That’s What She Said: Best Quotes from Dystopian Heroines
“They can’t do that,” she said finally. “It’s the one thing they can’t do. They can make you say anything—anything—but they can’t make you believe it. They can’t get inside you.”
Do you know which of your favorite dystopian heroines said those powerful words?
Hint: It wasn’t written in 2017. Or even 2007.
Try Julia, the heroine of George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel, 1984, written in 1948.
Dystopian isn’t new, but some might say it is the new reality, and we need the fierce and fearless dystopian heroines of modern YA dystopian to lead us through difficult times. When we’re at a loss for words, we need these ladies to give us hope, inspire change, and spark the flame of resistance. Here are some of my all-time favorite quotes from YA dystopian heroines.
“We’re gonna tear down our wall.” – Tris, Allegiant by Veronica Roth
“Human Beings Cannot Be Categorized In This Way. It Doesn’t Work. Maybe It’s Time To Start Embracing People Instead Of Dividing Them Into Groups.” – Tris, Allegiant by Veronica Roth
“As the society reminds us, there’s a difference between knowledge and technology. Knowledge does not fail us.” – Cassia, Matched by Ally Condie
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to stay here and cause all kinds of trouble.” – Katniss, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
“No one will forget me. Not my look, not my name. Katniss. The girl who was on fire.” – Katniss, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
“I have lived that life already, in the mud, in the shadows, in a cell, in a silk dress. I will never submit again. I will never stop fighting.” – Mare, The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.” – Laia, An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
“There will come a moment in your life where you find yourself confronted with two choices, and both are bad ones. For me it was to stay in a place where I was choked and had nothing to look forward to and no way to prove my talents, or to leave everyone I knew and loved behind forever for a chance that might not work out. That is how the gods test us, by laying before us what seems to be a choice and yet is no choice at all. When we come to that fork in our path down which no road is clean, all we can control is what dignity and honor we take our inevitable step.” – Jessamy, Court of Fives by Kate Elliott
What are some of your favorite quotes from young adult dystopian heroines?