History FieryRedhead / Literature

* Invoked in ''Literature/TheShipWho''. While Theoda is [[PhysicalTherapyPlot trying to relieve a red-haired child's paralysis]] she and Helva discuss his personality, with Theoda saying that by his face he must be sweet, and Helva seeing the boy's eyelids twitch in response and suspecting that he's a young hellion. At a crucial moment, when they have to prove that Theoda's therapy is having an effect and the child is regaining control of his body, Theoda's encouragement doesn't get more than slight motion in response. Helva then insultingly says "Come on, momma's sweet little freckled-face boy" and the child jerks an arm and leg visibly and croaks.

* Pepper from ''Literature/GoodOmens'' is a hot-headed, outspoken, tomboyish young girl who is said to be the most formidable fighter out of the gang of children known as "The Them". War, the red [[HorsemenOfTheApocalypse Biker of the Apocalypse]] and Pepper's EvilCounterpart, might also count. She is usually more low-key and [[EvilIsSexy seductive]], but pumps up her [[EvilIsHammy hamminess levels]] as the end of the world approaches.

* Referenced and inverted in ''Literature/TheCatcherInTheRye''. The protagonist mentions that redheaded people are supposed to get mad easily, however he notes that his brother Alfie was very calm and nice.

* ''Literature/ChivalryOfAFailedKnight'': Stella Vermillion is a [[HotBlooded emotional, passionate and hot-headed]] red-haired ActionGirl, with a HairTriggerTemper and even [[PlayingWithFire pyrokinetic powers]] that have the side-effect of allowing her to become BurningWithAnger. She '''initially''' seems like she'd dial the trope further up by being a {{Tsundere}}, but the ''tsuntsun'' side practically vanishes after Ikki confesses to her, making her more or less 100% sweet and affectionate to him from then on.

-->'''Jeremy''': [[{{Understatement}} Bit of a temper, huh?]]

** Mara Jade Skywalker, Luke's redheaded [[DefectingForLove ex-Sith]] wife and DeadpanSnarker extraordinaire. She can get [[MamaBear very nasty]] if you hit her BerserkButton.

* ''Franchise/StarWars''
** [[Franchise/StarWarsExpandedUniverse Mara Jade Skywalker]], Luke's redheaded wife and DeadpanSnarker extraordinaire. She can get [[MamaBear very nasty]] if you hit her BerserkButton.
** As is her redhead son, Ben Skywalker. The striking similarities between the two (particularly their personalities) are brought up fairly often in profic, especially in ''[[Literature/LegacyOfTheForce Sacrifice]]'', and a LOT in fanfic. To be honest, probably the only notable physical feature he inherited from Luke are his blue eyes.

* ''LightNovel/HighSchoolDXD'': Subverted with Rias Gremory. Normally, she's overall rather level-headed and seldom raises her voice even when she's serious. She does, however, bring this out [[ClingyJealousGirl when it comes with Issei]], but even then she does grow out of it to an extent later in the series.

%%* ''LightNovel/KazeNoStigma'': Ayano Kannagi is a red-haired fire magic user.

* ''LightNovel/MushokuTenseiJoblessReincarnation'' gives us Eris Grayrat, a very violent and despicable redhaired {{Ojou}}. She ends up being called [[RedBaron Mad Dog]] because her violent episodes are famous among people. She slowly improves her attitude over the story but remains with a fiery personality.

%% * [[TheChick April O'Brien]] of ''Literature/{{Everworld}}'', who also has green eyes and Irish ancestry, perhaps to sharpen the contrast between her and [[SiblingYinYang her half-sister]], who is a blonde, [[LonersAreFreaks antisocial]] EmotionlessGirl.

* ''Literature/TheArtOfStarving'' has the protagonist Matt, as a result of being bullied for being gay, having to live in a close-minded town, his mother being in danger of losing her job and most recently, his sister suddenly running away and not telling him the reason why. Besides his snarky attitude, he has a serious vengeful/obsessive streak that serves as the main drive of the novel.

%% * Gwen Jones from the ''Cherry Ames'' mysteries.

