Before we get on to the final question of this debate, let me just say what a thrill it has been to see an intelligent literary discussion about Twilight and Harry Potter! To all of you young readers out there, my greatest hope is that the arguments of these venerable debaters encourage you not only to keep reading, but to read critically and thoughtfully.
Now, let's wrap this thing up:
Question #5: A number of critics have predicted that, decades from now, no one will think the Potter series or the Twilight series worth reading. Do you agree or disagree? If you disagree, why do you think people will still be in love with these books? Do you think the series you are defending will stand the test of time better?
What do you think, Team Twilight?
Ms. Laura Nelson: I wholeheartedly disagree with these critics! Both of these series offer great storylines that, in my opinion, WILL stand the test of time. I think that Twilight will be more popular overall, because stories of forbidden and undying love and vampire suspense will appeal to more of the public. I also think the plot line and character description and development is unparalleled by Harry Potter. Twilight captured me like Harry Potter never could. I can guarantee that when I am 90 you could find me curled in a comfy chair in front of the fire with Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or breaking Dawn crushed in my hands, my eyes desperately scanning the pages and sighing over Edward’s declarations of love, protection, and devotion for Bella. The characters are timeless, the setting is rich, and the plot will entrance readers for centuries to come. Just like Romeo and Juliet and Dracula are still coveted by readers decades later, so will be Twilight. Stephenie Meyer has created a classic that will grace reader’s bookshelves for vampire eternity, which we all know is a very, very long time. These critics may also be basing their assumptions on the fact that Meyers and Rowling write for a Young Adult audience. I feel the need to point out the fact that MANY adults have enjoyed the worlds of Harry Potter and Twilight just as much as any “tween” or young adult. There will be an audience for both Harry Potter and Twilight for a very long time, but I do argue that Twilight’s audience will be significantly larger and more intense than Harry Potter’s.
Ms. Caroline Gates: I very STRONGLY DISAGREE! I think the main reason why people will still love these books years and years from now, it will all be the same. Its good writing. Even though I LOVE Twilight, both books have great characters that you love and a story that you can't put down. These are books that once you start, you have to finish it. It doesn't matter if you read them before or not, you love to read them. You love to read the adventures that take place and what the characters go through to get where they end. I think the only reason why critics think these books won't last is because its not really "classic" literature. To me, classic literature has some form of a love story that makes you swoon or has a really big conflict in the book. Well, if you look at the books that way, they are already classics. Twilight's love story "dazzles" you and makes you "addicted" to it. Harry Potter's conflict keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Ms. Taelor Ball: I agree that Harry Potter won’t be worth reading 10 years from now because I don’t think wizards will be popular for much longer. The first Harry Potter book (Sorceror’s Stone) came out in 1997, while Twilight came out in 2005. And look at the fact that Dracula is still a popular book, and everyone knows about it, even though it was written in 1897. Plus, Twilight is a love story, and love stories (the good ones at least) are remembered for a long time.
Ms. Caroline Suh: As much as I believe that the realism of the Twilight series proves it to be a non-fantasy genre of books, it obviously is, but not as overboard when compared to Harry Potter. These type of books never grow out of date, especially when you consider the immense popularity that Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia has with people to this day for that matter. Combined with the riveting love story that is mirrored from Romeo & Juliet and the real, personal qualities of each of the characters, the Twilight series will find itself connecting with readers for many decades to come. There is no doubt in my mind that people will revisit these series time and time again in order to re-experience that sensation of first love and the dangers and problems Bella and Edward face with it. I would not be surprised for Edward's popularity, especially, to surpass the temporary craze as "perfect boyfriend" and be raised to the literary platform of great fictional men alongside Romeo and Mr. Darcy.
Last word goes to you, Team Potter:
Ms. Annalisa Freeman: I'm not going to entirely disagree with this statement. Sure you may wonder what a story about an ordinary boy who discovers he is a wizard or one about intense, passionate love between an impossible pair won't be enticing for future readers, but if history shows us anything, it's that their popularity will wane. That's not to say that no one will find them worthy of reading. Treasure Island, Nancy Drew, and Ramona are still loved by young readers, just not as intensely as they once were.
