essay

113projecttext_fall2013_1.docx

Project Text: Essay Assignment

For the third paper, I want you to choose an issue or theme in the film The Hunger Games, explore it, using the film as the “text” you are analyzing. You should engage with the ideas in the film, not simply tell me what happens in it—I’m expecting examples and brief quotes, not plot summary. I am also expecting research that will link this book to a modern-day issue.

How do the issues we see in Katniss’s world exist and function in our own world? Even though The Hunger Games is fiction, what can it tell us about issues (like war, love, gender, entertainment, inequality) that exist in our world today?

Here are just some of the themes and ideas in the text:

1. War—many people have talked about this book as a story of war, where people have to fight for their own survival. There are alliances, betrayals, and death. Is The Hunger Games primarily a story of war for adolescents? What is the story trying to say about war and violence?

2. Love—while we may not know if Peeta really loves Katniss, or if Katniss really loves Peeta, we do see love and hope as huge aspects of this story. You can argue that the book is ultimately a love story, but can it also been seen as challenging ideas about romance and love stories in young adult literature and film?

3. Reality television and entertainment—Many people have observed that the book can be seen as a critique of “reality television” and modern forms of competitive entertainment. Do you see the film as a challenge or warning about “reality tv”?

4. Rebellion—you can talk about the story as a story of rebellion and fighting back against what is forced upon these characters. How does this connect to so-called “teenage rebellion”? Do young adults respond better to stories about rebellious characters? Is Katniss truly a rebellious character, or is she a reluctant rebel pushed into her rebellion by circumstances?

5. Economic Inequality—lately, everyone from politicians to Occupy protesters have been talking about how wealth in our country is extremely unequal. “The 99% vs the 1%” is a phrase about the idea that the top one percent of Americans (in terms of wealth) control about 42.2 percent of total financial wealth in this country. How can this be seen as similar to society in Panem, the fictional country where Katniss lives? Is The Hunger Games a warning about extremely unfair distribution of wealth in our own society?

Obviously, you may write about any specific aspect of the film, not just the ones above. For example, you could consider the inversion of the stereotypical gender expectations through the characters of Katniss and Peeta, or examine the power of fashion as seen through Cinna’s dresses and how the capture the attention and send a message to the fashion obsessed citizens of the Capitol. What did you find interesting or fascinating as you watched the film or read the book? Look a little deeper into the things that interested you and you may find something worth writing about!

Basic Essay Requirements:

The essay must be at least 1000 words (more is better) and must be written in size 12 font Times New Roman, with 1 inch margins on all sides. Use MLA format for all citations and annotated bibliography.

The Project Text Essay must include an Annotated Bibliography