Hunger Games v Twilight
We’ve heard it many times – it’s the next Twilight, it’s the next Twilight…but there’s quite a few Hunger Games fans that don’t particularly like the comparison.
Laura Miller is a senior writer for Salon and has taken a look at whether The Hunger Games really is the next Twilight. She does this by breaking down what lies behind the two heroines. As she points out, the differences are marked.
Bella, she says is clumsy and largely helpless, a rescue object for Edward (the vampire) and Jacob (the werewolf) who vie for her affections. Katniss, she explains, is tough and competitive.
“Bella is willing to give up everything — her family, friends, previous life, even her humanity — to dote on her beloved Edward for eternity; Katniss sacrifices herself for her mother and sister. Bella is one long, quivering bowstring of frustrated lust (at least until the fourth book in Meyer’s series); Katniss, about the same age, is unstirred by adolescent hormones, despite the two cute, sweet guys who proclaim their love for her. She may be enmeshed in the kind of romantic triangle that leads fans to don Team This Guy or Team That Guy T-shirts, but the boys’ attentions mostly make her unhappy. Her tender feelings for them leave her even more vulnerable to the cold, manipulative authority figures who provoke her strongest passion: righteous anger.”
Miller argues that the stories embody the two major value systems of Western culture, the Romantic and the Classical. There’s Bella, a slave to forbidden love, a girl that regards intense feeling as the ultimate truth, while Katniss is a heroine preoccupied with duty and justice. Miller says if Twilight is all about love, then The Hunger Games is all about power, and the violence used to secure it.
Right – so we get that. We understand that Katniss is almost the antidote to Bella. But I tend to agree with Miller’s piece when she goes on to explain, what she calls the “trilogy’s own profound ambivalence about desire and power”. Once Katniss asserts her desire to be the one to kill the evil President Snow, Mockingjay, Miller says, embarks on pages and pages of “highly imaginative, video-game-like carnage followed by coda full of mournful ruminations on the folly and tragedy of war.”
“Part of this is a classic American ambivalence: We love violence, fame, the media and wealth — all of the apparatus of power — even if we claim to disapprove of these things. Our pop culture narratives invariably default to violent resolutions, but not before explaining that the hero had no other option than to blow the bad guy away in a climactic smackdown-plus-explosion. It was self-defense! An accident! Saving the world! He drove me to it! I didn’t want to — I’m not that kind of guy. He made me!”
This all leads to Miller’s conclusion, where she questions whether Katniss is actually more passive than Bella, arguing that if Katniss had sought to be the center of attention, and chose to string along the two young men who were willing to give their lives for hers, if she had wanted to be photographed and admired and dreamed of leading the revolution, or had any ambition of her own at all – that she would have been a bad girl by the standard of the story. It’s here that Miller asserts that for all her irritating flaws, Bella at least had the courage of her desire, while wondering what it was, besides a final well-earned vengeance, that Katniss Everdeen truly hungered?
So what do you think? Is the Hunger Games likely to be the next Twilight, and what does that mean to you? Does it simply mean that it’s going to experience the huge success of that franchise, or does it make you cringe when you hear it? Is Katniss more passive than Bella? Should they even be compared? We would love to know what you think.
I could slap people who compare The HUnger Games to Twilight. Sure, Twilight’s good, but it doesn’t even compare to The Hunger Games. Katniss is her own woman. Bella has to depend on others. Bella tries to protect her family while still trying to get what she wants. Katniss just wants her family safe, without even caring what happens to herself. No, The Hunger Games isn’t the next Twilight. The Hunger Games is its-self. And it’s bloody brilliant!
God! How many times do I have to explain to people that ‘The Hunger Games’ trilogy is comparable to the ‘Twilight’ Sega. First of all, the Twilight Sega was horribly written and though the plot line captivated many readers, a lot of the book was repetitive. The characters of Edward and Jacob in no way compare to the feud between Peeta and Gale. The characters of Katniss Everdeen and Bella Swan are nowhere near alike. Katniss who is fighting to save her own life and protect her family from and evil and cruel Capitol. Bella is whiney and in love with a desirable vampire. How in the world can you compare them! I, in no way shape, or form can compare these two books because they are completely different. The Hunger Games Trilogy is NOT the next Twilight, Twilight has it’s own fandom and don’t you dare mix the two. Here is a rule, you should never compare sifi and romance novels… This post makes me angry!!!!!!
I meant NOT comparable….. NOT.
I think that it is only the next Twilight in the fact that it will be as successful. As this article demonstrates, Bella and Katniss are very different. I am a fan of both. Go team Edward/Peeta!
I agree with Maddy. I think that when people say that The Hunger Games is “the next Twilight”, they are referring to it’s potential level of popularity.
