The Disney princesses get a bad rap for promising little girls happily ever after with their Prince Charming (that happened to rescue her poor, helpless little self). And while I can pick apart any Disney movie with ease, I'm more concerned about the expectations of young women due to the recent rise of the heroine of the young adult novel.
Enter Bella and Katniss.
Think about this with me a second. If you haven't read the Twilight Sage or Hunger Games, you'll most likely be lost, so my apologies. But think about them, their biggest trait is their apparently bewitching beauty and appeal to the opposite sex. So much so that both attract two, read it TWO, would be suitors that for some reason become so enamored by their beauty that they are willing to do about anything to keep their gal safe. Yet in the same breath (in both cases) her admirers could at any moment cause her death. The gentlemen have become so enthralled that they go to heroic measures to keep her alive. Ah! What a story.
Let me take an unofficial poll. How many of you in your teen years had two devilishly handsome young men fighting for your affections, yet also willing to put their rivalry aside to keep you alive? It was not my experience. And I would say most of my gal friends would say they were lucky to catch the eye of a mediocre male during their teen years (of course many of them-myself included-later met their own devilishly attractive partner that would die for them, but we're talking acne years here people).
Imagine reading these books and seeing yourself in the role of Katniss, only to discover that your Peeta picks his nose in math class and Gale doesn't bathe on a regular basis. And they are mildly interested in you at best. Sigh. Disappointment city.
I will say that the one guy I "dated" in high school said some similar things to me that Edward said to Bella before he revealed his vampire status. I can't remember exactly the things he said, but when I was reading Twilight I was thinking "whoa, maybe I dated a vampire." In retrospect, that would make a lot of sense.
So let's give our Disney princesses a little pass on the eve of the opening of the Hunger Games movie.
And to those of you hoping to see the Hunger Games this weekend...may the odds EVER be in your favor.
Hmm. Interesting. :) We never did continue the discussion about having reservations about the current glug of dystopian literature for teenagers. . . . .we'll have to discuss. :) (Can't wait to see the movie despite any misgivings....)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the movie, too. And let's keep up this discussion...the issues of poverty, children in war, etc are much more interesting that Katniss's love life, but I found it interesting.
DeleteOh Gina...love this post. Very interesting. Have read all the books. Frankly, enjoyed them more than I could have expected. However, I missed the significance of and obvious similarities of two suitors...etc. etc. I would rather be Katniss...fierce and strong. Bella, frankly blinks too much and although she does find strength in the end to use her best gifts for good...
ReplyDeleteAnyway...two suitors is fairytale land. At least two handsome, reasonably hygienic suitors...far-fetched.
Hoping to see HG tomorrow with my mom and Marina. Love you!
I'm with you...Bella has few if any truly redeeming qualities. She is just kinda there and basically helpless through 3 1/2 of the books. At least Katniss shows compassion and sacrifice for others, is a good shot with an arrow, and seems generally resourceful. Have fun with the girls...I'm dragging Andrew to it in April for our date night:)
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