To Be a Woman Warrior or not to Be

In the Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston, qualities portrayed by various characters represent the same qualities necessary in a woman warrior. Brave Orchid and the Quiet Girl serve as foils to each other to help distinguish individual distinct traits. The qualities of a woman warrior are independence, mental strength, and to have an assertive personality. The true definition of a woman warrior is displayed throughout the stories of Brave Orchid and the Quiet Girl.
Independence is a large part of being a woman warrior. The Quiet Girl never has a chance to gain control of her own life being as it is that she always remains under supervision. She is constantly protected as "their parents kept the older daughter back to protect the younger one." But to stretch that protection, "The parents of the quiet girl, on the other hand, protected both daughters." …