Which Classic Literary Heroine Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign?

Zodiac Signs Literary Characters

Everyone has their favorite book series and characters that inspire them. From dashing heroes who always save the day to cunning heroines who defy expectations and make their mark on the world. Reading can transport you to a far, far away world and open your mind to a new universe of possibilities. And of all the famous characters to come to life on the pages of a book – nothing compares to the heroines of classic novels. Classics have stood the test of time for a reason. In most cases, it's because they feature relatable and timeless characters. These characters often embody familiar archetypes that help us see ourselves in them and connect with the zodiac's energies. Each zodiac sign has its own archetype and journey, and it's not uncommon to find these themes in literature. By understanding these archetypes, we can better understand ourselves.

Keep reading to see which classic literary heroine you are based on your zodiac sign.

Aries: Jo March (Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, 1868)

Although Louisa May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel chronicles the lives of the four March sisters, it’s Josephine (Jo) March who serves as the novel’s main protagonist, and she has become one of the most popular characters in literature since the novel’s publication more than 150 years ago. When reading Little Women, it’s not hard to see why. Jo is courageous, blunt, strong-willed, hot-tempered, loyal, and undeniably endearing: in other words, quintessential Aries. Alcott challenged many of the era’s strict gender roles through Jo’s character, giving her a story arc that sees her striving to make her way in the world and forging a career as a writer. Like Aries, Jo deeply values her independence and bravely faces the world of her own volition on her terms. Throughout the novel, she matures and learns how to better direct her ambitious nature despite the obstacles she faces.

Taurus: Fanny Price (Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, 1814)

An outlier in the iconic literary works of Jane Austen, the protagonist of Mansfield Park is often misunderstood as weak and regressive compared to the progressive heroines found in Austen’s other books. However, Fanny Price is far more than her weak and submissive exterior may lead others to believe. Her character arc throughout the story sees her learning to find her courage and build self-esteem, a struggle Taurus can often relate to. Like Taurus, Fanny is a sensitive person who loves nature and poetry. She’s also compassionate and empathetic with a deep sense of integrity, reason, and common sense, exhibiting some of Taurus’ most positive traits. In order to find her happy ending, she finds the strength to own these traits, remaining true to herself above all.

Gemini: Emma Woodhouse (Emma by Jane Austen, 1816)

While preparing to write this timeless classic, Jane Austen famously wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." On the contrary, upon the novel's publication, Emma Woodhouse's flaws seemed to only endear her to readers, who found the imperfections made her all the more interesting and relatable. As a model Gemini, Emma is communicative, lively, intelligent, and sociable; she has an undeniable charm with which she can easily attract and befriend others. However, she also embodies Gemini's less desirable inclination for meddling in the way she interferes with the lives of others as a self-proclaimed matchmaker. Throughout her story, Emma must learn that she isn't always right and that misunderstandings are inevitable. To find true happiness, she needs to connect her gift of communication with a genuine heart and compassion.

Cancer: Helen Huntingdon (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë, 1848)

As the youngest Brontë sister’s second and final novel before her untimely death at 29, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall is a testament to her belief in women’s autonomy. It was considered shocking at the time of its release, as Brontë challenged many predominant morals of her era through the novel’s protagonist, Helen Huntingdon. Helen exhibits Cancer’s emotionally driven nature when she agrees to marry a man for love despite troubling glimpses of his deep-seated character flaws, thinking she’ll be able to “fix” him as his wife. However, once married, her husband abuses her, especially after the birth of their son. After years of poor treatment, Helen takes a stand, breaking the law and the social expectations of the time by fleeing with their son, determined to prevent him from becoming like his father. In leaving, she displays Cancer’s loving and protective nature by putting her son's needs before all else, retreating to the safety of their new home.

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Leo: Anna Arkadyevna Karenina (Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, 1878)

Leo Tolstoy’s epic has been referred to by some as one of the greatest works of literature ever written. At the center of this sweeping tale lies the protagonist, Anna Arkadeyevna Karenina, an educated and beautiful aristocrat in nineteenth-century Russian society. When her story starts, she stands as the charismatic and magnetic focal point of her world, and there’s no place Leo would rather be. Despite her morally questionable choice to engage in an extramarital affair that uproots her entire world, Anna remains a noble and passionate character who is determined to live life on her terms no matter what. Like a true Leo, love is stronger than all else to Anna, even the duties expected of her as the wife of a respected statesman. To some, she may appear selfish; however, her fight to follow her heart in a male-dominated world was groundbreaking for her era.

Virgo: Mina Murray/Harker (Dracula by Bram Stoker, 1897)

As the main female lead in the otherwise male-dominated cast of characters of Bram Stoker’s iconic horror novel, Mina Harker (née Murray) holds her own as a vital part of the team that ultimately hunts down the legendary vampire. Channeling Virgo’s analytical energy, Mina’s organizational and observational skills help the group formulate plans of action that lead to their final triumph over Dracula. Despite subsequent adaptations recasting her as a potential love interest for Dracula himself, in the original book, Mina is practical, level-headed, intelligent, loyal, and deeply in love with her husband, Jonathan. When Dracula targets her, it is considered an insult to Mina’s spiritual purity, and regaining her lost virtue becomes a galvanizing force for the entire team– much like Virgo’s ongoing quest for purity and perfection.

