Hunger Games Reflection: A Critical Analysis of the Capitol's Control
For my second quarter book report, I read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, originally published on September 14, 2008. This book is set in the country Panem, in which is District 12, The Capitol, and the arena. The significant history is eloquently stated in the film version of The Hunger Games. "From the Treaty of Treason: In penance for their uprising, each district shall offer up a male and female between the ages of 12 and 18 at a public "Reaping". These tributes shall be delivered to the custody of The Capitol. And then transferred to a public arena where they will Fight to the Death, until a Ione victor remains. Henceforth and forevermore this pageant shall be known as The Hunger Games. " The novel follows the main characters, Katniss and Peeta, as they navigate this oppressive system and struggle to survive. This Hunger Games reflection essay will analyze the societal issues and themes present in the novel, such as government control and oppression, survival, and the effects of violence on society.
Considering that this was my second time reading The Hunger Games, I'll have to say that I love the book. It was inspiring and very engrossing. The storyline was well thought out furthermore the message of survival and political hunger was very clear. The way that the characters found little but effective ways to rebel showed that it is possible to stand up against modern injustices without harming anyone or anything. “ If Peeta and I were both to die, where they thought we were…“ (Collins 344) A few important themes are survival, love, and government corruption.
The main characters are Katniss Everdeen, Peeta Mellark, and President Snow, who represents the entire government. Katniss is described as being slender with black hair, grey eyes, and olive skin. Peeta, on the other hand, is of a medium height, stocky, blond, and has blue eyes. President Snow is small in stature, has white hair, snakelike eyes, and he is said to smell like blood.
The book starts out with Katniss’s sister, Prim, being reaped and Katniss volunteers in her place. During an interview, Peeta says that he has always liked Katniss and they are now known as the star-crossed lovers which Haymitch plans to use to their advantage. At the start of the games, Katniss nearly dies from thirst. She soon finds out that Peeta is working with the career tributes. Towards the end of the games, the game makers decide that two tributes from the same district can both be victors. “Under the new rule, both tributes from the same district will be declared winners if they are the last two alive. ”(Collins 244) As a result, Katniss rushes to Peeta and heals him. Once Katniss and Peeta are the last two alive the game makers revoke the earlier statement of two victors and say that there can only be one. Katniss and Peeta decide to rebel and eat poisonous berries, but the game maker stop them and allow there to be two victors.
I believe this book was very well written and there were little to no things I believe that could’ve been done better. One major thing that irritated me was that the actual games started so late in the book. For reference the games start on page 147 out of 374 pages. “Ladies and gentlemen, let the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games begin!” (Collins 147) One of my favorite things about this book was how the characters interacted, specifically Rue and Katniss. My favorite part of the book is when Rue dies and Katniss soothes her as she dies. “ I move in closer to her, pulling her head onto my lap. I gently brush the dark, thick hair back behind her ear. ” (Collins 234) I believe this writing is very effective because I know for a fact that it has a very large fan base full of people who are very dedicated to the idea of peaceful rebellion.
The Hunger Games left a very lasting impression on me, sometimes I will just get a random urge to re-read the book. One thing I hope that other readers take from this book is that not everything is what it seems. Some people, who you think may not notice you, may take note of your entire presence and you could be changing their life, or some things may be corrupt and it’s up to you to point them out and start to fix them. I would most definitely recommend this book to everyone because it doesn’t matter who you are this book will mean something to you. You could be the ruler of the world for all I care and the message you get from this could be to not rule with an iron fist and to do what is actually best for the people.
