In today's society, women are often considered "damsels in distress" who are helpless or must rely on a man to save them from difficult tasks. This stereotype is reinforced by television, literature and Hollywood. An article by Salma Yaqoob talks about such stereotypes among Muslim women. She says: “The perception of Muslim women in the West is invariably as…victims” (Yaqoob). Most believe that these women “need to be saved.” Likewise, women are often treated as inferior to men and need their guidance. The famous 18th century work, Charlotte Temple, is an early example of the stereotypical view of the helpless woman; while The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins goes against the grain and attempts to abolish the gender roles imposed by our society, with a strong female protagonist. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The character of Charlotte in Charlotte Temple is portrayed as an innocent and defenseless fifteen-year-old. This character is not simply a fictional girl imagined in Rowson's mind, but represents the women of that time period. Charlotte symbolizes a true young woman of her time and in her expected role. American and European women were uneducated and, “Victims of a patriarchal society…” many “…would seek to demonstrate the intellectual inferiority of women” (Barton). Women were subjected to oppressive patriarchal rule. As a result, Charlotte has been untouched by the corruption of the world and often surprises her mentor, Mademoiselle La Rue, with her lack of worldly knowledge. Charlotte's innocent nature is first exposed after she and La Rue return from a night out. Charlotte says: "...I thought gentlemen were very free in their ways: I wonder if you would have allowed them to behave as they did." La Rue insists that it was Charlotte's folly to expect otherwise and says, "...if your delicacy has been injured by the behavior of gentlemen, you need not go again" (Rowson 18). This dialogue is used by the author to shape the character of both Charlotte and La Rue; one as an innocent, but ignorant young girl, and the other as a woman who is socially adept and very familiar with worldly behavior. Charlotte's female impotence will be revealed later in the novel. Yet it is this helplessness that society has determined a decent young woman should possess, not as an aberrant behavior that the author, Rowson, wrote into the character of Charlotte. Charlotte endures many hardships throughout the novel and is unable to do anything about it. It. He can't help it. She foolishly travels with Montraville to America, who leaves her shortly thereafter. Upon discovering that Montraville has left her, she immediately accepts that she is condemned to live a life in which "...shame, remorse, and disappointed love will henceforth be [her] only attendants" (Rowson 45). He has no idea what to do and often bursts into tears thinking about his misfortune. She sends a letter to her parents, asking for forgiveness for running away, but only after Mrs. Beauchamp tells her to do so. Charlotte is completely helpless. Not only is she unable to save herself, but she is entirely subject to the will of men. Leaving Charlotte, Montraville says to his companion: “It was I who seduced her, Belcour. If it had not been for me, she would still have been virtuous and happy in the affection and protection of her family" (Rowson 54). Charlotte's life is carved by this man and she has no power to change it. Modern readers they would consider the behavior ofCharlotte, because no one in the current era would conceive of a woman behaving so foolishly. Today's readers would not identify with his helplessness or his lack of control over his own well-being. However, this is still the expected role for a woman, to be secondary to men and to depend on men for the happiness and well-being of the female population of society. In contrast to Charlotte's helplessness, Katniss Everdeen is resourceful and fends for herself in poor District 12. “Katniss functions as a subversive character in that she goes against traditional female stereotypes” (Graf). Her character contradicts gender roles established by society and promoted through television and literature. Katniss's father died when she was young and her mother was completely overcome with grief. Her mother did not find a job to provide for the family: "She did nothing, she sat propped up a chair… with her eyes fixed on a distant point" (Collins 26-27). With her father gone and her mother mentally unstable, young Katniss was left to care for herself and her younger sister.” …she did not follow society's expectations of women because she became the caretaker of her mother and younger sister Prim after her father's death. Her role in the family is different from typical expectations” (Brooks). In all respects, Katniss became the mother, and the mother became the child she needed to care for and comfort. Katniss found herself in a “do or die” situation and handled it well. He looked for food to feed his family and sold the excess in exchange for other basic necessities. Rather than turning to a man to save her from misfortune, she takes care of herself without complaint. It is Katniss who offers Prim sacrificial protection by deciding to go to the games in her place. Even when forced to participate in The Hunger Games, she refuses to show weakness or beg for understanding. She takes control of the arena and ultimately wins. Collins didn't do something new by creating an incredibly strong female character. Hannah Blankenship of the University of Idaho Women's Center says, "Women challenging typical gender roles or being perceived as 'tough' is nothing new, but representation of this in society is rare" (Blankenship). Collins's first book was very successful and widely read; however, it doesn't stop after one book. In the final two books of the trilogy, Katniss' strength is tested again and again. She endures the deaths of loved ones, is sent into the arena a second time, and becomes the face of the rebellion. The rebels consider her their leader, once again breaking the mold of gender roles. Katniss leads them to the Capitol gates and leads them to victory. Collins created his heroine, Katniss, to be a strong role model for modern men and women. Society often honors those who fight against great odds, to gain freedom, and this is what draws the reader to Katniss' struggle even though she fights against the social roles of women established by society. The fact that she can hunt and kill both animals and humans, to survive and protect her loved ones is as abhorrent as Charlotte Temple's lack of action, and both authors present shocking and memorable characters. These two novels are very different. The main difference, however, is that one conforms to stereotypes and the other breaks away from them. Charlotte Temple creates a fairly typical female character. She makes bad decisions and as a result must be saved by a smarter, stronger man. She's a helpless damsel in distress. The Hunger Games, on the other hand, features a female character.. 2013.