New Weekly Event: Femme Fatale Fridays

Posted May 14, 2010 by Whitney in Meme / 8 Comments

I am thinking of starting a new weekly post about Femme Fatales in Literature. In which I would feature one literary Fatale each Friday, hence, the Femme Fatale Friday.

“A Femme Fatale is an alluring, seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. Translating to “Deadly Woman” in french.” 

“Typically, Femme Fatales are portrayed as the villains but occasionally become the heroine by the end of the tale.  A Femme Fatale, tortures her lover teasing him with her affections driving him into obsession, making irrational decisions.”    

Seductive women are not just in harlequin romance novels, but can be found in all genres.  Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is a perfect example of this, tempting Humbert Humbert just enough for him to stay interested and memorized by her charm, but far enough away to hold him in the palm of her hand.     Rhoda Penmark from William March’s The Bad Seed, in which a ten year-old girl sweet talks her way into getting a prize, stopping at nothing to claim it.  Meggie from The Thorn Birds who helps a priest break all the rules or any woman from a James M. Cain novel.

I find this type of writing interesting not because of how sensual they are but by their cleverness making  the novels very enjoyable and on the edge of your chair in suspense.

Quotes are taken from Wikipedia

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8 responses to “New Weekly Event: Femme Fatale Fridays

  1. I love the idea of "Femme Fatale Fridays"….oooo what a fantastic concept and there are so many to choose from! Lolita is definitely the quintessential femme fatale!

  2. Felicia– The possibilities are endless!
    'm
    Alexis– I looking forward to it 🙂

    Stacy– Lolita is the "role model" or ultimate fatale to strive too.

    Kelly– I really enjoyed Wicked.

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