English Homework for ( Puja )

Khaled Shaban

Professor: Donna Marsh

ENGL 113B-SI

3/23/14

E 2.3

The Hunger Games Book Analysis

The Hunger Games Book by Suzanne Collins is a science fiction narrative based on the metropolis of Panem. Lauded for its excellent storyline and protagonist development, Collins’s novel can at best be described as an exemplary work of literature. Critics, however, are quick to point out that the writer does nothing more than describing the action. This analysis will look at critical aspects of the novel, including literary devices, setting, themes and social implications.

Symbolisms, Imagery, Allegory are prominent in the book. First, the Thirteen Districts represent diversity in the regions and all are ruled from the capital. This depict a set up similar to what American history has gone through. During the colonial era, a huge part of North America was split into thirteen colonies that reported to the British Empire. Just like in the Hunger Games, colonists in the region supplied goods to the people in England and often set rules, regulations and restrictions on the colonies (Hibberd, 2013). Both thirteen districts of Panen and original Northern colonies have been subjected to a tyrannical system of government. Time will tell whether the thirteen districts will clamor for independence like the earlier colonies.

Second, the image of mockingjay is certainly an exceptionally powerful and imperative weapon (Collins, 2010). A mockingjay is a hybrid bird from earlier species that used during the colonial era to do espionage or carry information work but with time evolved and learned to carry tunes, to repeat songs and melodies. The pin symbolizes a being with own spirit. Just as hybrid had broken free of capital control, they depict the incapacity of the Capitol to implement their power over other and hence the birds are symbol of resistance and rebellion.

Thirdly, the tracker jackers, just like the mockingjay, represent a mutant creature that the Capitol has formed to check the districts. They symbolize Capitol's readiness to do anything to uphold their power over Panem and its inhabitants. In the reality television, the trials in the arena are similar to Panem's adaptation of Survivor. Contestants are compelled to fight to the death and events televised across the nation as sport. In these Games, image is very important. Hence, it becomes hard to tell reality and otherwise (Collins et al, 2008). The reality television perspective is quite important in a broader frame (Heller, 2012). They bring about a reflection on the difference between brutal human sacrifice and broadcasted entertainment and in this case, they are blurred. The poorer regions snub the games since they do not have the resources to win tributes. They become a depiction of suffering and sacrifice. The games reminder districts of their weakness, poverty, deprivation and subordination to the Capitol.

Fourth, food is in plenty in the capitol. There is a lot of lamb stew, orange chicken and cream sauce in the narrative. Food symbolizes wealth, Food symbolizes affluence, plenty, and comfort. The Capitol has plenty of food showing that the residents are consumers (Collins et al, 2008). They insensitively and wastefully consume plenty of food, in the same way they carelessly use the lives of districts residents. Food is often scarce in the districts where starvation is a real threat. Dandelions are little flowers that symbolize hope. Upon seeing the flowers during a starvation spell, Katniss appreciated that she will manage to provide for her family with supplies collected from the forest. Katniss turns them into her family's provisions what others may consider useless. This is a reminder as well as a lesson in resourcefulness that optimism springs eternal.

Rue's Flowers are used by Katniss covers the body Rue (after death) with flowers to symbolize Rue’s humanity and an accolade to her short life (Collins et al, 2008). She is worthy of respect, esteem, and mourning. Covering Rue with flowers is an intense act of rebellion against the Capitol. The experience because of Rue's death inspires Katniss to win the Games and represent a demonstration to the Capitol that the districts cannot be stripped their humanity. Finally, Peeta and Katniss decide to use “the Double Suicide” to deny the Game makers a winner by downing poisonous berries in a double suicide effort. This master strategy allows Katniss and Peeta to survive and beat the games since the Game makers alter the rules and declare both as winners. The double suicide endeavor represents rebellion and Katniss continue to fear punishment from the Capitol.

Panem and the Capital are the two main setting of the narrative. Panem emerges after several disasters such as storms, war, droughts and fires. Katniss and her people live in the poor residence of District 12 where the black market thrived, coal-miners resided and worked (Collins et al, 2008). The area bordered by a sometimes-electrified fence from woodlands depicting typical settings similar to modern days. The district number 12 poor conditions are often compared with the affluence of the Capitol to show disparity as is present in the real world. The Capitol represents a shining, wealthy and grandeur location. The residents are shallow, speak in a different accent and often value surface impression and entertainment. The Capitol people see the games as entertainment but the district people despise the place. These types of views and ways of lives are typical of today’s world hence the setting can easily represent any location in the world (Canar, 2009).