But between the two I'd have to say that Harry Potter will hold up better overtime. It's not just that Harry Potter appeals to a greater audience and therefore its fan base obliterates Twilight's in numbers that makes me think so. If you were being completely honest with yourself the following scenario will convince you too: If your father or grandfather brought you a book with a twinkle in his eye about a wizard that he loved as a boy and hopes you cherish the story as much as he did, you'd probably read the story or at least be intrigued by it. If however as a teenage girl your mother or grandmother brought you a book with a twinkle in her about a sexy vampire and hopes you love him as much as she did, you'd be dead set on not swooning over the same boy she did. That would not be cool. Therein lies the complication of Twilight over the decades.
Ms. Molly Gerber: I think both series will be read many years from now. Die-hard Potter fans and die-hard Twilight fans will pass down their respective series to their children. I know I, for one, can't wait to introduce my children to the series that shaped and influenced my life more than anything else ever could have, in hopes that it will touch them in a similar fashion. I long to have deep discussions and teach them lesons through the lessons found within Potter. Of course, now that all the books of both series (unless Meyer publishes Midnight Sun) are released, the phenomenons of both will inevitably die down significantly among the masses. However, I believe that Harry Potter will live on in history, more than Twilight, for one reason; the fans. The fandom of Harry Potter was the first of it's kind in size and scope. No book before, and none yet after have topped it. Never have people on such scale around the world been so enthralled with a book. Harry Potter just came at the perfect time. They were the first fandom to really, deeply utilize the internet to connect. I believe people in the future will want to read the Potter books to try to understand why it was such a big deal back in our day. Why people sat in lines for hours to get a new book, started bands in such large numbers, had conventions, made an amusement park, spent hours online debating, arguing, writing fanfiction, roleplaying, and why Harry Potter consumed people's lives.
Yes, Twilight has many of these things in common, but that can't stop the fact that Harry Potter came first, and the Harry Potter fandom is infinitely times bigger and stronger than the Twilight fandom.
Besides where the characters are written in such an '80s fashion they are already outdated. I just don't see them standing the test of time as well as Harry Potter whose story doesn't have anything in it to date its conception. The movie producers seem to agree with me. Harry Potter films have been delayed and even split to make the most out of them. They're not worried about the fan base going anywhere. The Twilight movie producers on the other hand have decided to whip out the movies before the fade dies. The fact that so many girls have such a strong obsession with the Twilight books almost guarantees its fade status. While Harry Potter is popular, I wouldn't characterize its fan base as obsessive, at least not most of it, which gives it a little longer staying power.
Ms. Juliana Gomes: I definitely disagree, because I think these books are part of the literature history, if that makes any sense. Both of them were such big hits, two of the hugest best-sellers, that I don’t think forgetting about them is even possible. They are both magical, breath-taking stories. They will never get old. Magic never gets “too old”, and it’s something everyone enjoys.
It doesn’t matter if it’s fifty years from now, people will definitely remember them. In my opinion, though, the Harry Potter series stand a better chance to be remembered, because it’s much more magical, and the books are famous as long as anyone can remember, and if people are still passionate about them now, then there’s no way they’re going to be forgotten in the future. Even if the numbers of fans are not as big, there will always be those people who love the books enough to keep re-reading them.
Ms. Victoria Landaker: I completely disagree with these critics! I believe whole-heartedly that both of these series will still be popular decades from now. Honestly, I do think that the Potter series will become a classic because of the number of people, internationally, who have embraced it, and continue to embrace it. However, I still think that there will be hundreds of people, decades from now, who still love both of these series because they are both stories that portray what people love to read about the most: bravery and love.
Do you have an opinion on which side had the most convincing argument? Let us know -- leave a comment below.
Huzzah to all Twilight and Harry Potter fans and thank you so much to all the members of both Team Potter and Team Twilight. And, whether you are an obsessive Twi-hard or a devoted Potter head, remember this: KEEP READING!
