‘Hunger Games’ offers a true role model

Nearly every review I read of the movie “The Hunger Games” includes a comparison to the Twilight saga. Though many of these reviews favor “The Hunger Games,” I cannot help but question why these comparisons exist at all. Perhaps at a first glance, the two appear similar: each features a teenaged female main character with two male suitors fighting for her affection. However, the similarities end there. The constant question throughout the Twilight series is, will Bella end up with Edward or Jacob? Readers and viewers of the Hunger Games series wonder, will Katniss survive the Games and lead a revolution against the Capitol, or will she become a martyr for her people?

Stephen King said, regarding comparisons between the Harry Potter series and Twilight, “Harry Potter is all about confronting fears, finding inner strength, and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend.” It surprises me that Katniss Everdeen and Bella Swan are compared rather than Katniss and Harry Potter. Katniss, like Harry, constantly demonstrates bravery, wit and self-sacrifice as she fights for the freedom of her people. Bella sinks into a deep depression after her vampire boyfriend leaves town, and later chooses to marry him rather than attend college.

Herein lies the true and imperative difference between the two series: Bella is a character. Katniss is a heroine. “The Hunger Games” demonstrates moral strength similar to the Harry Potter series, but through a female character. While I applaud author Stephenie Meyer’s success with Twilight and find her books entertaining, I believe Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins and Katniss are the true heroines and role models for strong young women.

Alyssa Arkin

Arlington Heights