* Margot Maynard in Elinor M Brent-Dyer's ''Literature/ChaletSchool'' series. Her hair is constantly described as 'reddish-gold' and she has an absolutely rotten temper, which she blames on her 'demon'. She tries to control it, but it often gets the better of her, culminating in her nearly killing a girl with a bookend in ''The Chalet School Triplets''. Her cousin Sybil Russell also qualifies, at least as a child, until an accident with a kettle and her younger sister [[BreakTheHaughty has a drastic effect on her personality]].

* Creator/IsaacAsimov
** In the short story "Nobody Here But—", protagonist Cliff Anderson is deeply in love with his red-haired girlfriend Mary Ann but does not quite have the courage to ask her to marry him. Throughout the story, Cliff talks about how wonderful Mary Ann is, but always amends his statement with "but she does have red hair;" she [[InvokedTrope acts feisty and aggressive because that is how girls with red hair act]].
** Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/TheCompleteAdventuresOfLuckyStarr'': John Bigman Jones has pale red hair, [[HairTriggerTemper a short temper]], and a generally emotional nature. He is quite unafraid of going toe to toe with people much taller than him, especially if he's been insulted by being called terms like "shorty". Lucky, [[{{Foil}} on the other hand]], is calm and brown-haired.

* Scarlet from Literature/TheLunarChronicles is an ever-angry gunslinger who gets quite annoyed whenever anyone makes the [[SarcasmMode genius]] connection to her name and her hair. She ''was'' raised in France by her [[CoolOldLady badass grandma]], who taught her to shoot, after all.

* ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'': The Bladi Clan is PlayingWithATrope. They all have red hair as a dominant trait but their temperaments vary.

* Averted with Princess Elisabeta from the ''Nyctophobia'' series. While the narrator dedicates more than one paragraph to describing her crimson hair, she is a ShrinkingViolet. The colour's significance is more about the ancient superstition that red-haired women would rise as vampires after death, which she is.

* In ''Literature/ShamanOfTheUndead'', Zofia, aptly nicknamed Redhead, has HairTriggerTemper, especially when around [[TheStoic Brittle]] or [[ActionSurvivor Ida]], and is annoyed when others aren't as professional about their jobs as she is.

* Terry Brooks' ''[[Literature/{{Shannara}} Voyage of the Jerle Shannara]]'' introduces Rue Meridian, a redhead who steals airships single-handedly and kills lizard-men, and you had better not tell her she can't.

* Creator/SimonaAhrnstedt
** She gives us the redhead Beatrice Löwenström in her debut novel ''Literature/{{Overenskommelser}}''. She's intelligent, competent, and assertive. But alas, many people in this era (the 1880s) prefer quiet and subservient women. And being at the mercy of her abusive uncle, who bullies her into a marriage with a man, who treats women like dirt under his shoes, she finds that out the hard way. But she's not afraid to call her oppressors out on what creeps they are, even if that only makes them even angrier with her...
** Averted with Beata Jensdotter in "De skandalösa". Despite being a redhead, she's less fiery than the brunette protagonist Magdalena.

%% * In Tom Robbins' ''Still Life With Woodpecker'', in addition to the two red-haired protagonists (FallenPrincess Leigh Cherry and {{Outlaw}} Bernard Mickey Wrangle), there's an involved side plot/conspiracy theory around the extraterrestrial origins of redheads.

%% ** Averted by [[TheHighQueen Aristomache]]; while she's a capable LadyOfWar, she acts calm and reserved most of the time.
* ''Literature/TheGirlFromTheMiraclesDistrict'': the BigBad is aggressive, overly emotional, and red-haired.
* Both Aleksander and Lydia of Creator/CarolBerg's ''Literature/RaiKirah'' series, though unlike Aleksander Lydia seems to generally limit herself to words and (carefully aimed) thrown furniture, rather than physical torture and death threats (and not only threats).
%%* Aven Green in ''Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus'' by Dusti Bowling.

* Aviendha (and, to a lesser extent, all redheaded Aiel women) from the [[Literature/TheWheelOfTime Wheel of Time]] series behave like this. They are quite proficient with the spears and knives they threaten men who make unwanted advances with.