Libra: Isabel Archer (The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James, 1881)

The protagonist of Henry James’ classic novel, The Portrait of a Lady, has captivated readers since the novel was first published. Isabel Archer exhibits Libra’s beautified outlook on the world throughout the story as she and other characters constantly focus on making “one’s life a work of art.” Like Libra, she’s affable, charming, and diplomatic, though her rose-colored glasses can blind her from reality and leave her unknowingly vulnerable. In a struggle Libra can often relate to, Isabel’s amiable personality lets her attract many different acquaintances while simultaneously deterring her ability to connect with them on deeper levels. Partially, as a result, she’s determined to navigate life based on her internal sense of logic alone for much of the novel. Unfortunately, her perspective is skewed by her idealism and overinflated confidence, and as a result, she doesn’t realize when she’s being manipulated. Only when Isabel undergoes some serious self-introspection does she begin to re-assess her truths and convictions so can she mature.

Scorpio: Catherine Earnshaw (Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë, 1847)

Emily Brontë’s only novel is widely regarded today as a masterpiece of Gothic fiction and the romantic prose tradition. The most poetically inclined of her sisters and fellow writers, Brontë filled the pages of Wuthering Heights, as well as the character of Catherine Earnshaw, with raw emotion and angst. Catherine epitomizes all things Scorpio; she’s passionate, emotional, and intense, especially when it comes to her doomed romance with Heathcliff. These two share a deep and powerful love, but it’s marred by Catherine’s preoccupation with social class, Heathcliff’s bitterness and vengeful obsession, and both of their insurmountable stubbornness. Scorpio’s journey is about relinquishing control to facilitate transformation. Her story sets a greater change in motion that allows the next generation to heal the wounds left by their parents.

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Sagittarius: Dorthea Brooke (Middlemarch by George Eliot, 1871)

This sprawling examination of provincial life in nineteenth-century England is known today as the magnum opus of Mary Ann Evans, better known by her pen name, George Eliot. She approached the work through a lens of realism to examine the nature of idealism and how society can thwart it. Thus, the work and its central female lead, Dorthea Brooke, fall distinctly within Sagittarius’ domain. Dorthea exhibits all the traits of a young Sagittarius: enthusiastic, optimistic, intellectual, and pious with strong moral convictions. When she marries an older scholar, she harbors a romanticized vision of their lives together; however, reality proves to be far different than what she’d pictured. Dorthea must learn to differentiate high moral standards from true virtue and acknowledge her passions while accepting their limitations. In doing so, she can achieve the state of being Sagittarius strives for, transforming her knowledge about life into wisdom about how she wants to live.

Capricorn: Bathsheba Everdene (Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy, 1874)

Thomas Hardy's first major literary success has an enduring legacy in literature, as its themes of love, honor, and betrayal have resonated with readers for generations. The novel's female protagonist, Bathsheba Everdene, also stands out from her contemporaries for the very same qualities that align her with Capricorn. Bathsheba is stubbornly independent, hardworking, and determined. As a young adult, she takes on the responsibility of running an inherited farm by herself, defying the expectations of women for the era. However, she's often careless with the feelings of others, and her stubbornness interferes with her ability to find happiness multiple times throughout the story. Like Capricorn, Bathsheba must let vulnerability coincide with her ambitions to reach her happy ending, eventually learning it's okay to accept help and rely on others.

Aquarius: Jane Eyre (Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, 1847)

Now regarded as one of the most famous romance novels ever, Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre has stood the test of time thanks to its unforgettable titular protagonist. Jane Eyre manifests Aquarius’ humanitarian essence throughout the story as she is forced to contend with oppression, inequality, and hardship, yet upholds her personal convictions despite it all. Her strong belief in equality flies in the face of Victorian prejudices against women and the poor that were common for the era. Aquarius’ journey to fulfillment centers on achieving ultimate freedom, aligning it with Jane, who values freedom above all else. Her character arc throughout the story involves her struggle to gain the autonomy she desperately needs despite her circumstances. Only by staying true to herself and her integrity can Jane finally find peace and contentment.

Pisces: Catherine Morland (Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, 1818)

This posthumous publication from Jane Austen is a coming-of-age story with a healthy dose of irony and satire. Often referred to as a “Gothic Parody,” Northanger Abbey subverts expectations for Gothic fiction of the era through the story and characters, especially the main protagonist, Catherine Morland. Like a true Pisces, Catherine is dreamy, imaginative, and somewhat separated from reality due to her love for Gothic fiction. Thanks to her kind nature, Catherine is generally well-liked by those around her. However, she causes problems for herself when her love for Gothic novels begins to contort her perceptions of reality. When she inadvertently offends and upsets a friend with the musings of her runaway imagination, Catherine realizes she needs to separate life from fiction more distinctly in her mind. Following the ideal journey for an enlightened Pisces, Catherine’s story arc focuses on her learning to reign in her wild daydreams every so often to ensure she has an equally strong grasp on reality.

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