasis, in fact, on "inspiring." So in honor of her 17th anniversary, let's take a look at just five of the ways that Buffy shows us gals that we can all be Chosen Ones:
-- She's just an ordinary girl.
She's got ONE quick little errand to run before the Spring Fling dance.
Okay, so she happens to be the one girl in her generation destined by fate to slay vampires. But she's still your typical teenager: trying out for the cheerleading squad, hanging out with her friends at the local club, checking out the latest fashions, pouring over homework assignments.
And, vampires aside, she's got all the usual teen trials and tribulations to deal with, too: school, parents, troublesome boyfriends, snotty cliques, and grown-ups who just don't understand.
Series creator Joss Whedon always intended to make Buffy the Vampire Slayer a metaphor for high school. (Sunnydale High is positioned right atop the gates of Hell -- what high school student can't relate to that?) So it makes sense that the story's hero would have the same interests, problems, and character growth that every teenager must go through. But it's precisely her ordinary problems that make Buffy all the more relatable -- and all the more inspiring.
-- She is, no doubt about it, kick-ass.
Maybe they can let her turn her homework in late, just this one time.
An argument's been made (and it's not without merit) that Buffy Summers is a superhero -- and as such, she's even got the superpowers. She's been supernaturally gifted with super-strength and super-reflexes, making her job as a Slayer just a bit easier. Of course, even with those abilities, she still has to train like any other athlete (or vampire slayer) to keep her abilities sharp and her power focused.
The origin of Buffy's character is an ironic twist on the horror-film trope of the evil monster and the helpless girl. Buffy turns that cliché on its head through sheer force of will and strength -- and, of course, Buffy's power is not merely physical. She is the gold standard of a strong female character: courageous, resourceful, determined, and, in many ways, resolutely optimistic. She's also got flaws to battle through, the same as anyone else -- which makes it all the more rewarding when she overcomes them. In the process, she's a reminder to her female fans that we can be just as tough and strong when we need to be.
-- She surrounds herself with great friends.
High school: the toughest years of your life with or without vampires.
Buffy starts off the first season of her show at a brand-new high school. Once there, she's quickly given the opportunity to choose a new group of friends: the cliquey popular girls, led by queen bee Cordelia Chase; or the resident "nerds," Xander and Willow.
For Buffy, it's a no-brainer: she'll take the kind and good-hearted nerds over the "mean girls" any day. It kicks off a theme that continues throughout the show's run, as Buffy continues to recruit further allies: Angel, Oz, Tara, Anya, Dawn, and even Cordelia herself (the "queen bee" eventually comes around). As the seasons progress, Buffy continues to beat the odds as one of the longest-living Slayers of all time, and the reason is simple: she doesn't fight her battles alone. She has her friends. It makes for the perfect reminder that good friends can make you stronger.
-- She knows the importance of knowledge.
Buffy and her right-hand Librarian, Giles.
The librarian at Sunnydale High, Mr. Giles, has a most unusual part-time job: he's a Watcher. That is, he's the official mentor to the Slayer, on hand to help Buffy train, fight, and, most of all, learn everything she needs to know to do her job.
So it's fitting that Buffy and her pals spend so much time in the Sunnydale High library. Understanding the importance of the old saying "know thy enemy," the gang can often be found researching the best methods to put a stop to whatever monster the Hellmouth may be throwing their way that week.
While Buffy's super-strength and fighting abilities are clearly an invaluable tool in her vampire throw-downs, there's no getting around the fact that another of her best weapons is knowledge itself. Without the research, demon slaying would be a whole lot harder. (But, of course, we all already know about the importance of libraries!)
-- She's not just an ordinary girl.
Like all great heroes, though, it's not her superpowers or her destiny that make Buffy special. It's because of the choices she makes: to stand by her friends, to fight for something important, to help the people who need it. She's a hero not because of her talents, but because of what she chooses to use them for -- and that's the kind of hero that any gal (or guy!) can aspire to be.
Brava, Buffy Summers.
In closing: click here to view the YouTube video, "Buffy vs Edward" --
a truly delightful fan-made Buffy/Twilight mash-up.
From the Catalog:
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season one [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season two [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season three [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season four [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season five [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season six [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- season seven [DVD]
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- the Season Eight Graphic Novel series
- Other Buffy Graphic Novels
-- Post by Ms. B
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