Missed any of the Twilight vs Harry Potter debate? Don't fret; here are links to the entire frolicsome event:
Question #1
Question #2
Question #3
Question #4
Meet the Team Twilight and Team Potter debate teams
Comments
twilight deffinitly had the stronger argument.
I personally was offend by the argument. First of all there where only women debating both sides. I think if you look you will find ALL guy prefer harry potter and so do most girls. Harry Potter is a story for everyone where as twilight is a story for girls with love fantasies. I respect it for that, it get the job done, but it's audience is so focused that it isn't even comparable to Harry Potter. My mom read me the harry potter series when I was five I LOVED IT and still love it. How many of you twihards would have loved this book at five? Harry Potter is for everyone. Twilight is for teen age girls and women from 12-35. Harry Potter is obviously superior, though I respect twilight for doing what it was written to do. If you don't believe me still need I remind you who has the highest grossing franchise of ALL TIME? Or the fastest and best selling book second only to the bible?
Harry Potter is definitely the better series. I don't think you can argue that a book with such a complex plot -- and, indeed, subplots -- is inferior to Twilight.
Twilight is about a whiny, bratty girl who is selfish beyond extreme and throws away her friends, family, and education -- basically her entire LIFE -- for a boy she's known only for a few weeks.
Harry Potter is about a boy triumphing over evil. It's about love, and family, and the importance of friendship and sacrifice. It's about life.
Twihards argue that you can't relate to the Harry Potter characters, because they're in such a different world to us. I disagree. The struggles Harry, Snape, etc, endure are far more relatable and realistic than Bella or Edward.
Also, another point I'd like to make is that J.K. Rowling took the time to flesh out her characters, to make them three-dimensional, and to develop them as the series moved on. All of her characters, including nearly all of the side characters, are fully developed and have their own distinct personalities. Meyer, however, completely fails at this. What do we really know about her characters? All of Bella's friends are basically one-dimensional cardboard cutouts. Bella herself is a failure at characterisation -- she's a blank slate, perfect for young teenage girls to replace with their own personalities.
Another issue -- that of morals -- is one that annoys me. Harry Potter is about good vs. evil. Twihards argue that Twilight has a much more mature storyline, and teaches you more about life. I strongly disagree. Meyer's books teach girls to abandon everything for boyfriends, to commit suicide if they get dumped, to give up friends, family and education for nothing...
Lastly, the writing. People say that Meyer is a fabulous writer. FAIL. She's horrible at writing, and I must say that her constant overuse of purple prose is sickening to read. She uses certain words over and over again -- such as "chagrin" or "muttered" -- and prattles on about Edward's "perfect" body for pages and pages. Twihards argue that her use of first-person narrative makes Bella eaiser to relate to. WRONG. Reading Bella's thoughts is tedious and boring. She is an extremely bland character who's sole existence is to go on about Edward's "glorius", "scintillating" body, etc, etc.
I don't understand how people can say that Bella is a good role-model. She is a step backward for feminism, as well as an uninteresting, Mary-Sue character. People say that Twilight's themes are good, mostly because it promotes chastity. Well, that's wrong. Bella is constantly begging for sex. CONSTANTLY. And don't even get me started on the failure that is Breaking Dawn.
In conclusion, wizards trump vampires any day.
Twilight is (hopefully) a fad that will die out in a few years. Harry Potter seems to be staying for a long while yet.
I have always been an avid reader, and I read the first Harry Potter book when I was six. I quickly read all the ones that were out (the first 4) and fell in love. But as I got older, I grew out of them. Magic doesn't seem so real as a teenager.
But then I read Twilight, and I found a new book series to be obsessed about. I found the Twilight Saga a much better read than Harry Potter, and since then I haven't touched a Harry Potter book.
So, werewolves (oh, and the vampires too) are much better than magical people who get rid of their problems with a wave of a stick.
Harry Potter is a book series which people grow out of, but Twilight lasts.
