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TEAM BELLA OR TEAM HERMIONE?

Posted September 29th, 2008 By: 37 Comments »

We seem to have missed this article from August. But it’s a fun one and poses interesting points. Take a look…

The problem is, even for those who like Twilight, or love Edward, that’s not enough for Bella to be a role model. (And perhaps it even sparks a little jealousy, for those who would imagine themselves in her place).

“She’s wimpy!” Schuyler said. “When I went to the book release party, I wore a shirt that says, ‘Bella Sucks.’”

“I think Bella is a bit underdeveloped as a character,” said Amy Snow, of the wizard rock band Romilda Vane and the Chocolate Cauldrons. “Hermione was first and foremost a person, and she’s realistic. It’s a pity Bella doesn’t have a secret inner strength. She’s more of just a pure maiden.”

The purity thing – the whole debate whether Bella should be “bitten” or whether that would corrupt her – is also an issue. Fine for just a love story, they say, but ultimately, it’s “anti-feminist.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE

Don’t throw anything….I like Hermione better than Bella. Which team are you on and why?

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Marci (major obsessed)

I am completely team Bella. She is too realistic. I felt like she was completely me in everyway. She did have inner strength. She was strong willed and when she made up her mind about something she didn’t change it just like me. Hermione I could never relate to.

samlohmeyer

The question isn’t who do you relate to better, its who is the better character. And honestly besides the fact that Hermione can actually stand up for herself and go on without some dumb fuck man, Bella would lose just because she’s dead behind the eyes. K thx bye.

http://mysduende.livejournal.com mysduende

Hermione = Mary Sue. Especially in Deathly Shallows. Bella is real people.

Chloe Macri

lol you can not be serious? Bella is the definition of mary sue. a helpless little girl who needs rescuing. Hermione never needs rescuing. oh bella is clumsy? that has been used to death. its so old now. How is Hermione a mary sue? and the fact that everyone is like inlove with her? What exactly is so great that every guy who sees her wants her? Nothing. She is also a horrible friend. as soon as Edward pays attention to her, she completely ignores the people who have been nice to her since she got the that school. she describes them like she is better then them, like what they say doesnt matter. its rude.

Megs

Well, I haven’t thought much about it, but I guess Bella. (I never really got hooked on the Harry Potter Books, and my side is not because of that), but many girls can relate to Bella I think. Then again, she is a bit of an undeveloped character; but that’s just me.
VanessaC

OME! I just spent like a half an hour writing the LONGEST response to this b/c it is something i feel VERY strongly about, and went to comment and it messed up and the WHOLE THING got deleted. theres no way i have the heart to write it all up again- i really put a lot of effort into it- so im just gonna stick to saying that i agree 100% w/Marci and mysduende. sigh. i can NOT believe that happened! ugh.
Sarah Joy

I can’t really choose between the two. In some ways I feel more connected to Bella and in some ways I feel more connected to Hermione. So I’ll just do what I did with two of my Twilight t-shirts I got where one says Team Edward and one says Team Jacob. I’m Team Bella and Team Hermione.
Rorania

There’s really no comparison to be made. J.K.Rowling made Hermione a secondary character by throwing her to Ron – honestly, can’t that boy ever shut his mouth and not be a loser – and Bella ended up with the man of the story and her dreams.

Bella, compared to other heroines with power(besides Hermione), is understated as you’re meant to see her until the very end. She’s not flamboyant, wearing spandex(which there’s nothing wrong with btw;D), or seducing men left and right(purposely).

And another reason these two can’t (and shouldn’t) be compared is Rowling tied up Hermione’s emotions into a shallow little bubble the final two books for a guy who has no care about her feelings, while SM made Edward women’s gift from Satan. Meaning SM can write romance – JKR cannot.

