Nancy Drew: Feminist Icon or Privileged White Lady?

 

Introduction 

Most people have heard of Nancy Drew, even if they've never read the books.  Many women, like myself, grew up with her as part of their childhood.  We often have fond memories of Nancy, and remember her as a good role model for young girls.  But was she?  Or is that a case of revisionist history?  I mean, I liked Laverne and Shirley at that age too. 

 

Nancy's Background and Evolution 

First, a little background, for those not familiar with Nancy Drew.  She is a fictional character appearing in several mystery book series. The Mystery Stories books were ghostwritten by a number of authors and published under the pseudonym Carolyn Keene from 1930-2003.  There were 175 books in all. (Wikipedia - Nancy Drew)   

 

Nancy has evolved over the years to reflect the current time period.  These new variations continue to the present day.  In the early books (1930-1959) she was 16, blonde, and a bit feisty (i.e. confident, competent, and independent).  Later in 1959, the series was revised and she became 18, titian-haired, and nicer (i.e. sympathetic, kind-hearted, and loveable, a bit of a cardboard figure).  These are the books I read in the 1970's. 

 

She lived with her widowed father who was a lawyer and she helped him with his cases.  There was also a housekeeper.  Her friends helped her solve the mysteries she often stumbled upon.  They included tomboy George and prissy Bess.  She also had a boyfriend named Ned.   

 

There were also 2 other guys (friends of Ned’s and boyfriends to Bess and George).  I can’t recall their names, but it’s not important.  Nancy was the star of the show.  She called the shots and everyone jumped to her tune.   

 

But she was a benign dictator.  I remember her as a smart, compassionate, capable, determined, and independent woman, who went out of her way to help people. 

 

Then in the 1980's she became more professional.  She had romantic adventures before returning to boring Ned (sex was even mentioned!).  In 1995 she even goes to college in the On Campus series (about time).  Critics say the On Campus books were more about romance than mysteries, and Nancy got dumber. 

 

Next was the Girl Detective and graphic novel phase (2003-2012).  Nancy becomes a little less perfect and more human.  Then the Diaries phase (2013-present) targeting readers 8-12. There were other formats as well, like movies, TV shows, and video games. 

 

Nancy's Contradictions 

I'm sorry I missed some of these later books and the early ones.  It looks like I got the boring Nancy.  Don't get me wrong.  I loved Nancy.  I wanted to be her.  But looking back, she was a bit of a goody two-shoes.   

 

She was also a mass of contradictions.  Sexless, but definitely straight.  Never seemed to get mad or lose control, but with a strong sense of right and wrong.  Caring and wanting to help people, but so focused on solving a case that she often put herself and her friends in danger.  Smart and capable, but always getting into trouble. 

 

Identifying With Nancy 

Recently, I was wondering if this smart woman with financial means ever went to college, and if not, why not?  Turns out she did, just not in my time.   

 

I shouldn't be surprised by this.  Even when I went to college in the early 1980's there were people, like my senior homeroom teacher (male), who didn't see the point in women going to college.  "They're just going to get married anyway." (Yes, people really thought this way. Some still do.) 

 

Back then, I still thought I might get married someday.  But I was going to establish a career first.  One that would last a lifetime.  And for that I needed college. 

 

I had stopped reading Nancy Drew, probably by high school, certainly by college.  But she stuck with me.  And a part of me tried to emulate her even though she was no more real than Barbie.  (Who also apparently evolved after my childhood.) 

 

Other Influences 

To be honest, in the 1970's, Mary Richards of the Mary Tyler Moore show probably had as much, if not more, influence on me than Nancy Drew.  And then there's Maude, the TV show with the title character played by Bea Authur.  Now there was a feminist. 

 

Conclusion 

I should probably cut Nancy some slack.  She was a product of her times after all.  Yes, the Nancy I knew was a privileged white lady.  She had financial support from a protective, but indulgent father.  She could travel to foreign lands.  She could go to college.  There was a housekeeper to help with the mundane domestic chores.  And she obviously had time on her hands. 

 

But she was also a pioneering feminist who was intelligent and independent.  Instead of staying home and doing traditional “feminine” things like cooking, sewing, cleaning, getting married and having babies, she was out in the world solving mysteries.  Demonstrating not only what a woman was capable of, but paving the way for new possibilities. 

 

She was also a kind young woman who wanted to help people.  There are worse role models for young girls. 

 

Did you read Nancy Drew?  What did you think of her?