If you haven't touched your HP books in years, you should probably check them out again. I prefer Harry Potter much more, not only because it has a better plot, characters, etc., but because the intensity of it all. You can be both a Harry Potter and Twilight fan at the same time. And maybe rereading them will make them feel more real. Rereading them as I get older made me appreciate them even more.
yeah, so I have visited this web site because of this topic. Sure people have different views of things, and my view of which book is better is of course Twilight.
why I pick twilight:
I picked Twilight because when I was in middle school I'm not really a fan of reading, I only read when it was assigned by the teacher. But when I was in 8th grade my sisters friend was talking about some books with a vampire falling in love with a human, I was like "oh, thats awesome, so whats the title of the book?" so she told me and when I finally saw the book I was like "woah, that book is big" of course this sort of statement will come from a person who only wants to read manga's. But, I tried to endure the first paragraph and I realized I can go on.
The book have captured me and had me daydreaming my whole 8th grade year. I couldn't focus on my FCAT and NRT's. But the book did captured my writing ability and I have a 5 average. (I'm pretty proud of that because I'm not much of a writer) I passed the FCAT! but I'm not sure about my NRT. So anyways, the book is like a drug to me I want more and more and it was never enough. I have read all of the four books and I absolutely love them all!
Sure, I have read a Harry Potter book, Order of the Phoenix. At first I was like this is a cool book but when I put the book down I just forgot it fast. I have read the first three chapters and when I put it down I just lost interest in it.
To make my in conclusion short Twilight is the best!
In spite of being a twi-hard i must confess Potter will end up winning in the long haul.(mostly for reasons explained by ms freeman). Maybe if BD would have had a more epic twist in the end it could have gone a long way. Edward however will be our generation's mr Darcy :|)
In Short:
Twilight is Pride and Prejudice with fangs.
Harry Potter is Frodo with a wand
So who would need either one in 200 yrs?
I think Harry Potter is gonna last forever, not only because it's bounding, is because it had created an adoration and loyalty in their readers and they all want to spend it for their children. This is the way it never gonna end. I'm a Potter freak, and I think like that.
There are a weak point in the Twilight Series, that shows that you have to leave your beliefs and customs for the man you love, and not even normal love, because it was based on appearance first. Harry Potter shows you that love is the greatest thing, and that it comes in a magical way, without appearence or fancy things, like James and Lily...
This book is a lot like the LOTR in this aspect, because this series will go on, it might decline for a time, but will reach back into a gloriously time, because it is installed in the heart of its readers, and things like this, and true love, are forever.
Harry Potter will last forever. As mentioned in the article, it's been around for 17 years, and you still find people that are still reading and discussing it.
Twilight has been around for nearly 3-4 years. When it first came out, I had no idea it existed. Only when Breaking Dawn came out did I really acknowledge the series.
I think Harry Potter is bound to be a classic, but for years to come, both books will be a wonderful read for any avid reader.
Harry Potter will live on. I think that Ms. Annalisa Freeman makes a good statement in saying if your Mom gave you a book and said she loved the sexy vampire in it, and hoped that you loved him as much as she did, that you wouldn't be so eager to love it too. I also think Twilight is just a big fad right now, and that it will die out. I think that Molly makes a good point about it in saying the film makers are spreading out the Harry Potter movies and the Twilight movies are trying to be made quickly. I know for a fact that I am going to give all the Harry Potter books to my kids, and read them in class if I become a teacher (which is a possibility for me). I also completely agree with Molly where she says that Harry Potter doesn't have anything in it to date it's conception. I think Team Potter's debates have been much stronger, better, and with more reasoning.
I think that Harry Potter will last the longest, because it not only appeals to a larger age group, but guys can read it too. There are not a whole lot of boys who will admit to reading Twilight. Think about it... "I'm reading a love story about a girl who falls in love with a super sexy vampire." Doesn't happen all that often. They are both INCREDIBLE books, I just think that Harry Potter will do better in the long run.