I can see how the comparison can really irritate people as the way The Hunger Games is written is far superior to that of Twilight, and their themes and main characters (Bella/Katniss) are polar opposites in most ways.
As Miller correctly wrote; one is about love, and one is about power. For this reason I enjoyed both series, because I think they both portrayed their themes well.
Twilight is good, but The Hunger Games are better. There is no comparison in that respect- there is definitely a clear winner. But I hope The Hunger Games does get the same attention as Twilight, as I think Suzanne Collins deserves this for her amazing work!
I reckon it doesn’t matter because hunger games is awesome and more realistoc rather than fantasy!
i love both the hunger games trilogy and the twilight saga ( team jacob/peeta!). the books are completley different tho. the huger games is written better and in a different style. o and katniss is more soo much more likable then bella
ok it is not anything like twilight other than the love triangle, peeta, katniss, gale . . . . . edward, bella, jacob!!! and my only real worry on the hunger games becoming a movie is that they will come out with the same hunger games book but the cover of the book will be the people from the movie like twilight and percy jackson!!!! I HATE THAT LEAVE IT HOW IT IS!!! THE AUTHOR OBVIOULSEY PUT IT THAT WAY 4 A REASON!!!! so lionsgate dont you DARE do that to the hunger games, catching fire, and mockingjay!!!! it just ruins it!!! it realy does
When they make the hunger games movie the absolutely can NOT have any actors from twilight!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh my god having just one actor from twilight would completely RUIN the entire movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NO ACTORS FROM TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a big fan of twilight saga and love all three releases. Edward was awesome in third release. I need to download twilight games. Can you suggest a direct link to the twilight games?
HUNGER GAMES is HUNGER GAMES
TWILIGHT is TWILIGHT
They have there own uniqueness
I agree! Yes, the Hunger Games is in NO way Twilight. I think it will be as popular as Twilight, but other than that the only comparison is the love triangle that happens in both(Katniss,Gale,Peeta…Bella,Jacob,Edward)But yet Twilight, i loved, but still it is no way as complex and beautifully written as The Hunger Games. People should stop comparing them, but people should also stop throwing hissy fits over other people comparing both books. It’s ok. Deal with it. No offense intended!But yet Katniss is bold,brave,and beautiful, even though she may not see it. Katniss is willing to risk ANYTHING in order to save the ones she loves; even her life. Whereas, Bella also will sacrifice her life for he family, but she still seems a bit more selfish as in always wanting something; like always having an ulterior motive. Katniss Everdeen will kill herself in a heartbeat if it’s for anyone she loves or cares about. I love both books, but now i seem to admire Katniss more than Bella. Because Katniss has those qualities in which you wish you were her. Katniss Everdeen is: unique,strong,brave,bold,compassionate,caring,beautiful,and most of all:charming. I especially love how her bow and arrow always attach to just…HER. Everyone knows: katniss…bow and arrow; fit right along. ‘The Girl On Fire’ amazes me more than any other female
who could even THINK twilight iz as good? HUNGER GAMES WINS HANDS DOWN! Team Edward or Jacob? I’D KILL THEM BOTH TO GET TO GALE! As for Bella vs. Katniss, Katniss could KICK HER BUTT! HUNGER GAMES ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First of, both books are unique, well to each their own. Bella, all charming and alluring due to her scent…all I saw in her was the teen-age girl who is madly in-love with a sparkling vampire! Katniss, on the other hand, never really cares about “lust and love” but her family’s safety. Though at some point, she’s just confused about her affection to Peeta and Gale, which is very normal and REAL for every teenager.
Nevertheless, The Hunger Games is very well written than Twilight. How Collins described each character made me feel like I was in Panem itself. The breathless scenes in the games, in the “cliche” love triangle between Peeta and Gale over Katniss, and the pain&anger of every death in the series. It’s totally a page-turner for real readers! It’s a perfect buy for people who want a dose of reality and fantasy and romance at the same time, w/o the use of sparkling diamonds in a hot man’s body!!
And speaking of “the next Twilight” thing, I couldn’t agree more if THG will be as popular Twilight, or even BETTER! Because it’s just…awesome! And you won’t know the effect of Katniss, the girl on fire, unless you read the whole series!
Here’s some piece of advice: STAY ALIVE! Go forth tributes!!
i like the Hunger games better than twilight because its more real, like who nows maybe in the future the hunger games could actually real but i don’t think that vampires or werewolf’s will be real!!!!!! so i say that it is SO MUCH BETTER THAN TWILIGHT!!!!!!!!! like hunger games is on a totally different level than twilight!!!!!!!!!
<3 <3 <3 HUNGER GAMES <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 TEAM GALE/PEETA <3 <3 <3
GO KATNISS!! "The girl on fire!!"
