If you haven't read the books but want to, just know there are spoilers in this here article.
One of the best things about both the Games books and the Potter books are the female characters. This isn't news. Unlike in the Twilight books, the main female characters in these books are strong. They've got interesting personalities. They have purpose. It's so good for girls (and just readers in general) to have strong female role models in literature. I can't even wait to have kids just so I can read them wonderful books like these. (..Is that weird? Whatever.)
This probably isn't good form, but I'm going to declare the winner and then give my reasons.
It's Harry Potter.
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So Katniss is obviously a great female character. I mean, she's the leader of a revolution, dammit. She possesses characteristics that are generally assigned to men in literature (...and in society). She's the breadwinner for her family. In the absence of a father, Collins doesn't give us an eldest brother, she gives us Katniss. Better yet, Katniss steps into this role and provides for her family by hunting. She doesn't get a job in a bakery or a clothes shop. Obviously, there's nothing wrong with either of those things, but with most female characters in literature and television being squeezed into one of those two professions (or very similar ones), it's nice for readers to see that women aren't limited in what they can do and how they can provide for their families.
For the most part, Katniss is harsh. She's cold and angry and stand-offish. She cares deeply about the people she loves, but she's not a warm person. (I'd argue that, despite how they sound, these characteristics aren't entirely bad. They got her where she is.)
Aside from showing a degree of emotional strength (albeit a defense mechanism), Katniss is physically strong, as well. Girl gets shot at in the third book and continues to try to defend a hospital filled with injured people. Also, she, you know, wins the hunger games. That too.
One of the good things about Katniss' character is that Collins gave her layers. Like Shrek:
Sure she's cold and hard, but she struggles with emotions. Throughout the story she goes back and forth on whether she wants to be in a relationship with Gale or Pita.. or if she wants a relationship at all. But it doesn't become a catty, immature love triangle (again, that can be found in Twilight). She doesn't go jump off of a cliff to get either man's attention and she lie and cause problems with anyone. She just feels the need to discover herself a bit more before being ready to be in a relationship - and before knowing what she can give and receive in a relationship. Ultimately she chooses Pita, because he can make her happy. Gale is angry and Pita is more caring, gentle, and optimistic. Collins makes it so that Katniss isn't just a mad, cold woman, but she also doesn't get all googly-eyed over every cute man she sees, either. It's important that she chooses a life partner consciously and for the right reasons - they work well with each other, balance each other, and can bring each other happiness - instead of falling for a man because he lusts after her. Personally, I think the former is more romantic than the latter. And more sensible.
Basically, Katniss is fierce.
Her sister, Prim, is also strong. She's a kid though, and her strength isn't fully displayed until the third book. I love Prim, just like pretty much every other person who has read the books. She's like, what, 14? And she goes into a war zone to help heal people? Word. But I think Collins missed an opportunity to really create another strong female character with Prim by waiting so long to show us how impressive and brave Prim was. I understand that novels can't fully develop every character and that Prim's main role in the book was shaping Katniss' personality and actions. But I do think that there was room for more main female characters in The Hunger Games. Of course, we have Joanne, Mags, President Coin (who isn't strong and wonderful, but fills a position that is normally reserved for men), etc. There are a lot of interesting women, but they aren't main characters. I can't really talk about Effie and the make-up teams because their personalities are shaped more by the class they're in than by gender, which makes sense as class structure (and indeed class warfare) is one of the central aspects of the trilogy.
The Harry Potter books, on the other hand, have no shortage of excellent female characters. Rowling had seven books for character development, so there's a bit of an advantage over Collins, I suppose. Maybe. There are countless women in the Potter books, but I'd say the main female characters are Hermione, Mrs. Weasley, Professor McGonagall, Ginny, Bellatrix Lestrange, Tonks, and Lily.
I love how Rowling incorporated so many different kinds of women into the series. I think society pretty much demonizes women no matter what they choose to do (Stay at home moms "don't do anything," working moms "neglect their kids," etc. Eye roll.), so it's refreshing to see such a wide span of women in the books.
Hermione is a smart overachiever. She's caring and brave and let's be real, Voldemort would still be alive if Ron and Harry didn't have so much help from Hermione; she figured out Nicholas Flamel, the basilisk, some of the mysteries surrounding the horcruxes and the deathly hallows. If not for Hermione, Harry'd be dead and the series over at the end of the first book.
Mrs. Weasley is a stay at home mom. But that doesn't mean she's not smart and brave - she's also essential to the books. Her strength lies in how warm and welcoming she is. She provides a home for Harry several times throughout the series. She treats him like her own, something he acknowledges he's grateful for. Her home is always open to anyone who needs it (it's sheltered Harry, Hagrid, Tonks, Hermione, etc). It's where the Order finds safety. Mrs. Weasley manages to make even the filthiest and hateful places - 12 Grimmauld Place - a little more cheerful. Through Mrs. Weasley, Rowling shows that all women, regardless of their vocation and calling, are instrumental in helping people and you know, destroying evil. Anyone who thinks motherhood is easy or being a stay at home mom is equivalent to never working should take a look at Mrs. Weasley.
Professor McGonagall is probably one of my favorite characters in the Harry Potter books. One, she's sassy.
Two, she's intelligent and dedicated to what she does. She's gifted in her field and she's not scared to fight for what's right. Also, she's old, unmarried, and without children. Rowling so far has given us a know-it-all but save the day teenager, a stay at home mom, and an old, single, childless woman and - GASP! - they all have worth and are important to the cause. They're all wonderful.
Ginny is fearless, Tonks is funny and skilled (..and hunts dark wizards. What what.) and is a working mom, and Lily, though we never exactly "meet" her, is selfless and loving. Bellatrix is not a Good character, but she's powerful and, like President Coin in The Hunger Games, it's nice to see women in roles that are almost always saved for men.
Rowling gives us the full spectrum of women. They all have goals and purpose. They're all strong, but they're strong in different ways. Whether it's solving clues or keeping everyone fed, the women in the series are giving and kind and helpful to the cause. Rowling shows us that women aren't to be defined as one vocation or one strength, and that's beautiful.
While both are a breath of fresh air when it comes to female character development, the Harry Potter series wins because it's got such a plethora of different kinds of women doing what they're good at in order to fight for Good.
Now, GIF central:
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Charlotte
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