TEAM BELLA OR TEAM HERMIONE?
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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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.
Hermione = Mary Sue. Especially in Deathly Shallows. Bella is real people.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.”
I love bella swan!!!! I think that she rocks!!! and if you don’t then just shut up!!!!
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
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.
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!
I like Bella. SM is not anti-feminist. She said that and explained on her website somewhere.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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
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.
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.
Hermione annoyed me but Bella is a bit weaker than I’d like. So… I say neither. Luna Lovegood is the one for me.
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