Iron Woman
I'm no gender studies student, but I do have an inherent interest in the subject. I grew up a tomboy, fighting every inch of femininity within me and forcing myself to be strong in every situation. At the time I viewed femininity to be 'weak' and thus did not wish to be identified with it. However after finishing high school I was able to free myself from my self imposed shackles and allow my true personality to surface - a much more feminine one.
I have since realised that throughout my childhood my way of thinking was rather off kilter. Something that is 'feminine' is by no means 'weak'. Something that is 'masculine' in not necessarily 'strong'. This revelation has had a great influence on the characters I have since come to have an interest in.
Although my preference for strong characters has not changed, my definition of what is 'strong' has. I love strong female characters, but I believe that the 'strong' females represented in modern day fiction are somewhat erroneous. It is the age of the kick-ass female; the strong, femme fatale that fights on par with any man. But is this in fact true feminine strength? After all, physical capability is generally a trait associated with masculinity. Also, by association, does this imply that those without physical strength are weak?
Riza Hawkeye is undoubtedly kick ass. She has impeccable aim, can change a mag in a matter of seconds, can heave round heavy artillery and can coolly and calmly dispatch of foes. She is physically fit and a good fighter to boot - but I question whether or not this is actually her true strength.
There are many aspects other than her physical capabilities that define her as a tough character. Generally strength and weakness go hand in hand - to overcome weakness is something that requires strength. To overcome one's shortcomings, after all, requires tenacity.
Riza recognises that her preference for firearms is due to her wish to avoid the feeling of bloodshed on her hands. Others may criticise her choice and call her weak - what I find amazing is that she actually acknowledges her sense of guilt but does not indulge in it. She has a path in mind and is fixated upon it with glaring intensity, putting her own personal qualms aside.
After the Ishbal War her morality is shaken, her ethos questioned and she is engulfed in guilt. However she does not wallow in her grief. Amazingly, she picks herself up, she cradles the grief to her chest and she keeps on moving. She doesn't ask for forgiveness nor redemption, she selflessly pushes her own needs out of the way and continues on her path for the greater good. Humans are so easily caught up in themselves - there are so many characters nowadays that let guilt rule their characters completely. Riza Hawkeye does not.
"The battle of Ishbal isn't over inside me yet. No...it will probably never end." Riza chapter 39
That is not in any way to say that she does not feel guilt or remorse. We see Riza's compassion time and time again. Someone with such shrewd compassion could hardly suffer anything less than a grave conscience. It is simply that she is too self sacrificing to let it get in the way of her helping others. Constantly she shows herself willing to put others first - her existence throughout Full Metal Alchemist focuses on the protection of one sole person. The love and kindness gifted to her, typically 'feminine' qualities, transform her will to steel.
This willpower allows her to look evil full in the face and come out determined to take it down. Her fear in the face of the strongest and strangest homonculous does not stop her from trying to thwart it, despite possibly incurring it's wroth. She does not back down from Scar despite the difference in their abilities. She does not run away when she is put into the position of aide and hostage to the most dangerous man in the country. She defies her situation and continues to do her work competently – fighting the position she has been put in without ever drawing blood.
To me, the tenacity of this character, her bravery and her capacity for self sacrifice are her true strength. And none of these qualities defy her right to be feminine.