* ''Literature/{{Abominable}}''. Stephanie mentions the redhead [[PlayingWithFire Finn's]] hot temper right off the bat, right before we get to see his response to Timothy trying to pick a fight with him. He [[FlashStep flash steps]] right up to Timothy, delivers a quick BadassBoast that doubles as a death threat, calls the grown man an [[OlderThanTheyLook insolent child]] and then tells the guy to get out of his sight.

* ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'': Justified with Anne Shirley, whose temper was at its fieriest when she was teased about her red hair (being one of the few characters whose fire is connected to their coloring). She chewed out the neighborhood busybody and also responded to being called "Carrots" by breaking her slate over a schoolmate's head. Nobody ever teased her about her red hair again, after the social snubbing Gilbert got for five or so years. Ironically, they end up marrying. [[note]] It's ironic for Anne. That was Gilbert's goal [[LoveAtFirstPunch since the beginning]]. [[/note]] Anne never quite gets over her dislike of her red hair. She didn't even like it when her ''children'' inherited it. When Jem is born and the nurse tells her his hair will be red, Gilbert reports to Marilla that "Anne is furious with her, and I'm tickled to death!"
* The ''Ashtown Burials'' series, by N.D. Wilson, has the reddish-brown haired Diana Boone. She doesn't have a particularly quick temper, but she is a skilled warrior and ace pilot, and you don't want to be on the wrong side of her when she does get angry.
* ''Literature/TheArtOfStarving'' has the protagonist Matt, as a result of being bullied for being gay, having to live in a close-minded town, his mother being on danger of losing her job and most recent, his sister suddenly running away and not telling him the reason why. Besides his snarky attitude he has a serious vengeful/obssessive streak that serves as the main drive of the novel.

** The boisterous redhead King Smoit, who is jolly and personable with his friends, but unleashes a warrior's temper on those who anger him.

%% * [[TheChick April O'Brien]] of ''Literature/{{Everworld}}'', who also has green eyes and an Irish ancestry, perhaps to sharpen the contrast between her and [[SiblingYinYang her half-sister]], who is a blonde, [[LonersAreFreaks antisocial]] EmotionlessGirl.

%% * In ''Literature/TheLastDragonChronicles'' Lucy fits this persona perfectly, though it becomes blaringly obvious during [[TeensAreMonsters her teenage years]].

* In the ''Literature/TalesOfTheBranionRealm'' series by Fiona Patton, the royal family of an alternate Britain is literally this. The sovereigns are the Jesus-style avatars of a fire god, and they commonly have red hair. They also have tempers, which is not surprising given that effectively having a fire god inside you is [[RoyallyScrewedUp not good for your mental stability]]. Justified by the presence in their family tree of [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Danes, Welsh and Irish]].

* ''Literature/TheGirlFromTheMiraclesDistrict'': the BigBad is aggressive, overly emotional and red-haired.

%% * Jennsen Rahl in the ''Literature/SwordOfTruth'' series. In-story, red hair is often (falsely) stereotyped as the hair color of ''witches'' among the blond-haired D'Haran purebloods, rather than indicative of personality.

