A comparison of war and violence in <i>Harry Potter</i> and <i>The Hunger Games</i>

  • Isabelle Laskari Deakin University

Abstract

Both JK Rowling's Harry Potter series and Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games trilogy present stories of war for young readers. Both present the action of war directly and then, through the device of the epilogue, raise the personal consequences that follow for the heroes. However, at this final point, they take markedly different approaches to those personal reactions. The ways in which each novel deals with war, violence and the outcomes provides a clear statement of the distinction between children's and young adult literature.

Author Biography

Isabelle Laskari, Deakin University
Isabelle Laskari is a writer from Melbourne, Australia. She completed a degree in journalism at La Trobe University and is currently studying for a Master of Arts (Wrinting and Literature) in Children's and Adolescent Literature at Deakin University. She enjoys writing, singing, teen TV, children's & YA literature, drinking tea and having imaginary conversations with the Brontë sisters.
Section
Jabberwocky