Upon reading
the article by Berlatsky, I was dumbfounded at seeing there was actually a
second and third wave to feminism, I thought it was just one big group altogether;
but that’s not the point. Bella and Katniss, two entirely different people who
represent two groups of women are being compared as to see who is better at a
short. Bella being the “lesser” woman to Katniss is literally shitted on in the
article, as the critics state her as “passive, hapless, and an utter mess. Not
only is she physically inept, but she has no particular talents or even
distinguishing characteristics other than her desperation for romance”. Katniss
is categorically described as the better woman than Bella and it’s just a side
note that she would beat Bella in a steel cage match (before she became a
vampire of course), but does all of the attributes that Katniss have truly make
her the better woman? I mean Katniss is a second wave feminist’ dream come
true, if there was a spokesperson for them it would be Katniss volunteering as
tribute. She is independent, smart, strong, and masculine at a short! She is
what typical girls really shouldn’t be; more boyish than girly.
With all of
this saying is Katniss’ tomboyish look really a better look than the feminine Bella?
What is wanted from girls today and what’s so bad about being more like Bella? There
really isn’t a reason to put these two categories of tomboy and feminine together
and say fight to the death. Every girl has different ideals and everyone
appeals to everyone differently, not one person is perfect so what is the point
to try and figure out which character is better.
I feel like I agree with your last paragraph a lot. You’re right, in the end, comparing the two doesn’t matter. I also feel like the fact that the author throws shade at Bella throughout practically the whole article kind of makes it seem like being a girly girl now days is something girls, in general, shouldn’t be interested in. Like what? I also didn’t know the three types of feminism. I, just like you, thought that there was just one huge group of people that supported strong independent woman, but I guess you learn something new everyday ahah. At the end of your blog you state, “Every girl has different ideals and everyone appeals to everyone differently, not one person is perfect so what is the point to try and figure out which character is better.” I couldn’t agree with this anymore than I already do. I hate that the author really tries to make the audience look down upon the average girly girl. Isn’t that how society wants us girls to act in the first place, like a girl? Why, in this case, does being a tomboy all of the sudden make Katniss a cool queen? To add to that, being athletic and having skill doesn’t automatically make you more dudeishhh…. What the hell? All I can say is that I feel like Berlatsky was very bias with this article.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article "Twilight vs. Hunger Games,"I agree that there seems to be two main categories created. The classic girly girl and tomboy, as you mentioned, is the main two categories the light is shined upon. Katniss is the more kick butt, admired character that in some ways numerous girls think is dominate. Bella, the more quiet girly girl is a "simply the more passive character." A question the author raised but never clearly answered is, which style is better? While most girls have their own preference, there is no clear, definite person. No one is a total tom boy or girly. Everyone has a unique blend of style as a girl. Instead of trying to distinguish which type of girl is better, such as the belief that Katniss would beat Bella any day, why not accept that unique blend and acknowledge that all girls have their own personality.It's unfair to even judge a certain style of girl and declare one to be mature or immature. Gain, there is no hard core distinction if a girl is one style or another, and instead, people of today, should accept that blend of maybe multiple types. Of course most girls would like the ability to kick butt like Katniss, but those same girls may be yearning to be just as graceful as Bella.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your last paragraph a great deal. The author seems to want to decide which wave of feminism is the CORRECT wave of feminism. By putting the two characters at hypothetical odds, and then ascribing to the each the virtues of two differing schools of feminist thought, the author is attempting to force a conversation about the supremacy of second wave feminism. I don't think that this is a fight that needs to happen--both sides have their merits. Society clearly does NOT devalue so-called "feminine virtues" to the degree that the author implies. People bought both of these books and watched both movie franchises. As a male I feel like I not only have less to say but am allowed to say less when discussing feminism so directly. Why do they have to fight? Let them coexist. The author shows her bias in her premise.
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