Chloe Macri

Have you not read the last harry potter book? Severus Snape’s love for Lilly Potter, is so much stronger and more meaningful then edwards and bella’s. They fall inlove to quickly. Their love for each other is based on two things, Edwards desire for her blood, and Bella thinking Edward is hot. Everyone relationship in harry potter (mr and mrs weasley, harry and ginny, ron and hermione, lupin and tonks etc) is about friendship, trust and real love. And everyone woman in that relationship is strong and fights for what is right, they dont sit back and let there men fight for them. And those men do not abuse them. because there is no way edwards behavior is anything but abusive. We breaks into her room and watches her sleep, he follow her, wont let her near her friends, and when she tries to disobey him he breaks her car so she can not use it. It is creepy and wrong. rowling wrote a better love story in one chapter then meyer did in four books.

hermione is strong, independent, smart, ambitious, brave. she is a wonderful roll model for girls. Bella sits around waiting for edward or jacob to save her. When ron left hermione, she stayed to fight against evil. When edward left bella crawled into a ball and sooked. What kind of roll model is that for young girls? I would rather young girls fight for what they believe in and to be who they are, not just get a boyfriend and thats it.
Chloe Macri

Have you not read the last harry potter book? Severus Snape’s love for Lilly Potter, is so much stronger and more meaningful then edwards and bella’s. They fall inlove to quickly. Their love for each other is based on two things, Edwards desire for her blood, and Bella thinking Edward is hot. Everyone relationship in harry potter (mr and mrs weasley, harry and ginny, ron and hermione, lupin and tonks etc) is about friendship, trust and real love. And everyone woman in that relationship is strong and fights for what is right, they dont sit back and let there men fight for them. And those men do not abuse them. because there is no way edwards behavior is anything but abusive. We breaks into her room and watches her sleep, he follow her, wont let her near her friends, and when she tries to disobey him he breaks her car so she can not use it. It is creepy and wrong. rowling wrote a better love story in one chapter then meyer did in four books.

hermione is strong, independent, smart, ambitious, brave. she is a wonderful roll model for girls. Bella sits around waiting for edward or jacob to save her. When ron left hermione, she stayed to fight against evil. When edward left bella crawled into a ball and sooked. What kind of roll model is that for young girls? I would rather young girls fight for what they believe in and to be who they are, not just get a boyfriend and thats it.
Chloe Macri

Have you not read the last harry potter book? Severus Snape’s love for Lilly Potter, is so much stronger and more meaningful then edwards and bella’s. They fall inlove to quickly. Their love for each other is based on two things, Edwards desire for her blood, and Bella thinking Edward is hot. Everyone relationship in harry potter (mr and mrs weasley, harry and ginny, ron and hermione, lupin and tonks etc) is about friendship, trust and real love. And everyone woman in that relationship is strong and fights for what is right, they dont sit back and let there men fight for them. And those men do not abuse them. because there is no way edwards behavior is anything but abusive. We breaks into her room and watches her sleep, he follow her, wont let her near her friends, and when she tries to disobey him he breaks her car so she can not use it. It is creepy and wrong. rowling wrote a better love story in one chapter then meyer did in four books.

hermione is strong, independent, smart, ambitious, brave. she is a wonderful roll model for girls. Bella sits around waiting for edward or jacob to save her. When ron left hermione, she stayed to fight against evil. When edward left bella crawled into a ball and sooked. What kind of roll model is that for young girls? I would rather young girls fight for what they believe in and to be who they are, not just get a boyfriend and thats it.
Chloe Macri

Have you not read the last harry potter book? Severus Snape’s love for Lilly Potter, is so much stronger and more meaningful then edwards and bella’s. They fall inlove to quickly. Their love for each other is based on two things, Edwards desire for her blood, and Bella thinking Edward is hot. Everyone relationship in harry potter (mr and mrs weasley, harry and ginny, ron and hermione, lupin and tonks etc) is about friendship, trust and real love. And everyone woman in that relationship is strong and fights for what is right, they dont sit back and let there men fight for them. And those men do not abuse them. because there is no way edwards behavior is anything but abusive. We breaks into her room and watches her sleep, he follow her, wont let her near her friends, and when she tries to disobey him he breaks her car so she can not use it. It is creepy and wrong. rowling wrote a better love story in one chapter then meyer did in four books.

hermione is strong, independent, smart, ambitious, brave. she is a wonderful roll model for girls. Bella sits around waiting for edward or jacob to save her. When ron left hermione, she stayed to fight against evil. When edward left bella crawled into a ball and sooked. What kind of roll model is that for young girls? I would rather young girls fight for what they believe in and to be who they are, not just get a boyfriend and thats it.