I think Harry Potter will last longer because it was the first of its kind. There are other vampire stories out there and love stories shockingly similar to Twilight. Twilight's a fad because Edward is "hot". Once that dies out, what's left? Vampires? They've got Dracula for that. No, Harry Potter was a huge success when it first came out and it's still going strong.
In our opinion, Ms. Laura Nelson, whomever she may be is pure Twi-hard genius.
I completely agree with Sara. It makes me sad, though, that Twilight (for me) was such a colossal let down. I only started reading the series so I could see what all the hype was about and so I could say, with good reasoning, why I liked/disliked the series. Originally I hated it because that's all I'd hear people talking about, which was exactly how I was with Harry Potter. I read the first Harry Potter in fifth grade and was hooked, and I was nervous that the same thing would happen with Twilight. I didn't want to join the ranks of swooning girls (yuck). I honestly liked the fact that Stephanie was trying to do something different with vampires (though recently I've been hearing that there are better books that are very similar), but I just feel that her writing ability made the series completely lackluster. I haven't read the last one, since I can never get it from the library, and I'll be damned if I actually buy that piece of crap (I got that from the mouths of Twilight fans!). Anyways, I personally need to have my mind stimulated and challenged when I read a book, and Twilight just failed for me. I'm not saying Harry Potter was super hard reading, but there were a couple words that I had to look up while reading. I can say in all honesty that reading Harry Potter throughout the years helped improve my reading skills, while Twilight actually upset me how easy it was when it was in the first person view of a girl with supposed above average intelligence. You'd think her thoughts would be a little more complex, or at least a little more interesting than Edward's "scintillating" skin repeated fifteen times on one page.
I read the first Harry Potter book in first grade. I'm now a sophmore in high school, and I'm still hooked. I'm rereading the last book at the moment. I recently read the first book also, and while it definitely feels like a kids' book, I enjoyed it because it felt comforting and was still just as exciting as any more mature book.
As for Twilight, I actually really wanted to be part of the fan craze. I was sad when I wouldn't have any more Harry Potter book releases to get excited for. I began reading the first book at the bookstore and after skimming through a few chapters, I simply couldn't go on. Bad writing, repetitive and cheesy lines... I was really disappointed. Most importantly, I didn't feel emotionally invested in the characters. Honestly, I didn't care what happened to them.
I think that both series will stand the test of time, but there is simply no match for Harry Potter. First of all, it has a much larger fan base. It appeals to girls, boys, men, and women. The Twilight fan base doesn't really include males. Second of all, the Twilight plot may be complex, but not nearly as much as Harry Potter. You catch more and more every time you read. Little things in the early books turn out important in later books. The more you read, the more of these little connections you build up. There's just so much to absorb. I expect to be rereading these books when I'm older and pass them on to my children. In this way Harry Potter won't be forgotten. Third of all, Harry Potter has made history. Twilight has had one midnight party, four books, and one movie (I expect it will have three, don't think Breaking Dawn will be adapted... but possibly, I guess). Harry Potter has had four midnight parties, seven books, and will have eight movies. Eight movies! Not to mention that there will be a Harry Potter amusement park soon, the author is the richest author in the world, etc. Harry Potter is now part of our culture.
I can think of more arguments, such as the poor moral lessons in Twilight vs. the admirable ones in Harry Potter, etc. But I'm not going to type them all up.
Harry Potter was on the best seller list for more than a decade. It took three books for Twilight to even get noticed. Whitch one do you think will last?
Whilst I think both sides did put out good arguements, it was clear that Team Potter had much more detailed and well thought out answers. Team Twilight, I felt, were merely grasping at straws.
Harry Potter is far better than Twilight any day. Whilst JKR may not be the best writer in the world, at least her style grew as each book progressed, whereas SMeyer, no matter how hard people try, refuses to accept any constructive criticism and allow her style to progress. We have her brother Seth to thank for that. I will continue to read the Harry Potter series anually. I feel like I owe something to it for getting me into reading and subsequentually, writing. Whereas Twilight only exists to prove to me exactly how not to write a novel.