* Rachel Elizabeth Dare from ''Literature/PercyJacksonAndTheOlympians'' has red hair. She is also very opinionated and once threw a hairbrush at Kronos. Although [[StealthPun it's never]] [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]], even her initials spell [[MeaningfulName R.E.D.]]
* ''Literature/SisterhoodSeries'' by Creator/FernMichaels: just ask Kathryn Lucas and Maggie Spritzer. They have red hair and the attitude to match!
* Creator/IsaacAsimov
** In the short story "Nobody Here But—", protagonist Cliff Anderson is deeply in love with his red-haired girlfriend Mary Ann but does not quite have the courage to ask her to marry him. Throughout the story, Cliff talks about how wonderful Mary Ann is, but always amends his statement with "but she does have red hair;" she [[InvokedTrope acts feisty and aggressive because that is how girls with red hair act]].
** Creator/IsaacAsimov's ''Literature/TheCompleteAdventuresOfLuckyStarr'': John Bigman Jones has pale red hair, [[HairTriggerTemper a short temper]], and a generally emotional nature. He is quite unafraid of going toe to toe with people much taller than him, especially if he's been insulted by being called terms like "shorty". Lucky, [[{{Foil}} on the other hand]], is calm and brown-haired.
%% * In Tom Robbins' ''Still Life With Woodpecker'', in addition to the two red-haired protagonists (FallenPrincess Leigh Cherry and {{Outlaw}} Bernard Mickey Wrangle), there's an involved side plot/conspiracy theory around the extraterrestrial origins of redheads.
* Jessie in ''High Society'' by Creator/BenElton. Her hair colour (dark auburn/reddish-brown) is referred to only once but combined with her strong personality, she is an obvious example of this trope.
* Kaylana the redhead druid in ''Literature/{{Villains by Necessity}}''. Living up to the trope by answering any attempts to approach her with a staff knocked over the poor man's head.
%% * Prince Bryan in ''Literature/SummersAtCastleAuburn'' is every negative stereotype associated with red hair.
* The redheaded Clary Fray from ''Literature/TheMortalInstruments'' is easily upset and often lashes out at people.
* The main protagonist of the ''Literature/CronusChronicles'', the redhead Charlotte is the grumpy variety.
* Creator/SimonaAhrnstedt
** She gives us the redhead Beatrice Löwenström in her debut novel ''Literature/{{Overenskommelser}}''. She's intelligent, competent, and assertive. But alas, many people in this era (the 1880s) prefer quiet and subservient women. And being at the mercy of her abusive uncle, who bullies her into a marriage with a man, who treats women like dirt under his shoes, she finds that out the hard way. But she's not afraid to call her oppressors out on what creeps they are, even if that only makes them even angrier with her...
** Averted with Beata Jensdotter in "De skandalösa". Despite being a redhead, she's less fiery than the brunette protagonist Magdalena.
* ''[[Literature/AMagesPower A Mage's Power]]'': The Bladi Clan is PlayingWithATrope. They all have red hair as a dominant trait but their temperaments vary.
** Basilard is only fierce in battle. Otherwise he's mellow.
** Mia is closer to RoseHairedSweetie with her kind nature
** Raki is a rude and aggressive dual wielder.