Paula

ok.. i am a newby to the Twilight family. I have read Twilight and New Moon and trying with much self control to wait to read Eclipse and Breaking Dawn (just so I can drag it out, don’t want it to be over too soon:)) I said all that to say, I have no idea who Hermione is.. Do i need to wait and keep reading? If so, should I be worried as an Edward and Bella fan?

Go Team Bella!

Chloe Macri

hermione is the heroine from the Harry Potter series. You should give it a try when you have finished reading twilight, while not a romance novel it is perhaps the greatest series of our time.
Chloe Macri

hermione is the heroine from the Harry Potter series. You should give it a try when you have finished reading twilight, while not a romance novel it is perhaps the greatest series of our time.

Allie

BELLA!!! I totally agree with Marci! I can’t relate to Hermione at all, but I relate to Bella on a daily basis. Hermione just seems…fake. No flames please, but I absolutely HATE Harry Potter with a passion. Hermione is probably my least favorite. I only watch the 4th movie, for Spunk Ransom! The only reason I ever watch any of the other ones is for Voldemort.
Larissa

I am Team Bella. I don’t care what the feminists say. There is nothing wrong with cooking, there are so many people who enjoy it. I mean if a girl wants to cook that’s considered sexist, but if a guy wants to cook it’s sensitive. I like to cook. I like to read. In fact Bella is quite a bit like me. And sure she has to be saved, but so would anyone without powers in that situation. I’d like to see Hermione minus her powers be able to get out of all of those life and death situations that Bella was in. Hermione had magic to use to help her, Bella didn’t.

Imagine Bella with magic, would she have used it in order to do what was needed? Yes.

Bella was always frustrated that she couldn’t do more and was striving to help out in anyway that she was able to. I see nothing wrong with that.

I would rather be Bella than Hermione, but I do still like Hermione.

Chloe Macri

It is not that she likes to cook. It is the fact that she takes up the role of cooking and cleaning as soon as she moves into her fathers house, and acts as if he can not do anything himself, as if it is her role to do all that.

Laurelusf

I’ve always wondered why people assume that women who aren’t aggressive and selfish are “anti-feminist.” The feminism movement was meant to provide women the freedom to be whoever they are or want to be, not to assign a new role. If a woman wants to marry young and have a family, she is free to do so. If a woman wants to run a company, she’s free to do that as well. Bella’s character is pure. I don’t think she needs to be corrupted to be “realistic.”
Lexi

I love bella swan!!!! I think that she rocks!!! and if you don’t then just shut up!!!!
MarsUK

if we are going book character wise it is easier to relate to Bella but she is very typical she does have some quirks but I think the fact that she doesn’t have any powers is a factor. Whereas, Hermione is more of an interesting character but that could be because of additional powers but also we can be annoyed with her for bing so clever -a true know-it-all. They both however try to ‘mother’ or control others in a terms of responsibility, however I think Bella is older interms of social awareness.

I wouldn’t be keen to compare them they have very different environments, lifestyles and cultures.

is rambling Sorry
Jesse

I am feminist myself, and I don’t see where people are getting these absurd ideas about Bella. I don’t like to cook, Bella likes to cook cause she feels a sense of responsibility. She cares about the people she loves more than herself. She doesn’t cook for charlie because shes the woman in the household, she does it because she WANTS to. I see a lot of myself in Bella. I care about people more than myself, I’m clumsy to the point of disability. Everything about Bella’s core as a character you feel she is real. Hermione on the other hand… She is bossy, know-it-all. Its unrealistic for someone to know EVERYTHING. Hermione is also a selfish in her own feelings character. People who say Bella is an undeveloped character are just quoting other people who don’t know what there talking about. Just wait until Midnight Sun, because Bella doesn’t see herself right remember? Edward on the other hand sees her for exactly what she is, and loves everything about her.
I loved the harry potter books. In my opinion no books will ever be near as good as the twilight series to me. Twilight to me is more than just books. I love them. Maybe that’s cause I identify with Bella. Maybe those who cant will never truly understand her.

chloe macri

Hermione is in NO way selfish. When the love of her life leaves. She could have thought about herself and gone with him. Left Harry alone, but she didn’t, she stayed with Harry to fight against Voldemort. She Harry was ‘sure; that voldemort had sirius in the ministry of magic. She knew that it was a trap, but she could not convince harry to stay, she she went with him, even though she knew it could very well lead them to there death. she erases her parents memories to protect them form voldemort, how hard would it be to erase yourself from her parents lives? She fights, time and time again since the age of 11 against evil.