The author of “The Hunger Games” envisions a world that is a complete nightmare. The repressive and totalitarian administration of Panem has substantial influence of the residents’ lives and makes them undergo cruel and appalling experiences that are broadcasted on national television (Collins et al, 2008). This approach gives the novel a dystopian essence where life is full of hardships and tribulations. It is common to find similar experiences in the modern context where societies continue to leave under repressive leadership and governance. The Hunger Games title can be analyzed literally and figuratively. Literally means the use of a word's exact meaning. The Hunger Games are competition held annually by the administration of Panem as a reminder to districts that revolt is a bad idea. Representatives from the districts fight each other in an arena to death. It is a government's way of creating awareness and a show of the power. Figuratively, the Hunger games represent something beyond the surface meaning. Katniss's situation in District 12 is much of a scramble or competition to stay alive against hunger, scarcity and starvation. In this narration, there are no televisions, cameras, winners or losers; hence, it is not plainly a game. The District 12 depicts or very much represents an arena (Collins et al, 2008). The repressive administration control Katniss district and its people in a similar manner the Game makers manage her in the arena. Despite that, Katniss is not playing any real sports game, her whole life and that of other Panem residents is very much a depiction of a figurative Hunger sport. The Hunger Games Ending concludes with a powerful message to the people mainly those oppressed. The novel concludes with Katniss and Peeta embarking from the train in District 12 having just won the Hunger Games. The two contemplate facing possible punishment due to their rebellious actions. In order to avoid it, they hold hands for the cameras at least one last time. It is now clear to Peeta that Katniss does not quite love him while on the other side, Katniss is now aware that Peeta loves her very much.

Power is a strong theme in the book. Main source of power is the despotic government of the Capitol. Due to consolidation of wealth in the Capitol, the government is able to command the Districts. The Games are the ultimate representation of the administration’s power that acts as a deterrent measure against rebellion. It is all figurative of how the Capitol stops people in the districts from combining forces and rebelling. The Games make the people in the districts divided. Although this book is, equally about ways to oppose repressive power the authors does not particularly emphasize the power that masses in the districts hold (Collins et al, 2008). The districts are increasingly powerful in regards to driving the economy, provision of production inputs and collective powers. They may have other ways of fighting back such as the cover of Rue’s body in flowers in rebelliousness that can be very powerful.

Society and Class depicts those who have and do not have and it suffices strongly in the novel. The Capitol is wealthier than all other districts although some districts are more advantaged. Hence, they see the Hunger Games as a way to attain glory and fame. Katniss's district, (District 12), never stands an opportunity in the Games and as such view, it as a form of punishment that deprives them of their children (Collins et al, 2008). The narrative overemphasizes the power of money and wealth that is not always the case in real life. Love is a battle zone and in the Hunger Games, relationship can present a great technique to endure on the battlefield.

Strength, Skills and personality is highlighted in each candidate has own set of skills and strengths. Katniss is incredible with a bow and arrow. She has a deviant streak that astounds the game makers in training sessions. This depicts similar scenarios in life where there are diverse skills and strengths. In Hunger Games, image is everything. Katniss learns that manipulating her character and image could be a powerful thing and hence she embraces it. Many people today tend to manipulate who they are and tend to worship celebrity status.

Politics is a strong theme since the citizens are subjected to autocratic and hence absolute power over its citizens. The citizens have utterly no say about governance including voting and elections. Rebellion is not condoned and the game is meant to communicate that message. Many people in different societies endure considerable struggle in voicing or speaking their mind. Sacrifice is prominent and the Games are full of sacrifices. For example, Katniss makes an immense personal sacrifice by taking her sister's position in the Games. Katniss and Peeta make sacrifices for each other at the conclusion of the Hunger Games by popping berries and they are willing to die together. Sacrifices have huge implications since show that human life is important. In a reality entertainment such as the Hunger Games, it can be a very powerful aspect (Flavorwire.com, 2012).

Although brilliantly plotted, perfectly paced and allegorically rich, the book on occasion does not recognize the allegorical prospects that the plot has to present and that the text "expressed the action and little else”. The book has displays of authorial laziness that children will acknowledge more gladly than adults will and that the love triangle was average for the genre (King, 2008). The poor copyediting in the earlier printing may divert careful readers.

The message encourages people to be optimistic in life and never give up easily just like Katniss. The lessons in the novel are about hypocrisy and class warfare. The Hunger Games has been somehow misdirected due to its inability to spur much emotion as would be expected from child murders.” The story may depict how kids feel regarding the competitive strain of high school; or as an allegory for capitalism, with its frightening work market and winner-take-all culture (Spisak, 2008). Some of the characters in the novel are barely known and are seen brandishing weapons. Questions about existence of Katniss and Peeta’s friends, enemies and some of the mystification are because of ineptitude of the work. The violent in the work is unpleasant especially when exposed to children.

The story essentially concerns the oust of a repressive regime wherein resources are confined to the elite at the cost of an oppressed majority (Margolis, 2008). The book depicts a socialist revolution set around the redeployment of resources and provides a window of what the society aught to be. In this respect, the book has an allegorical appeal where it draws a parallel involving certain base features of the society and likely outcome if those features remain unchecked. The Hunger Games resonate with the stories of power as a symbol for modern society where moneyed elite enrich themselves.

References

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evidence-of-hollywoods-cynicism. Retrieved 17th March 2014. http://flavorwire.com/426001/are-the-hunger-games-films-radical-social-critique-or-just-more-evidence-of-hollywoods-cynicism/

Green, John (2008). Scary New World. The New York Times. Retrieved

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Heller, J. S. (2012). The Hunger Games. Law Technology News 11-13 (June 2012).

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