Here’s the reason why we can’t compare Bella or Katniss. Put Bella in the Hunger Games.We can all imagine what that would be.
But Katniss has survived TWO!!!! Put Katniss in the Twilight Saga….
there’d be no vampires or werewolves left by the end of the first book!!
If Katniss actually lived in that book, she would be bored.
Plus, can you imagine Bella Swan being a Mockingjay! Disgrace!!!
And what would Bella be? “Girl on….Can’t even think of something!!!
Who could compare???
Yes, just as when people referred to Twilight as “the next Harry Potter” the Hunger Games will only be “the next Twilight” in so far as the level of popularity. I will always have a soft spot for Twilight, but I truly think that the Hunger Games is a better story because it has larger message (what Suzanne Collins said about differenciating images of violence with entertainment). Twilight really doesn’t have a big message except for true love.
I love both Bella and Katniss. They are similar in some ways, but also completely different: They are both very mature for their ages because they had to take care of their families from early childhood (Bella had to “be the adult” for her immature mother, and Katniss had to fend for her sister and herself when their father died).
Both are highly dedicated to their families (although many people criticise Bella for leaving her father and mother to become a vampire, she does agonize over that decision, and even in the end cannot force herself to part with them. And Katniss would obviously willingly give her life to protect her mother and sister).
Both are strong. Now, before you rant that Bella is the weakest flimsiest thing to ever walk the planet, hear me out. Katniss has so much physical strength and resolve. She is badass with a bow and arrow. When she sets her mind to something she never waivers. She’s a survivor. That’s why I love her.
Bella, although not physically strong by a longshot has the same sort of strength of resolve. As with Katniss when she sets her mind to something she never waivers. She’d happily give up her happiness for her mother’s. She’d gladly die in her place (ballet studio with James). She puts on a strong exterior for the benefit of those around her (except admittly for that 4 month lapse in new moon) but even then she pulled herself together for her father’s sake!
Bella is very self-aware, and aware of those around her while Katniss, the one thing that annoys me about her is she has barely a clue about Peeta’s Gale’s Haymitch’s or Prim’s feelings for much of the series.
However, Katniss is a wonderful character because she remains true to herself, and she refuses to play any game by anything but her own rules. She has seen real death and real hardship and that makes her uncomparable. Bella on the other hand…she gives up pretty much all who she is to be with the person she loves and has never had to face true struggles.
Wow that was long winded! Anyway, just last thing: I’m sincerely worried about the Hunger Games movie. The Twilight movie was abominable. It portrayed all the characters in the wrong way (why so many people think Bella’s an airhead and Edward is gay). I really don’t want that to happen to Hunger Games.
To me Hunger Games is the next Twilight because its my next literary love. I just hope it doesn’t go on the same downward spiral Twilight did.
There is NO i repeat NO COMPARISON to the Hunger Games and the twilight saga. For one thing, YELLOOOO, no vampires! Or werewolves! Sure the romance, but NOTHING ELSE. O&btw, Twilight sucks.
I have too agree with Maddy. the hunger games movie would be ruined if any twilight characters were in it. They just aren’t good enough actor. I <3 The Hunger Games. <3 <3 <3
The only way the hunger games can be compared to twilight is the popularity and the whole love triangle thing (go jacob/gale!), in every other way they are very different. I don’t mind twilight but it is NOT as good as the hunger games. And bella and katniss are very different. Bella is weak, useless, needs other people to take care of her and is obsessed by her personal love life. Katniss is powerful, strong, brave, indepentant, smart but also caring and willing to die for her family and friends. She denies her feelings but only to allow her to concentrate on more important things such as survival. And, really, can you imagine bella doing some of the things katniss did? She would never be able to look after her family as young as katniss did, let alone survive for more than a day in the hunger games. These two books are NOT the same and i am fed up of people comparing them and annoyed about people comparing bella and katniss.
OMG
I just almost have to choke when I read thing like: “Go Team..!”
PEOPLE!
go twilight whoa lolololol
this comparison makes me sick. how could anyone ever compare these amazing books to twilight. ya twilight has a good plot, but the hunger games is absolutely amazing in every way.
Hey, I am writing a paper on The Hunger Games and have read all three of the books; I am a huge fan and yet I am also obsessed with Twilight as well. I do agree with you all that The Hunger Games has more of real – life aspect to it, whereas Twilight IS fantasy. But that’s what it is intended to be so…In my paper, I want to incorporate some comparisons, yes comparisons, between issues like “the cliche love triangle” and comparisons between Katniss and Bella, comparisons about the settings – Panem (what’s left of the US) and Forks, etc. I would love to hear what more things you could add. Anything about either one of the books, thoughts about themes, especially for The Hunger Games, etc.
Thanks for your help!!!