Empowerment

One of the most interesting comments people make about Gordon’s Pride is that Hanna is a downtrodden character who submits too easily and does not stand for herself against Gordon’s overwhelming strength and dominance.

As humans when we have been consistently devalued, abandoned and in some cases physically neglected, the response is not usually an aggressive personality surge. Gordon comes in, takes her over and gives her the security she needs to stand on her own. His methods are not in keeping with our modern idea of equality, but they could just as easily have applied to a male in Hanna’s circumstances and a female in Gordon’s.

It is not gender defining for the series, but I can see where it makes some women uncomfortable. The truth is, as humans we have periods of weakness, in spirit, flesh and psychologically. There is no shame in any of that, it merely is a part of being human and who we find to help us through often determines the outcome of those episodes. Being strong all the time is a myth regardless of gender and gender identities.

Besides, if you follow the series, Hanna becomes the heart of the territory in many ways and she redefined herself as Gordon’s mate. It may not be your ideal of feminism, but not every woman is equipped to carry a banner just as not every man is the uncontested head of household. Part of equality is recognizing weakness as well as strength.