High expectations

This week I watched The Hunger Games with my niece. I have read the books but I'm going to say up front, it's been a while (year and a half?). Anyway, I enjoyed the series--well, enjoyed may not be the right word, but you know what I mean. However, there were some people I know who didn't really like the last book, Mockingjay, because Katniss just wasn't the strong superhero overcoming all the odds that people expect.

I will admit that the third book has a very different feel to it. And no, she doesn't come off as the stereotypical heroine who never lets life get her down. But I don't think that is a bad thing. Because how many people are like that? And how many of you that have had a very hard challenge (or challenges, which is the case for a lot of people, unfortunately) appreciate a heroine that knows that life is hard and sometimes, enduring is a heroic feat? I sometimes feel like the heroine who is never stressed or teary or worn out with all the hardship is pretty shallow. I know that I get worn out by how hard life gets sometimes, and while I try to be the kind of person who always comes out on top, I also know that it's not that easy.

So, yes, I think Mockingjay is not what we expect or even necessarily look for in our heroic protagonists. But I don't think that is bad. I think there is value in showing that there are different types of heroism.

I also think that Mockingjay highlights the clash between Katniss's personality and what circumstances have forced her to become. Katniss was never very comfortable with attention, and never signed up to be an icon, and Mockingjay is all about Katniss the icon. The other books show us Katniss the survivor, which is her strength. Now the story is about Katniss the image, not Katniss the person and that changes things.

Now I feel like I should have this brilliant and witty conclusion (my english and lit teachers ruined me for life--I still cannot write anything without including some kind of conclusion!) but really I guess the moral of this post is that comparing books is fun, but sometimes it is interesting to weigh a book in the context of its characters and plot, rather than other characters and plots and such. The end.

An almost biography

A month or two ago, my sister was telling me about a book she heard about on NPR. This book was about introverts, and from my sister's description, and what I read on NPR, I really wanted to read this book. So I got my hands on Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain, and it was worth the read. I'm always a little wary of books like this, and try to take them with a grain of salt (I don't know why--maybe because I don't like to feel like I have to fit someone else's characterization of me, I like to feel like I decide my personality. Who knows. Just a hunch). Anyway, this was a really insightful book. Very validating for an introvert, and at the same time, it didn't paint the issue in black and white. It was nice to feel understood, and also to feel like, even though I am a behind the scenes kind of person, I can accomplish great things, and that I have talents that other don't. The book also helps build understanding between introverts and extroverts.
Anyway, what I learned is that it is totally okay that I find being an part of an audience one of my talents. And it's wonderful that there are people who like to do things that need an audience, so that I can develop that talent. It is terrific that there are different types of people, because we all have our niche, and I think this book just helps us know how to get along better.
So, if you are an introvert, it will help you understand how to better contribute, and if you aren't an introvert, it is great to help you understand us introverts, because we may be kind of confusing. And if you fall somewhere in between (because there are all types of people out there--yay!) you'll get the best of both sides. It's an easy, enjoyable read, and has a lot of great insights for anyone interested in people.