Difference between revisions of "The Hunger Games"

Revision as of 13:09, March 27, 2012

The Hunger Games is a series of novels by Suzanne Collins, with the first volume written in 2008. The plot follows the life of 16 year old Katniss Everdeen, a resident of Panem (Post apocalyptic North America), who is forced into a gladiatoral combat by the fascist government of Panem, a successor state of the USA.

A film version of The Hunger Games broke US first weekend box office records in March 2012.

Plot

The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic North America, after some unrevealed catastrophe causes the government of Canada and the United States to collapse. Panem, is composed of "a shining capitol, ringed by thirteen grateful districts". The protagonists hail from District 12, located near the Appalachia today. District 12 mines coal, and is a relatively poor district. As punishment for an earlier rebellion, the Hunger Games are imposed upon the citizens, who must send 1 boy and 1 girl to the capitol every year, to fight to the death. In the story, Katniss volunteers for her 12 year old sister, to take place as tribute to the capitol. Peeta Mellark reveals his undying love for Katniss during the games itself, and due to public opinion strongly opposed to killing the "star crossed lovers", a rule change is implemented, and both tributes survive, to the chargrin of the Capitol, who views it as a poorly hidden rebellion. Afterwards, Peeta is heartbroken when he learns that Katniss's actions in the arena were part of a calculated ploy to earn sympathy from the audience.^[1]

Characters

• Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist of the games.
• Peeta Mellark, Katniss's lover
• Haymitch Abernathy, their state sponsored mentor
• Primrose Everdeen, Katniss's sister
• Madge Undersee, Katniss's friend
• Gale Hawthorn, Katniss's (at the time) boyfriend.

Political Themes

In an interview with Collins, it was noted that the books tackle issues like severe poverty, starvation, oppression, and the effects of war among others".^[2] Suzanne Collins compared the story to modern society, with western nations as the Capitol, whose nation building schemes blow up in the faces of the "districts" (other nations), who must support the capitol with cheap labour, resources, etc.^[3]

Critics

The Hunger Games has been well received, with major book critics giving it favorable reviews. A common grievance was the "poor copyediting, which was distracting to readers."^[4][5]

References