WHAT GENDER CHARACTERISTICS, NORMS, AND ROLES MAY BE REPRESENTED IN THE THREE POPULAR YOUNG ADULT NOVEL BOOK SERIES HARRY POTTER, TWILIGHT, AND HUNGER GAMES?

Abstract

This dissertation research project explores the areas of gender characteristics, norms, and roles as may be interpreted by young people through the reading of the three popular young adult book series Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games. Louise Rosenblatt states that readers of text interact with meaning at either a conscious or subconscious level. With this in mind, knowing that young people are bombarded by gender characterizing information, my research strongly supports the need for students to be taught how to be aware and think and read critically concerning gender messages in literature so that he or she may determine to participate, support, reject, or accept the gender roles, characteristics, or norms being presented to him or her with intent.