I believe that Harry Potter is epic, more interesting, thrilling and complex. I have been reading Harry Potter books for so long now and since I've heard of the Twilight books, I grabbed one and kept reading it. Everyone said it was great and it's the best and even hotter than Harry Potter. But when I finished the book, and started reading the next one, I was just bored out. I mean, it got so boring. I'm a teen and I understand how the story goes but I just don't like how it was written. It's just a matter of conversations and romance plot mixed with fiction. Twilight would have been a great romance book, but all this vampire, perfection, sparkling Bull made it look like a sissy, girly, trying-hard-to-be-appreciated-series. I don't get that same spark I get when I read Harry Potter nor the interest that makes you think "wonder what's gonna happen next.". For my opinion, Harry Potter is really EPIC and will stand along with Lord of the rings, Narnia and all the other successful books out there, while Twilight, will just soon fade away.
P.S. The Twilight movie was cheesy. Badly written and badly directed. But the score was fantastic. The Composer and orchestrator don't deserve to work on low-budget movies.
I believe that the Harry Potter series is definitely more intelligent and stirring. I loved the Harry Potter novels, then picked up the Twilight series and was hooked- on Edward. But once i opened Harry Potter again, Twilight was forgotten. I have since tried to read Twilight again, but have simply discovered that there is no comparison. Stephanie Meyer's books appeal to girls becuase she created the perfect man- that is to say, vampire. However, J.K. Rowling created an entire world, and a creative one at that. Plus, the world of Harry Potter and it's characters are not perfect. Harry is embarrassed to be seen with Luna in the 5th book; he doesn't finish his homework; and he lands himself more detentions than most. What kind of hero is that? A realistic one, I say. Bella's character, though told from her point of view, is, if i may say so myself, dissapointingly bland. She does not grow or mature throughout the series; she barely even has a personality. Sorry twilight fans, but "smart", and "clumsy" are not character traits, they're quirks. Also, Bella completely drops everything when she meets Edward, a love that, in my opinion, lacks development. In just a few weeks she found someone who was important enough to make her forget about her dad, mother, and freinds. Since Bella did not grow during the novels, it was impossible to believe Stephanie Meyer when Bella was suddenly a mother, not to mention a vampire. Harry Potter, however, was forced to take on challenges and lose loved ones throughout the series. He began a neglected boy who lived in a cupboard, surprised that everyone knew his name, and worried that he would have to wrestle a troll in order to be sorted into his school house. While he and his freinds grew, he discovered more about himself (he could speak parseltongue? he had a godfather?) and took more risks to protect his freinds (saving ginny from the basilisk, going into the whomping willow to save ron). He found the father he never had, then lost him again, saw a popular classmate killed just for straying along the path of Lord Voldemort, and helped Dumbledore unravel the past to find what made Voldemort the feared wizard he was today. Harry struggled with his identity, wondering whether their weren't reasons why he and Voldemort were so very alike, and learning that he had the choice to take a different path than Tom Riddle. He fought lies and whispers and defied the Ministry just because it was the right thing to do. He rebelled, and watched another take the fall for him. Harry found a pretty girl, and struggled to understand why she couldn't just enjoy herself. He found himself popular and revered by his classmates, but found that he preferred to sit with the girl with the butterbeer cork necklace and the boy who lost his toad, because they stood by him when no one else did. He found love again, but attempted to stifle it in order to save his freindship with Ron. He grew to be the face of hope for the whole wizarding community, yet his aunt and uncle still saw him as the freak boy who should be shut in the cupboard.
All of this shaped Harry into a more mature and stronger person, so in the 7th book, when he leaves the familiar halls of Hogwarts, we believe it, becuase we learn to embrace big changes.
although i believe both books are very interesting, harry potter is a classic! Even if the books do get forgotten, i think harry potter will probably last longer than twilight.
I wouldn't say that being obsessed over a book is good. It gets extremely annoying when my friends talk about nothing but twilight. And as if one forbidden love story (Romeo and Juliet) is enough. Who wants to read a book which is just a remake of a classic story? Harry Potter's plot is more original.