%% * Inverted with Fiona from ''Literature/TheGiver''. She is said to be calm and serene from Jonas.
* Kristen Börstrom from ''Literature/{{MARZENA}}'' is a Swedish redhead ex-cop turned into super killer assassin. Although red is not her natural color, it does seem to match her temper.
%% * Chloe Wentworth from ''The Lost Sisters of Pleasant Valley'' novels.
%% * Katelyn, the spunky GranolaGirl from ''Literature/{{Insupu}}''.
%% * ''Literature/MidnightsChildren'' has Saleem's sister the Brass Monkey, who got her nickname because she's one of these. She is also ''literally'' fiery, in that she lights shoes on fire to get attention. Her hair darkens to brown when she turns nine, and she subsequently mellows out a bit.
%% * Iris of ''Literature/TheFirstDwarfKing'' definitely counts. She's an ActionGirlfriend to the hero, Jani.
%% ** Averted by [[TheHighQueen Aristomache]]; while she's a capable LadyOfWar, she acts calm and reserved most of the time.
%% * ''Literature/TheHungerGames'': The female District 10 Tribute in ''Catching Fire'', being the only redhead of all the tributes.
* ''Literature/MaledictionTrilogy'': Cecile de Troyes has just turned seventeen. Her hair is very red, she is outspoken and passionate, she cannot tolerate injustice - and has a tendency towards bouts of temper.
* ''Literature/TheSilerianTrilogy'': Mirabar is a redhead with a hot temper, though she mellows over time.
* ''Literature/TheGirlFromTheMiraclesDistrict'': the BigBad is aggressive, overly emotional and red-haired.
* ''Literature/TheStormlightArchive'': The redheaded Shallan is this ironically mixed with [[ShrinkingViolet non-confrontational behavior]]. She is passionate and free until she gets confronted, at which point she starts blushing and crying. [[BewareTheNiceOnes Push her too hard]], though, and she turns into a [[TranquilFury stone-cold killer]].
* ''Literature/TheSpiritThief'': Miranda is very passionate about spirits, very easy to anger, and very red-haired.
* ''Literature/{{Run}}'': Bo Dickinson can have quite the temper, though part of it is her having to deal with her family's reputation in Mursey. It's said that the red hair and attitude run in the family.
* Both Aleksander and Lydia of Creator/CarolBerg's ''Literature/RaiKirah'' series, though unlike Aleksander Lydia seems to generally limit herself to words and (carefully aimed) thrown furniture, rather than physical torture and death threats (and not only threats).
* ''Literature/TheShadowCampaigns'': Jane Verity fits this trope to a tee, with her first actual scene being a fight. [[spoiler:And then she [[SanitySlippage transitions]] [[DealWithTheDevil to an]] EvilRedhead.]]
* ''Literature/LightAPennyCandle'': Aisling's hair is described as "carroty", and she has a ferociously hot temper, lashing out at Johnny when he [[spoiler:refuses to commit to her]]
%%* Aven Green in ''Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus'' by Dusti Bowling.
* Referenced and inverted in ''Literature/TheCatcherInTheRye''. The protagonist mentions that redheaded people are supposed to get mad easily, however he notes that his brother Alfie was very calm and nice.
* Scarlet from Literature/TheLunarChronicles is an ever-angry gunslinger who gets quite annoyed whenever anyone makes the [[SarcasmMode genius]] connection to her name and her hair. She ''was'' raised in France by her [[CoolOldLady badass grandma]], who taught her to shoot, after all.
* ''Literature/OurAustralianGirl'': Nellie will call her employer's children spalpeens, argue with a priest and yell at Cook. She, of course, has red hair.
* ''Literature/PhineasFinn'' and other novels by Creator/AnthonyTrollope include the character of Lord Chiltern (aka Oswald Standish) who has a fiery temper and is described as having a close-clipped red beard, short red hair, and a reddish complexion. In dialogue tags, etc. Trollope sometimes calls him "the fiery lord." At some point, he challenges Finn to a duel (after Finn shoots into the air, Chiltern's second and the other men involved manage to talk him down and convince him he can't continue with the duel). Later Chiltern becomes Master of the Hunt and gets angry at landlords who set out traps or don't maintain habitat for foxes to breed in.
* The BoisterousBruiser WarriorPrince Fencewalker of ''Literature/TailchasersSong'' has shaggy red fur. He's very spirited and energetic.
* Red Sonya of Rogatino in ''Literature/TheShadowOfTheVulture'' is a very feisty adventurer whose first lines out of her mouth is declaring her intent to [[CainAndAbel kill her sister]], who turns out to be the [[HistoricalDomainCharacter Sultana Hurrem]] and bickers with TheHero a lot (specially when he is drunk). It shouldn't come as a surprise she served as inspiration for the comic book character ComicBook/RedSonja.
* Averted with Princess Elisabeta from the ''Nyctophobia'' series. While the narrator dedicates more than one paragraph to describing her crimson hair, she is a ShrinkingViolet. The colour's significance is more about the ancient superstition that red-haired women would rise as vampires after death, which she is.
* Discussed in ''Literature/PatienceAndSarah''. When trying to give Sarah LessonsInSophistication, Patience pretends to be a man talking to Sarah. One of the comments this hypothetical man says is that he doesn't like Patience because she's too plump for him, he doesn't like her brown eyes, and her red hair is a turn-off because redheads have a "mean disposition every time". Patience herself isn't an example because she's mild-mannered.
* Hetty in ''Literature/HettyFeather'' frequently defies her matrons at the Hospital and famously manages to get locked away in the Punishment Room after allegedly assaulting her teacher.
* ''Literature/QuestForFire'': Aghoo and his brothers, the nastiest of the Oulhamr horde are [[CarpetofVirility covered in red hair]].
* ''Literature/LoveLettersToTheDead'': Hannah has bright red locks, and is the most fervent of the bunch.
* ''Literature/VillainsByNecessity'': Kaylana mostly averts the stereotype, but when greatly offended (usually by men crossing the line with her), she'll lash out in anger.

