In the movie The Hunger Games we see a switch in the typical gender stereotypes. In this movie Katniss, the female protagonist, is the strong, powerful individual compared to the male protagonist Peeta. Peeta is smart, calculative, good with strategy and very artistic. However when compared to Katniss, his physical strength is nowhere close to hers. She is powerful and knows how to survive, not that Peeta doesn't but when it comes to fighting Katniss has the upper hand. Suzanne Collins, the author, did a fantastic job in showing a change in stereotypes. Normally the male is strong and protects the woman however in The Hunger Games, Katniss fights to save Peeta, she takes on the challenge to fight the other contestants (Tributes) to get the medication Peeta needs to survive. It is not like Peeta doesn't try to save Katniss; he pretends they are in love, and he joins the other tributes to pretend to attack her. However it would normally be expected that the female is good at strategy and convincing others but it is the opposite here.
Do you think that as a society we are moving away from the typical stereotypes and changing them?
How is the older generation accepting this change in stereotypes? Is Collins taking a step in the right direction or is her action to portray a change in gender not going to do much? Is the normal girl in today's world like Katniss or are the females in today's generation still following the stereotype that girls are weak and need a man to protect them? From what lens is this movie being shown?
Hunger Games is definitely an expectation to the rule but I think we need a continuity to say we are moving away from typical stereotypes. For examples, Avengers is doing better than the Hunger Games, which has a lot of gender stereotypes. Certainly, Collins is taking a step in the right direction, but I don't think it's enough. Gender stereotypes will continue to exist, which is why movies like Hunger Games need to be produced more.
I agree, because there have been tons of book in which there are strong, independent female characters, but they aren't as popular as books with the usual stereotypes of the strong male). Take for example Twilight, Bella is unquestionably weak, dependent, and meek, she needs constant protection and her awkwardness is a health hazard. Yet, with all these factors that should cause outrage, teenage girls (arguably) love the franchise, and support the movies, the books, and the submissive message that they carry; women need to be protected! Therefore, there needs to be a larger effort in promoting movies like Hunger games, in which females play an active role and contribute to the story line in ways other than the constant hassle of protection.
I agree with both of you Maheen and Neeraja that yes The Hunger Games is an exception and a good start but we still haven't gotten too far with moving away from these stereotypes. Yes even today most girls still love those typical stereotype movies where the girl is weak and is in a dangerous situation and a strong man comes to save her. However for twilight I think the author left the character Bella very bland and open so anyone can kind of picture themselves as the character which is why girls love it because they feel Edward is saving them.
Since Hunger Games was a big hit, and is a start to portraying positive stereotypes about women in media, it is possible for the stereotypes to change. As media has a trend during the seasonal times, if this catches on, it may go down history. Yes, I do think many women in the world are like the character Katniss, including housewife's for instance. Just because they stay home, and cook doesn't mean they are weak and need to be protected by a man. Women in all parts of the world are now stepping up as the dominate gender, and are proving the stereotypes wrong. If you're a girl yourself, try comparing the typical stereotypes that are provided for girls in society. Do you match with most of the steretypes, or have you evolved past them?
I agree with you that housewives are powerful and strong. I am a girl and I have compared myself to the typical stereotypes many times before and I have to say that I have evolved past them. I can't say I don't fit any of the stereotypes because I don't know all off them and I am sure a few apply to me but I don't match most of them.
I agree, with you about it being a change in the media. But how long do you think they can keep it up? One movie isn't going to change much when your comparing it the media. You may get some movies with female as the main character and dominate one in the movie, but after a week you get another 5 movies back to its original state. For there to be a change in the media about the stereotypes surrounding the female, more people like Collins have to step up.
I believe that Hunger Games is starting to change the stereotype of women. They can be the protagonist in a action film. Why not? In the first week in the box office, Hunger Games were getting a lot of women. WHY, because there's a women that is fighting.
I also agree with Mayur because to change the stereotype, there should be more than one movie to change this. If there was a series of Hunger Games, then it will be the start.
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ReplyDeleteHunger Games is definitely an expectation to the rule but I think we need a continuity to say we are moving away from typical stereotypes. For examples, Avengers is doing better than the Hunger Games, which has a lot of gender stereotypes. Certainly, Collins is taking a step in the right direction, but I don't think it's enough. Gender stereotypes will continue to exist, which is why movies like Hunger Games need to be produced more.
ReplyDeleteI agree, because there have been tons of book in which there are strong, independent female characters, but they aren't as popular as books with the usual stereotypes of the strong male). Take for example Twilight, Bella is unquestionably weak, dependent, and meek, she needs constant protection and her awkwardness is a health hazard. Yet, with all these factors that should cause outrage, teenage girls (arguably) love the franchise, and support the movies, the books, and the submissive message that they carry; women need to be protected!
DeleteTherefore, there needs to be a larger effort in promoting movies like Hunger games, in which females play an active role and contribute to the story line in ways other than the constant hassle of protection.
I agree with both of you Maheen and Neeraja that yes The Hunger Games is an exception and a good start but we still haven't gotten too far with moving away from these stereotypes. Yes even today most girls still love those typical stereotype movies where the girl is weak and is in a dangerous situation and a strong man comes to save her. However for twilight I think the author left the character Bella very bland and open so anyone can kind of picture themselves as the character which is why girls love it because they feel Edward is saving them.
DeleteSince Hunger Games was a big hit, and is a start to portraying positive stereotypes about women in media, it is possible for the stereotypes to change. As media has a trend during the seasonal times, if this catches on, it may go down history. Yes, I do think many women in the world are like the character Katniss, including housewife's for instance. Just because they stay home, and cook doesn't mean they are weak and need to be protected by a man. Women in all parts of the world are now stepping up as the dominate gender, and are proving the stereotypes wrong. If you're a girl yourself, try comparing the typical stereotypes that are provided for girls in society. Do you match with most of the steretypes, or have you evolved past them?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that housewives are powerful and strong. I am a girl and I have compared myself to the typical stereotypes many times before and I have to say that I have evolved past them. I can't say I don't fit any of the stereotypes because I don't know all off them and I am sure a few apply to me but I don't match most of them.
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ReplyDeleteI agree, with you about it being a change in the media. But how long do you think they can keep it up? One movie isn't going to change much when your comparing it the media. You may get some movies with female as the main character and dominate one in the movie, but after a week you get another 5 movies back to its original state. For there to be a change in the media about the stereotypes surrounding the female, more people like Collins have to step up.
ReplyDeleteYes it is only a tiny step on a long road and many more people like Collins need to step up.
DeleteI believe that Hunger Games is starting to change the stereotype of women. They can be the protagonist in a action film. Why not? In the first week in the box office, Hunger Games were getting a lot of women. WHY, because there's a women that is fighting.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Mayur because to change the stereotype, there should be more than one movie to change this. If there was a series of Hunger Games, then it will be the start.