Character development.

Taryn Bradley

The Woman of Twilight

             Authors Note: This piece is about how characters develop in books and why. Bella is a quiet girl and she learns to become a strong opinionated woman with help from her catalyst, Edward. I decided to also relate it to hunger games because Katniss is much like Bella in each series. 

The Twilight series is one of the most popular books of the decade. Something about vampires, werewolves, and love intrigues a book and movie lovers mind. Not only is the series about mystical creatures but a girl developing through each book. Bella, the main character is quiet, shy, awkward and a bit cold. She kept to herself throughout her first year at a new school. Several boys drooled over her like a shiny new toy but she was only interested in one boy, Edward Cullen. A quietly gorgeous vegetarian vampire that cannot keep him  himself away from Bella. Through each book they fall deeply in love and end up married with a child, while the Volturi (rulers/most powerful vampires in the world) is on their heels.  

This shy naïve girl transforms to a gorgeous women. Not only was this a physical change though, her personality played a big part in this development. She became strong; ready to knock anyone down that got in her way and a little more fun to be around.  For example in the first book (Twilight) Bella was silly enough to fall for the tricks of a ruthless vampire, meeting him at a ballet studio across the street from her old home. By the end of the series Bella has become more sharp about her actions and can put things together that others intend for her and only her to know.  Such as, in Breaking dawn she is able to read the clues Alice has left for her. Bella learns why Alice left and what she needs to do to keep her family safe. Bella is now able to think before she makes decisions that might affect the people around her and learns to defend herself.

           

Although Bella changes in a big way she has had someone to influence that change. Her vampire husband Edward. Which I would consider her catalyst. Without his love she would have never encountered vampires or even turned in to one. She would stay that innocent, painfully awkward girl tripping in to each day unnoticed, except for the few gratifying boys at school. He has changed her life for basically eternity.

                

Just like in the Hunger Games series a boy changes the girl. Katniss is a stiff, serious, emotionless, down to business girl. She goes in to the annual live killing fixture referred to as, the hunger games. Two people from each district (1-12, 1 being the wealthiest and 12 being the most poor) between the ages of 12 and 18 get thrown in to a vast piece of land, locked in until everyone brutally murders each other. Once one lone tribute stands they win the games and never working another day in he or she’s life. Both Katniss and Peeta were chosen to be tributes in the Hunger games. Both realizing they’ve come to the probability of death. But Peeta gives Katniss a reason to live and teaches her to love again. Just like Edward, being her catalyst. So once she returns home as a victor along the side of Peeta she finds herself stuck between her two loves, Peeta or Gale (childhood friend). Similar to Bella with Jacob and Edward.  Katniss finally starts to live again and become more bubbly and outgoing, as did Bella after her falling for Edward.

              

As you can see character development play a large part in the plot of every book. A small character can easily influence and be the catalyst of a strong independent women. For some it just takes a little love.