* Randle Patrick [=McMurphy=], in ''Literature/OneFlewOverTheCuckoosNest'', is a hot-tempered redhead with a history of assault convictions.
* Red in Creator/AaronAllston's ''Literature/GalateaIn2D''; not only does Penny play WomenAreWiser in their BattleCouple, when Penny is dying and only their boss can save her, Red clearly has to fight to keep begging him to do so instead of attacking him.
%% * Maggy Mulligan from ''Faraway Dream''.
%% * Madeline from ''Madeline''.
* The redheaded Fire-witches in the ''Literature/EnchantedForestChronicles'' deserve special mention: when they get angry enough (which is often), their hair ''explodes''.
%% * Sioned, Sionell, and Feylin, among others of Melanie Rawn's ''Literature/DragonPrince'' and ''Literature/DragonStar'' trilogies.
* Margot Maynard in Elinor M Brent-Dyer's ''Literature/ChaletSchool'' series. Her hair is constantly described as 'reddish-gold' and she has an absolutely rotten temper, which she blames on her 'demon'. She tries to control it, but it often gets the better of her, culminating in her nearly killing a girl with a bookend in ''The Chalet School Triplets''. Her cousin Sybil Russell also qualifies, at least as a child, until an accident with a kettle and her younger sister [[BreakTheHaughty has a drastic effect on her personality]].
* ''Literature/IRobot'' has engineer Mike Donovan, described as possessed of perpetually unkempt red hair, a short temper, and a generally HotBlooded personality, in contrast to his calmer dark-haired work partner Gregory Powell.
* Princess Elizabeth of ''Literature/TheRoyalDiaries''' ''Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor'' is a redhead who can swear up a storm when she wants to.
* The main character of the ''Literature/DearAmerica'' book ''A Coal Miner's Bride: The Diary of Anetka Kaminska'' complains about everything about her looks except her red hair. At one point, she suddenly remembered that she was her mother's fiery redhead and started yelling at her ungrateful husband with a list of the things she does for him.
%% * 'Red' Kelly and his sister Kelly Kelly in the ''Literature/YoungBond novels''. In fact, the whole Kelly clan might qualify.
* 'Red' Blaze from the Civil War and Floating Outfit novels of Creator/JTEdson. Blaze is the most hotheaded and impetuous of Edson's heroes.
* ''Literature/InDeath'' series: Feeney has ginger hair. He may seem rather calm, but he can be explosive when he's angry.

* The princesses of ''Literature/ABrothersPrice'' are all noted for having red hair, referred to as "the royal red" at a few points. Each princess has a different personality and none are exactly mercurial, but strength and passion are part of all of them.
%% * Cord [=MaKiy=] from the ''Literature/{{ColSec Trilogy}}'', although it's somewhat mitigated by his introversion.

* Redhead Cate Hendrickson of ''Literature/ParadiseRot'' fits the bill. Sarcastic and Irish as it is possible to be.
%% * In ''Literature/TheLastDragonChronicles'' Lucy fits this persona perfectly, though it becomes blaringly obvious during [[TeensAreMonsters her teenage years]].
* In the ''Literature/TalesOfTheBranionRealm'' series by Fiona Patton, the royal family of an alternate Britain is literally this. The sovereigns are the Jesus-style avatars of a fire god, and they commonly have red hair. They also have tempers, which is not surprising given that effectively having a fire god inside you is [[RoyallyScrewedUp not good for your mental stability]]. Justified by the presence in their family tree of [[FantasyCounterpartCulture Danes, Welsh and Irish]].

* The ''Ashtown Burials'' series, by N.D. Wilson, has the reddish-brown haired Diana Boone. She doesn't have a particularly quick temper, but she is a skilled warrior and ace pilot, and you don't want to be on the wrong side of her when she does get angry.

%% * Practically every female character in the novels of Creator/RobertAHeinlein. Even a few of the male characters qualify.

