Harry Potter vs. Twilight

Lessons

I am a huge literature geek. I love the classics, especially Jane Austen. I've formed opinions over which authors I like better and why. I can give good reasons for why I don't like certain authors, and I try to read at least one book before forming an opinion on them.

But some books are less about the great literature, and more about connecting with the reader. All books try to teach you something, it's choosing which one to listen to that is difficult.

And some books teach you more than others. The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Pride and Prejudice are three books or series that I can name off the top of my head that teach multiple lessons.

Another one is Harry Potter. All of the characters teach something, even Voldemort.

Dumbledore teaches us to live to love, and love to live, but that death is not to be feared.

Hermione teaches us that it's okay to be nerdy.

Ron taught me to be a loyal friend, no matter what.

Draco taught me that you can turn your life around.

Voldemort taught me that it's not worth living if you live without love.

Sirius taught me that to see a man, you must look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.

Molly Weasley taught us that nothing can get in the way of family.

Arthur Weasley taught us that it was okay to have an obsession with something.

Umbridge taught me to treat others with respect.

Harry taught us all that anything is possible with enough bravery, loyalty, and love.

———

Now let's look at Twilight:

Bella teaches us that it's okay to completely neglect all friends for your boyfriend; to let your boyfriend do all the work; and that suicide is an option.

Edward teaches us that you only accomplish anything if you're hot; and that it's okay to abuse someone in a relationship.

Jacob taught us that pedophilia is okay.

Charlie taught us that it is okay to be a terrible father.

So many of the characters didn't teach us anything.

The overall lesson of Harry Potter is what Dumbledore taught us: we should live to love, and love to live.

The overall lesson of Twilight is that it is perfectly okay to do terrible things.