When The Women Speak Up: Iconic Monologues By Female Characters

Seeking depth in female characters has long been a struggle, as women are often relegated to one-dimensional roles with little substance to offer. However, monologues have been a significant tool in challenging this. These long expressions are not a mere way to add up screen time; They are used to illustrate a woman's repressed emotions like rage, frustration, longing, etc. Monologues do not have to be a snooze fest as, when done effectively, they have been a pivotal storytelling device to give characters some much-deserved nuance. 

Here are some of the most iconic female monologues in films and TV shows that have resonated strongly with real women. This list is not in any particular order.

"I'm so lonely": Jo March in Little Women (2019)

Greta Gerwig-directed film Little Women, an adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, features several poignant dialogues, especially by the character Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), who embodies strength, independence, and wisdom. Her monologue about wanting to be loved is a stark contrast from the usual strong face she puts on as she puts her happiness on hold to shoulder the responsibility of her family while pursuing her passion for writing. 

"I want to be told what to do": Fleabag (2019)

Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge)-- lost her best friend to "suicide", lost her mother to cancer, her father's present but not really, complicated relationship with her sister, uses sex to cope, in love with a priest, struggles to feel loved, struggles to get by. Safe to say, we do not want to be Fleabag. On most days, she's making unwarranted, inappropriate jokes to show that she's doing just okay. On most days, she does not show her loneliness. Yet, her monologue during confession, reveals all her vulnerabilities about constantly feeling helpless and in need of control.

"This marriage is a special friendship": Shashi Godbole in English Vinglish (2012)

Shashi Godbole (Sridevi) mirrors the story of numerous Indian women, underappreciated and taken for granted. One day, she decides, 'Enough is enough' and takes back her autonomy and self-respect from the hands of her family. Her way of doing this was learning English, which is not simply a language for her, it was a catalyst in her journey to empower herself and assert her identity-- which cannot be defined by linguistic barriers. Her monologue is a reminder of the reclamation of her self-worth. 

"That's cerulean blue": Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

In The Devil Wears Prada, the matriarch of 'Runway Magazine' criticises Andrea, better known as the 'new Emily', who believes that fashion is a materialistic thing to care about. Miranda Priestly's (Meryl Streep) monologue not only asserts her dominance as a no-bullshit boss but also reflects on the fashion industry’s impact on broader societal norms. Her dialogue, laced with a comic appeal, is a scathing critique of the influence of fashion and culture on everyday life, no matter how ignorant one chooses to be about it.

"She's a cool girl": Amy Dunne in Gone Girl (2014)

Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) in Gone Girl, an adaptation of the eponymous novel by Gillian Flynn, has always been known as the ideal woman. Growing up as the subject of a children's book series to eventually turning into a 'cool girl'-- a seemingly perfect woman in the eyes of men-- her identity had always been defined by a third person's perception. After she finds her husband cheating on her, her monologue as she spirals into rage reflects her frustration with the expectation that women must always maintain a refined image to please their partners.

"It is impossible to be a woman": Gloria in Barbie (2023)

Another great Greta Gerwig-directed film Barbie featured a monologue by Gloria (America Ferrera) to open an impactful dialogue about the struggles of modern women. Her speech addresses the pervasive expectations and pressures that women encounter, offering a candid and emotional reflection on the roles they are often forced to play. The monologue served as a mockery of critics who anticipated Barbie to have a shallow storyline about a plastic doll living in a perfect, rose-tinted world.

"So stop being a parent": Kaira in Dear Zindagi (2016)

Dear Zindagi delves into the much-neglected topic of mental health struggles and therapy while also spotlighting societal attitudes towards people who seek help. One such person is Kaira (Alia Bhatt), a media professional, who confronts her family during a gathering, bringing the roof to the floor when she reaches her breaking point. Her powerful and emotional monologue about feeling neglected by her family serves as a pivotal plotline in the film, mapping her journey to self-reflection and healing.