* Ygritte, a wildling, from ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire''. All redheads are believed to be "kissed by fire" in the wildling culture and have a reputation for spirit. ZigZagged in Westeros proper, where red hair is associated with the more genteel Tullys; however, of the Tullys we meet most of them turn out to be quite HotBlooded - particularly Catelyn Tully[=/=]Stark, whose ProperLady demeanour conceals a raging temper that tends to flare up at moments of crisis. Rickon Stark, however, inherited the Tully red hair and is the most aggressive of his siblings, although this may be due to his youth. Robb Stark also has the red hair and quite a temper. This trope is however firmly averted in the case of their sister [[TheIngenue Sansa]].
%% * ''Literature/HarryPotter''
%% ** Ginny Weasley, as well as Molly and the rest of the Weasleys. A more mellow example is Percy, and he's regarded as a stick in the mud.
%% ** Harry's mother, Lily, was also like this, mostly around James before they ended up hooking up. Hmm, maybe the Potter men have [[HeroesWantRedheads a thing for fiery redheads.]]
%% * Literature/CiaphasCain '''HERO OF THE IMPERIUM''''s comrades Colonel Kasteen and Trooper (later Corporal) Magot fit this trope to a T, Magot almost to the point of being a PsychoLesbian. And, no, the two redheads are not a couple.
%% * C. L. Moore's Literature/JirelOfJoiry.
%% * Calliope in John Barnes's ''Literature/OneForTheMorningGlory''.
%% * Annie, aka Naughty Nan, in TheFilmOfTheBook, at least, of ''[[Literature/LittleWomen Little Men]]''.
* ''Literature/AnneOfGreenGables'': Justified with Anne Shirley, whose temper was at its fieriest when she was teased about her red hair (being one of the few characters whose fire is connected to their coloring). She chewed out the neighborhood busybody and also responded to being called "Carrots" by breaking her slate over a schoolmate's head. Nobody ever teased her about her red hair again, after the social snubbing Gilbert got for five or so years. Ironically, they end up marrying. [[note]] It's ironic for Anne. That was Gilbert's goal [[LoveAtFirstPunch since the beginning]]. [[/note]] Anne never quite gets over her dislike of her red hair. She didn't even like it when her ''children'' inherited it. When Jem is born and the nurse tells her his hair will be red, Gilbert reports to Marilla that "Anne is furious with her, and I'm tickled to death!"
* ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfPrydain'':
** Princess Eilonwy is the extremely temperamental {{Tsundere}} ActionGirl with long red/gold hair whose temper is feared even by her friends, and especially her [[WellExcuseMePrincess love interest]].
** The boisterous redhead King Smoit, who is jolly and personable with his friends, but unleashes a warrior's temper on those who anger him.
%% * Dylan Marvil from ''Literature/TheClique''.
* Aviendha (and, to a lesser extent, all redheaded Aiel women) from the [[Literature/TheWheelOfTime Wheel of Time]] series behave like this. They are quite proficient with the spears and knives they threaten men who make unwanted advances with.
* Pippilotta Delicatessa Windowshade Mackrelmint Ephraim's daughter Longstocking, from the ''Literature/PippiLongstocking'' series (and subsequent adaptations). Don't mess with this redhead [[CuteBruiser tank of a little girl]].
%% * In Robert Graves' ''King Jesus'', Jesus has red hair, that being one of the eight "signs of royalty".
* Herrenna the Henna-Haired Harridan, a side character in ''Literature/TheLightFantastic'' has red hair (per her title) and absolutely no patience or pity for either Rincewind or Twoflower. Oh, and she has a [[{{BFS}} very big sword]].
* Pepper from ''Literature/GoodOmens'' is a hot-headed, outspoken, tomboyish young girl who is said to be the most formidable fighter out of the gang of children known as "The Them". War, the red [[HorsemenOfTheApocalypse Biker of the Apocalypse]] and Pepper's EvilCounterpart, might also count. She is usually more low-key and [[EvilIsSexy seductive]], but pumps up her [[EvilIsHammy hamminess levels]] as the end of the world approaches.
* Alanna of Trebond of ''Literature/SongOfTheLioness'' (the first book in the ''Literature/TortallUniverse'') has bright red hair and a temper to match. Her squire later remarks how she's known for her sharp edges--sword, knife, and tongue.
* Ditto with Tris, a redhead in Tammy's ''Literature/CircleOfMagic'' series. She's very prickly from years of verbal abuse and abandonment. She does eventually warm up to her new friends, but she's still quick to sarcasm and doesn't tolerate fools gladly.
%% * Talea in Creator/AlanDeanFoster's ''Literature/{{Spellsinger}}''.
* Ce'Nedra from David Eddings's ''Literature/{{Belgariad}}''. Not just her husband Belgarion, not just their royal court, the ''entire kingdom'' of Riva is focused on keeping the flame-tressed Queen Ce'Nedra happy. Because the alternative is just too grisly to contemplate.
%% * Renn from ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfAncientDarkness''.
* ''Literature/WarriorCats'':
** Squirrelflight is the most notable example. She's been explicitly compared to fire on multiple occasions and has the feisty, stubborn personality to show for it. However, she eventually developed into a calmer and more mature adult.
** There's also Red, who defies her father's wishes to pursue a romance with her [[StarCrossedLovers Star-Crossed Lover]].
** Squirrelflight's mother, Sandstorm, was one as well, especially in her youth. She has a light, almost cream-colored, orange pelt and can be quite snappy and stubborn.
* Maedhros, Amrod, and Amras from Creator/JRRTolkien's ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'' are the only elves to be described as redheads who fit the personality type. They're fierce, rash, more violent than is really healthy, and not particularly wise or patient... but then so are all their darker-haired siblings. A lot of fans assume their mother Nerdanel's also redheaded, though the author only ever said her ''father'' Mahtan is, and both of their personalities are the complete opposite: calm, soft-spoken, patient, and wise. They also had the sense not to join the rebellion of the Noldor, which is why they're still alive.
* Karen in ''Literature/TheThreeWorldsCycle''. Specifically in the first quartet, where she appears as a main character. She takes on Rulke, for Io's sake, and harasses every main character through the whole quartet. And she just happens to be described as having "extremely fiery red hair"...