Twihards argue that Harry Potter's world is too unrealistic for us to relate to, but it is fiction! And a greater amount of people can relate to the troubles that the characters of Harry Potter face than those of Twilight. You may argue that not many people are marked down for death by evil, but that's not what I meant! I meant the problems like gossip, crushes, and other things like that. Not many people fall in love with someone who they can't love.
And Team Potter had the better argument, especially in question three. (Particularly Ms. Gerber.) There is nary a thing that can change my mind about that.
And if you think that the Potter series is too long to reread, then you probably have the reading level of a dunce first grader.
Go Team POTTER!!!
To Taelor Ball: Most if not all of your statements seem poorly thought out and not based on a good understanding of the Harry Potter series. This is blatant in your last answer when you say that Harry Potter is not a love story. It is a love story, just not in the usual sense. Not only is it a love but also of dark times and good rising over evil. Tell me a period in time when a country in our world has not been cast in dark times looking for a ray of light. When a time comes that this is not the situation, when the battle of good vs. evil is irrelevant to our world, then Harry Potter's magical world could lose it's affect on people.
I'm sure once a few more vampire series are released, the general public will become over-saturated with Vampires and the Twilight series. Typical love stories like Twilight come along often, but a world like Harry Potter's is unique and genius.
I'm going to have to say that team Potter definitely made the stronger case. My favorite arguments were from Ms. Freeman, and my second favorite were from Ms. Gerber. All four on team potter outshone the twihards.
that one person from the twilight team who kept on saying that harry let his friends fight & sacrifice themselves for him? doesn't she sound a lot like voldemort? i swear, he says the same thing in the final battle in the 7th book. anyways, i didn't like that one twilight debater much; she didn't seem to want to be civil at all.
there is no competition. HP wins by a landslide. their arguments were so much better. with the twilight arguments, i felt like if they could, the potter team could have made a rebuttal to counter it. i hope that harry potter lives on. i'm definitely going to pass it on to my children & i hope that they'll love it enough to share it with others.
Just reading some of the statements from the twilight fans makes it apparent as to which books are for the more intelligent readers...
Jamain... maybe if you read them... gee idk in order then they would make more sense
First of all, to Team Edward on the previous page: How can you possibly compare Twilight to strong, and loved classic as Pride and Prejudice? They are totally different in all respects, most notably for Elizabeth Bennet speaking her mind, and not bowing to Darcy. He never brow-beat her either, for heaven's sake, Bella ceases to think for herself after getting with Edward.
Harry Potter is well thought-out, well written, and every character has a story to be told whether early on, or at a time when helps move the story along. We don't just have two characters getting starry-eyed at one another, if we wanted that we could always read Romeo and Juliet. We have a plethora of characters that you grow with, and you see how their decisions could change their lives.
Honestly, I've read the first book, and remember little. Besides how is getting beaten to the point of massive hematomas all over her body, accompanied by scratches is hot, or loving. Last time I checked that was spousal abus
Harry Potter is way better than Twilight any day. HARRY POTTER!!! rocks!
Harry Potter will become a practically legendary series, maybe a bit liek the Anne books. Twilight will fade into obscurity.
Umm Who the hell let these Twilight debaters in? Their arguements are laughable.
Team Potter's debates were longer, more detailed, and much better. They Win!
I think overall Harry Potter is the better series .Like look at the facts and ignore your love for edward for a bit and read te harry potter part of teh debate and you'll see!
I think the Harry Potter fans gave a better debate, though you all did well.
I especially loved Ms. Annalisa Freeman's debate on this page, I could definitely see that happening.
And Twilight might be more forgettable, because right now, there are a LOT of vampire books coming out from everywhere. And they are all romance ones.
Harry Potter definitely won.