Yes in the first book she is bossy. But she is from a muggle family, going into a place she knows nothing about, she is a scared 11 year old girl leaving her entire life for something new. she is a know it all becaue of that same reason, she reads as much as she can so that people can not tell her she doesnt fit in, so that she feels she does.

Hermione is in no way selfish.
chloe macri

Hermione is in NO way selfish. When the love of her life leaves. She could have thought about herself and gone with him. Left Harry alone, but she didn’t, she stayed with Harry to fight against Voldemort. She Harry was ‘sure; that voldemort had sirius in the ministry of magic. She knew that it was a trap, but she could not convince harry to stay, she she went with him, even though she knew it could very well lead them to there death. she erases her parents memories to protect them form voldemort, how hard would it be to erase yourself from her parents lives? She fights, time and time again since the age of 11 against evil.

Yes in the first book she is bossy. But she is from a muggle family, going into a place she knows nothing about, she is a scared 11 year old girl leaving her entire life for something new. she is a know it all becaue of that same reason, she reads as much as she can so that people can not tell her she doesnt fit in, so that she feels she does.

Hermione is in no way selfish.

kerri

OME! Im a shamless Harry Potter fan and Lurve Hermione, her loyalty to the Harry and Ron even though they dont deserve it alot, Bella is just as much as brave and loyal as Hermione, minus the wand! How dare they say that! Bella puts her life constantly on the line as a vampire kisses the hollow of her neck, yum! But she’s just as brave and trusting as Hermione. Bellas more of a real girl then Hermione. Shes normal, but was born to walk the line of the supernatural. In the end she concieves a vampires seed, and carries it without question of it’s love, and allows her body to be broken to bits just because it belongs to her and Edward. Thats bravery! Get a clue!
edward x lover

I like Bella. SM is not anti-feminist. She said that and explained on her website somewhere.
VanessaC

ok, im really glad b/c since my long rant got deleted, i was afraid points wouldnt be made that I REALLY wanted to point out, but fortunately, pretty much everything i originally intended to say has now been said by other ppl, especially Larissa, laurelusf, jesse, and kerri. Put together, these ppl said pretty much exactly what i originally said (b4 my comment got deleted) so now I dont have to worry about it not being said. In case you didnt figure it out, i agree w/you guys 110%- all of the things each of you said. So thanks guys, 4 saying what i didnt end up getting to say.
Hanban

After all the comments I’ve read teaming for Bella, I’d have to say some points they had first.
The very essence of feminism means that they’re equal with men. But that doesn’t mean eradicating their caring nature and love for household chores. I’m pretty sure Bella has shown to be a great cook, a responsible daughter, and a mature adult. And the fact that she had fear of blood and without special abilities (before Breaking Dawn) surfaces a real character. Though in the first 3 books she was the damsel in distress, or the heavily-guarded treasure, she has shown her willingness and stubbornness to help.

Lastly, I never did fall in the Harry Potter craze so I have no right to compare Hermione with Bella since I haven’t read the books. Though I have watched the movies. Hermione has a different position so does Bella.
Larissa

VanessaC, no problem, I’m glad I could help in bringing up some points that had been deleted, I hate when that happens.

I agree with what other people said in addition to what I said. In truth it’s hard to compare the two because of the different situations, which is why I mentioned trying to put the other in the others’ situation.
Ellen

I’m for Bella. I luv them both but i think bella is a lot lik me. I’m not a sports fan and im not the smartest person. lol

i think me and her have a lot in common (oh yea, were both clutz lol)
Courtney

I think that hermione kicks ass but i find that i can relate to bella easier an shes incredibly intelligent and the way she handled the whole edward is a vampire thing and by the end of breaking dawn bella kicks ass to
fairjudge

I only started reading Twilight a few days ago. and I read Harry Potter last year. I think Hermoine is a better role model because she really cares about issues (like that house elf group) , and is smart and fierce, and independent. Bella is a good character, but she isn’t as strong as Hermoine. And for those of you that say JK can’t write romance, you’re right:
HARRY POTTER ISN’T A ROMANCE SERIES!!
so you can’t judge hermoine badly just because her love life isn’t as great as Bella’s, because the point of Twilight is love, Harry Potter is about right and wrong.
teamwitch

Team Hermione! While Hermione(and Ron!) helps Harry save the magic world, Bella is in a fetal position withering in the forest.

