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
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