Comparing Harry Potter with Twilight is like comparing Maria Callas with Hannah Montana. Just simple as that. Who do you think will be more remembered? Twilight? Please... *rolls eyes* After the release of the final movie, the fandom will die out. Harry Potter is a huge phenomenoh, something completely unique and original, that got a whole generation(and more, i daresay) to shut up, sit down and read a book. And those people weren't only crazed fangirls or Twi-moms. Sometimes not even kids. For goodness sake, I can't even understand why people comparing those two.
Have you taken note, that, HP's arguments were always significantly longer and richer in context then the Twilighter's paragraph? Three at beat, if I recall correctly through my spasms of laughter at their points of discussion. At the end of this debate, I understand why Twilight is so popular, our pop culture has taught us that sexual love is everything. But in the end, when intelligent beings are analyzing these materials, HP will win. It's just a better story. The only reason I panic about 2012 is that if it is real, HP will be destroyed and something like it might never be created again- but ot hell with Twilight, oh, and Miley Cyrus and Kristen Stewart while we'e at it.
Ms. Annalisa Freeman CRACKED ME UP!! with that joke about the teenage mom and grandmother!! "WAY NOT COOL" lol i totally agree with her and im pretty sure ill be meeting all of you potterheads at the 50th anniversary convention of HARRY POTTER!!! Twilight will fade im sure but then again there is the creepy grandma who is still in love with an un-aging sparkly vampire who is probably STILL (imagine that EWWWW i bet if bella became that old edward wouldnt want her) older than that grandma
I personally was offend by the argument. First of all there where only women debating both sides. I think if you look you will find ALL guy prefer harry potter and so do most girls. Harry Potter is a story for everyone where as twilight is a story for girls with love fantasies. I respect it for that, it get the job done, but it's audience is so focused that it isn't even comparable to Harry Potter. My mom read me the harry potter series when I was five I LOVED IT and still love it. How many of you twihards would have loved this book at five? Harry Potter is for everyone. Twilight is for teen age girls and women from 12-35. Harry Potter is obviously superior, though I respect twilight for doing what it was written to do. If you don't believe me still need I remind you who has the highest grossing franchise of ALL TIME? Or the fastest and best selling book second only to the bible?
Themes in Harry Potter: The bonds of friendship last forever, one must always be brave, sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself for the greater good, love conquers all, there is good and evil inside of all of us, prejudice of all kinds destroy society, and family can be found anywhere.
Themes in Twilight: Anyone who is not white is dirty, uncivilized, and unworthy, suicide is the only option after a bad breakup, women's only purpose is to get married and have children, sex before marriage will kill you, women must be completely dependent on their man, pedophilia is completely okay, all adults are morons, it is completely acceptable for your boyfriend to completely control you, and it is okay to isolate yourself from your family and friends for a boy who abuses you.
Please do not try and tell me that there is any sort of comparison that can be made. Twilight is a despicable series, and I am embarrassed for the deranged women who have made it popular.
I agree with you. Twilight has taught me that, without a man. I am nothing. It is like living in the 1930s-1960s all over again. Hello! Women, we are strong and don't need men. This is the Twenty First Century. Hermione Granger and Ginny Weasley are my heros. They taught me that I can be smart, funny, beautiful, and tough, all without a mans "Helping Hand".
Ms. Taelor Ball, you're argument is a horrible one. If Harry Potter cam out in 1997 and is still to the day very very popular, then it will be around for a long time. And, people still read Dracula to this day because it is about a Real Vampire. Not some Sparkly Gay one. First of all, Vampires do NOT sparkle. Second of all, once the Twilight Movies are other and done with, the books will no longer be popular. People are only reading them, because it is the "In" thing to do. Harry Potter has lasted over 14 years, and is still going strong. Twilight will soon end, and everybody will forget about it. Just like Star Wars, Harry Potter will live forever. And not because he is a sparkly gay Vampire.
I disagreed. But about the Twilight books, I agreed, and so did my mother. There are many books come out like Twilight.... you know, Twilight rip-off and I predicted that Twilight will dim. A lot of people started to realize how bad it is!
And if people still reading Twilight, it's because they want to know how bad they are!
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