Rorania, you obviously haven’t read Harry Potter if you think Ron isn’t completely infatuated with Hermione. I have nothing against love novels but Twilight is pure cheese.

Chloe Macri

thank you for finally saying it! Hermione and ron love each other, but there are more important things going on. And the Princes tale in the deathyl hallows. if that isnt love, i dont know what is!

Virr

Hermione annoyed me but Bella is a bit weaker than I’d like. So… I say neither. Luna Lovegood is the one for me.
Saffron

Maybe it’s just me, but I think Hermione is a real heroine. The way she ends up with Ron wasn’t the best ending for her, but it’s better than Bella, who changed her species to be with someone. Hermione becomes a woman, Bella does not.
I admire Hermione because she is ambitious and has a wide range of interests, and does not just read a few classics and moon over the heroes.
I disagree with Rorania that Hermione has shallow emotions until the last two books; she just isn’t obsessed with romance, and she is younger than Bella for six of the seven books anyway.

So even though Bella may be like every other girl (though none I’ve met) Hermione is a real character and is important even though she is not the main protagonist. And there’s nothing wrong with being clever
Ellie

Those of you saying that Bella is realistic, I agree. Hermione is a WITCH for crying out loud! What’s so realistic about that? Not everything has to be realistic. That’s the joy of fantasy in my opinion! It’s to express your imagination and think outside the box! Therefore I love unrealistic and cooky characters like Witches! Bella is too ordinary a person for my taste! She’s too boring and I can’t relate to her like most people. I would like to state that sure Hermione is nerdy and a know-it-all, but I am not a fan of Bella. She is whiny, much too dependant, and yes I do think that she is HORRIBLE example for women. In the first book she was okay, I actually kind of liked her but after… oh dear God. I thought to myself “This character is going down the toilet.” One of you said Hermione is a Mary Sue. Now I’m going to state what Hermione did in the 7 books. Bare with me. Sorcerer’s Stone: Solved Clues, Resuced boys from Devil’s Snare, Helped Harry get to Quirrell by switching around the potions. Chamber of Secrets: Even though she got petrified by the basilisk she left clues on where the boys should look for it, and of course she made the Polyjuice Potion which allowed Harry and Ron to sneak into the Slytherin Common Room to get the information they needed. Prisoner of Azkaban: She figured out Lupin was a werewolf and let Harry go back in time to undo all of their mistakes and save Sirius Black. Goblet of Fire: Helped Harry prepare for the Triwizard Tournament, (looking for a solution to breathe underwater). That book was mainly focused on Harry. Order of the Phoenix: Took on Voldemort’s minions and protected Harry even though it could have cost her life. She could have been hit by the Avada Kedavra curse. She helped search for Voldemort and Harry’s ‘destiny’ in the Department of Mystery. If you read it you know what I mean. Half Blood Prince: Again mainly focused on Harry, but she supported Harry in the fight between Voldemort’s Army and Dumbledore’s Army even though Dumbledore had died. Deathly Hallows: The team wouldn’t have survived the first chapter in this book if it weren’t for Hermione. She packed everyone’s clothes, did all the research, made camp, and kept everyone together. Who could forgot her outstanding fighting techniques against Voldemorts Army back at Hogwarts castle? Now please tell me how is Hermione a Mary Sue in ANY way? Bella throughout the whole book whined and of course the knight in shining armor rescued her. She showed some courage in Breaking Dawn but it’s nothing compared to what Hermione did. I’m not saying I hate Bella I just don’t like her personality and how she’s portrayed. It literally insults me. It seems as if all heroines are like this due to Bella’s portrayal. Hermione doesn’t have to be ‘realistic’ to relate to you. She relates to me a lot. I can be a know-it-all, I get top knotch grades, I read way too much, but I’m caring and considerate. I just… don’t see what’s so entertaining about Bella. Characters too ‘realistic’ don’t appeal to me and Mary Sues like her don’t appeal to me either. Don’t worry I’m done with my rant now. )