Posted on 03/15/2012 7:45:47 AM PDT by SampleMan
My 13 yr old started reading the Hunger Games series and I picked up on the underlying theme of personal liberty, as she was telling me about it. I decided to read it this last Saturday, so that I could discuss it with her in depth.
I just finished the third and final book of the Hunger Games series and I think everyone here needs to know about it. It is a strong and powerful presentation of the evils that follow placing group needs above individual liberty/dignity.
It’s aimed at kids and is wildly popular with young teenagers. Freepers need to read this series and be able to discuss it in-depth.
I put this in the same category as Orwell’s 1984 and the Gulag Archipelago, accept written for a 13-18 yr old.
I’m not going to run through the plot, but it is a portrayal of the evils of subordinating personal liberty/dignity to the needs of the group. And it makes it clear by the end that it doesn’t matter what the intent of the government is, the effect is the same if the means is the same.
The end result of marginalizing the individual is demonstrated (not stated) throughout the series.
I have no idea what the movies will be like, except that I just can’t see Hollywood telling this story without changing the underlying plot, so you must read the books to help spread the message. You need to read this, so that you can intelligently discuss it with friends and family, and perhaps counter Hollywood’s take. (but I hope it goes over their heads and they just follow the books).
My recommendation to all fellow Freepers is read these books, and then buy them for you your children-grandchildren.
No sex, no profanity. Violence is brutal and harsh, but not gratuitously described.
In my opinion, it is suitable for most kids 12 and up, but not if they’ve had personal trauma/loss or are emotionally less mature.
My liberal sisters reading this right now.I may have to point out how her ideology is similar to the government controlling the food supply.
Starship Troopers, if you listen to the idiots commentary he equates the government in that movie to what he was seeing happening in the US, and what he saw as a child. Not in regards to liberals, but what conservatives were doing. Idiot couldn't equate being a "citizen" to what being a "citizen of the world" that libs espouse.
Equilibrium they made it emotions and art as victims. What two better characteristics of focus for liberalism are there? The government there was given religious overtones. Funny when you consider so much of the great art in history has been created for religious purposes. Somehow it is okay to have a big government that is theirs.
My point was just to let the adults here know that the book is through the eyes of a 16-17 yr old girl. Yes, it is very much a good read for adults, as well.
I thought the writing was simpler (no bad) than books aimed at adults, and there is no profane language. Sex is only discussed matter-a-factly, not graphicly, e.g. “He was sold to the highest bidder to satisfy their appetites...”
Read the series and just gave the first book to my oldest so he can read it before the movie comes out.
The writing was simplistic (written for teens) and in the first person. But it was well done considering it’s not Tolkien.
My only gripe is that the actors in the previews don’t look like I thought they would... whoever did the casting was trying to get Twilight movie look-alikes. And the people from the Capitol don’t dress as freaky as I had envisioned.
I read all three when they first came out and my sons were into them. Loved them all.
Interestingly, my younger son just finished reading it again (this time for school) and he commented on the socio-political aspect of the books. He said it is really cool how he is noticing the higher level ideas now. When he was younger it was just an action/adventure book. I sure hope the movies follow the books. She is such a rebel.
“—I have no idea what the movies will be like, except that I just can’t see Hollywood telling this story without changing the underlying plot—”
Well since Woody Harrelson is in it...I know I won’t spend a dime on it
Easy -
Seperation of Church from State.
If you are free from the State - you are free.
You might - instead - reflect on why you would think it should be there.
My two boys have devoured these books. I’ll have to read them. My oldest son and his Robotics team are primed for the midnight showing on the release night.
Sort of a team tradition.
Read the books and enjoyed them (although, I feel that the third book could have been twice as long. I felt that the author rushed through it, especially the ending).
Another important theme to this book that is quite obvious is that their government has absolutely no value for human life. Seeing that the setting was based in the future it wouldn’t surprise me that their devaluing of human life began in the womb. Sound familiar?
Would you suggest them for a 12 year old girl and an 11 year old boy? We are careful to monitor what they watch and read.
Sounds interesting.
Starship Troopers was definitely an interesting read. The book was much better than the movie.
My daughter has read the trilogy - and thought they were
great.
She is 24 years old, and told me she thinks I should read
them as well.
I had just steered my sister away from The Hunger Games for my then 11 year old niece. That was bases only on a quick read of the synopsis of the story. It just did not seem appropriate for that age. Based on your warnings for emotionally less mature 12 year olds, I think I’ll stand by my recommendation. Its sad what a divorce does to the emotional well-being of a young child.
I would not suggest them for a 12 and 11 year old. It’s a bit violent and emotional (without giving away the story, and this is explained early on in the book, of course: the basic premise is an event where a bunch of teenagers enter an arena and fight until only one remains).
“You might - instead - reflect on why you would think it should be there.”
You might, instead, reflect on why you are so quick to post a snide comment. Who’s talking about a state religion? You?
Quite possibly. Hey, Lord of the Rings first became wildly popular when hippies fell in love with it.
With its message of duty, honor and sacrifice, it is about as contrary to the hippy ethos as can be imagined.
I’m not sure that comment was meant as snide.
The total lack of God was one of the elements in creating the totalitarian nature of Katniss’ world.
However, one could surmise that the morality that still came through had to come from somewhere, and that ‘somewhere’ would be the Holy Spirit.
The godlessness of the books is peculiar to me. And it ruins the ending, I decided today.
It would be impossible to erase the idea of divinity from the human mind. As long as people can look up into the night sky, they’re going to wonder who arranged the stars.
But all mention of God, even in language, is absent. This is intentional, and it’s what makes the end of the trilogy so unsatisfying.
Perhaps you've missed the point of the books. The story isn't about redemption, its about being irrecoverably damaged. Its survival, not triumph. Triumph is possibly an option for the next generation.
What form do you suppose God takes for North Koreans who have known nothing but the Kims from infancy? And that regime has only been in place for 60 years.
I think the stark absence of a practiced religion is a strong statement completely in keeping with the underlying tone and hopelessness of the story. Totalitarian regimes aren't big on competition.
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