%% * [[TheChick April O'Brien]] of ''Literature/{{Everworld}}'', who also has green eyes and an Irish ancestry, perhaps to sharpen the contrast between her and [[SiblingYinYang her half-sister]], who is a blonde, [[LonersAreFreaks antisocial]] EmotionlessGirl.
%% * Ysabeau Wilce's ''Crackpot Hall'' series has both male and female examples with Hotspur and [[TheButcher Butcher Brakespeare]] respectively.

%% * Karen from ''Literature/DragonsInOurMidst''.

* Terry Brooks' ''[[Literature/{{Shannara}} Voyage of the Jerle Shannara]]'' introduces Rue Meridian, a redhead who steals airships single-handedly and kills lizard-men, and you had better not tell her she can't.
%% * Wisty of ''Literature/WitchAndWizard'' can actually ''light herself on fire''.
* The redhead Bronwyn in ''Bronwyn's Bane''. Living with a serious curse increases her anger management issues.
%% * Clementine from ''The Liberation of Clementine Tipton''.

%% * Gwen Jones from the ''Cherry Ames'' mysteries.

* Felicity of the ''Literature/AmericanGirlsCollection'' is a spunky, spritely redhead colonial girl, full of energy and independence.

* Played with in the ''Literature/FortunesOfWar'' books in regards to Sarda, the principal Vulcan character. His hair has a coppery color and luster, and due to his lack of training in the mental disciplines needed for fine emotional control, he is much more emotional than a Vulcan would normally be, although in comparison to the non-Vulcan characters he's fairly subdued.

* ''Literature/TheCrimsonShadow'': Though she hides it most of the time, red-haired Katerin is quick-tempered and does not take disrespect toward her well. It tends to be {{tranquil fury}}.
* ''Literature/LoveLettersToTheDead'': Hannah has bright red locks, and is the most fervent of the bunch.