We’re planning to build an online book club to salute these books. If you’re interested in participating, add a comment to this post, and I’ll send you the information!
For me, I loved book #2, Catching Fire, the best. If you’ve read Ender’s Game, The Giver, or 1984 you will like The Hunger Games books. Now, read on for Kevin’s take on this dystopian society.
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NOTE: The below contains multiple plot spoilers. If you have not already finished The Hunger Games trilogy then this probably isn’t the post for you. However, if you have finished all three books, then I welcome your thoughts on my review.
One of the first things anyone says about The Hunger Games book series is that it is very addicting. From the beginning you are thrown into the world of Panem, and are immersed in the strange names, rules and social norms that are essential to the story. The vivid descriptions of the brutality of the Capital are epitomized by the “competition” that comes from the title The Hunger Games. Every year each of the 12 Districts ruled by the Capital have to send two children (called tributes) to fight to their death until only one child remains as the victor. These games are barbaric in design and also in execution, since they are televised in a way that would remind some people of March Madness. As a reader, you are introduced to the games by the narrator and first person perspective of the District 12 tribute, Katniss. The defining personality traits of Katniss are her problem with authority, protectiveness of her family, naivety of people’s emotions and ultimately her ability to survive. How she uses these personal traits helps make her an inspirational character in a world devoid of many role models.
The fact that Panem felt completely foreign wasn’t much of a surprise considering the unique nature of the world. However, what was not expected was that this dystopian world also felt relatable. One of the main analogies that I took from the series was how the world of Panem related to corporate culture in America. The Capital could be a stand in for corporate headquarters in the same way that the individual offices represented the Districts. Also, while there weren’t any reapings or Hunger Games in corporate America there are earnings reports (broadcast for everyone to see) and furloughs/lay-offs. It might be a stretch to make that comparison, but I saw some parallels.
Anyway, that was one thing I took away from the book, but the other main themes I found prevalent were the importance of context, luck and intelligence as well the examples of sacrifice and the commentary on reality TV. Below is each theme in a little more detail.
Importance of Context
Most of the characters act as you would expect based on the situation they are in, whether the character is in the Games, in the streets of the Capital or in the District. Their actions are a direct result of their surroundings. When “kill or be killed” is the context, then it isn’t surprising when kids act like blood thirsty maniacs. However, the author does a great job with the main characters, who do not conform to the behaviors you might expect based on the context. When a character zigs when they are supposed to zag, it helps reveal an important moment or personality trait. One of the main characters, Peeta, talks about this in the first book on the night before he is supposed to enter the arena. He describes how he wants to die in a way that shows that the Capital hasn’t changed him. Despite the context of a brutal arena, he wants to stay authentic to himself. This was a powerful moment in the book because it is one of the few examples of someone being aware of how their surroundings affect them.
Importance of Luck
This one seemed the most obvious of all the themes. Katniss had the bad luck of growing up in District 12 and watching her sister, Prim, get picked for the Hunger Games. However, she also had the good luck of escaping death numerous times throughout the books. That leads to another theme of the book, and that is managing luck. Katniss was one of those characters, who often seemed to have the wrong side of luck, but through determination and persistence she was able to survive. Other characters weren’t so fortunate. Luck’s fingerprints were all over the book as Collins seemed to be saying that no matter what you do, sometimes things don’t work out. The last example of the importance of luck in the books has to be the Hunger Games catchphrase “May the odds be ever in your favor.”
Importance of Intelligence
The tributes in the Hunger Games did not have the Capital upbringing and most of them weren’t trained for the competition. However, so many of the characters showed remarkable intelligence despite being in a high stress environment. Katniss was certainly clever in how she competed, but one can also look at Foxface, Beetie and Peeta as well. Each one of them had skills they learned in day to day life and were able to utilize in the arena. It would have been a much different book if the Hunger Games focused more on strength and athletic ability. Those both were worthwhile attributes, but it seemed clear to me that the most important characteristic to survival was intelligence.*
*That being written, I have some reservations about Katniss intelligence. She seemed to be oblivious to many things, such as Gale and Peeta’s romantic feelings towards her. Also, her rational mind seemed to wilt when she was agitated. However, she did have some very intelligent moments and lest we forget she is 16 years old in the book. Was Katniss intelligent? I would certainly put her behind Gale and Peeta with one of them showing incredible analytical skills (Gale) and the other showing great interpersonal skills (Peeta). I would say that yes she was really smart and that maybe the only reason I am thinking she might not be is because the book was written from her point of view. First person allowed us an insight into her doubts, questions and insecurities. Sometimes people (myself included) equate doubt with a lack of intelligence, but I don’t think that is generally or in this case true.
Examples of Sacrifice
The story starts off with a great sacrifice story as Katniss steps in for Prim to compete in the Hunger Games. Considering there was a 96% chance (23 out of 24) that Katniss was going to die, then it is clear she was giving up her life in order for her sister to life. After that moment there are many other examples of people sacrificing themselves for others. The main beneficiary of this was Katniss, who had people like Peeta, Mag and Finnick willing to give up their lives in order for her to live. As the Mockingjay, she was the symbol for the cause to defeat the Capitol. The rebels wanted her to survive, and they readily sacrificed themselves to save her.
Commentary on Reality TV
Quoting Wikipedia “Collins says the idea for The Hunger Games came from channel surfing on television. On one channel she observed people competing on a reality show and on the other she saw footage of the Iraq War.” This was a constant theme as every aspect of the Hunger Games was televised and how acting was considered such an important part of survival. Also, the propos introduced in Mockingjay were considered highly critical to the Rebel’s success. Reading the book, I could almost hear certain people say “perception is reality.”
Other thoughts on The Hunger Games:
- What happened to the rest of the world? Asia? Europe? Does the Capital talk to them? How does Panem relate in the global world?
- Was Prim’s death at the end necessary to the plot? I know that plenty other people had died, but that was the final straw that solidified that the there was going to be no happy ending to the Hunger Games. The main character failed her primary goal in keeping her family safe. Maybe that was the point that there was no happy ending in a place like Panem.
- Rue’s death was probably the most compelling part of the book. Her character occupied only a small part of the overall trilogy, but she was critical in the plot and the themes.
- I was angered by the Quarter Quell in Catching Fire, since a 2nd straight Hunger Games for Katniss seemed a little excessive. Also, the vote at the end when President Coin suggested the Hunger Games for the Capital kids was ridiculous. I didn’t believe for a second that these victors would vote yes after having gone through two Hunger Games.
- The ending of the final book saddened me – the trio of Katniss, Gale and Peeta was broken down to a duo and a solo. The fact that a choice had to be made, and that Gale made it for Katniss made the conclusion bittersweet.
