Posted on 03/22/2012 2:59:53 PM PDT by NYer
The movie version of The Hunger Games debuts on March 23, 2012. What follows is a review of The Hunger Games Trilogy by author, Suzanne Collins.
**Spoiler AlertThe plot is discussed here in detail for parental benefit. The level of detail is to help facilitate a discussion with your child even if you have not read the series.
Parents want to know who their children are spending time with, what music they are listening to, and what movies/television, etc. they are exposed to. When it comes to reading material, many parents do not have the time to read what their children are reading, especially as their children get older. But parents still have a responsibility to guide their children through the potentially hazardous territory of modern young adult literature.
When I was raising and home educating my four children, I was disappointed that reviews of new literature from a Catholic viewpoint simply did not exist. And since two of my four children read far above grade level, they often went foraging into reading material that I considered beyond their maturity level. For example, when I first heard of Harry Potter and began to discuss whether or not the series was suitable reading material in our home, my nine-year-old piped up that she had already finished the third book! In light of that experience, when I recently heard of a popular new series, I decided to read it and write a review as a help to other Catholic parents.
The Hunger Games Trilogy is a science fiction series by Suzanne Collins. It is categorized for young adults, which means its recommended for children as young as twelve. It is quickly following in the footsteps of the Harry Potter series in terms of popularity. Scholastic Press published the first book of the trilogy in 2008 and the third and final book in 2010. While all three books have been on the best sellers list, the third book topped all U.S. bestseller lists upon its release. Since it has already been translated into 26 different languages and the rights have been sold in 38 countries, theres a good chance your child has heard of this series and may already have read at least one of the books.
The Hunger Games is a futuristic, sci-fi series that draws heavily on themes of violence, war and power. It is set in the dystopia created by the Capitol, the ruling class that satiates its own pleasures at the expense and oppression of the 12 Districts. The Districts, which are made up of the working class, provide the Capitol population with everything it needs to continue its own survival and remain in power.
The story commences with Panem, the country that emerged from the civil war ruins of what was once North America, preparing for the annual Hunger Games. The Games are televised live and are mandatory viewing for every citizen in the nation. They were instituted as a punishment for the Districts attempted rebellion against the Capitol years ago. Every year each of the 12 Districts must provide one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen who will fight to the death on live television until only one child is still alive. The Games exist to remind the people in the Districts that not even children are beyond the reach of the Capitols power.
In the first book of the series, The Hunger Games, sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen lives in the extremely impoverished
District 12 with her mother and younger sister Prim, whom Katniss loves more than anyone in the world. Katniss father was killed when the mine, the main industry of District 12, collapsed. Katniss mother, handicapped by grief and depression since her husbands death, has not been able to care adequately for her two daughters, so Katniss has taken on the role of provider and protector. Katniss is clever, resourceful, and creative, but she shuns other people beyond her own family members and her one friend and hunting partner, Gale.
Gale, who lost his father in the same mining accident, also is the provider for his family. One way he keeps his family fed is by hunting small game illegally in the woods beyond the borders of District 12. Gale teaches Katniss to hunt. He also teaches her survival skills, which become very valuable as the story unfolds.
This year, at the time of the reaping, when the name of one boy and one girl is drawn to see who will fight to the death, Prims name is called. Without hesitation, Katniss steps up to take Prims place, for she cannot bear to see her gentle little Prim be the first to die. The boy called to fight is Peeta, a young boy from Katniss class at school. Peeta once gave Katniss a bit of bread from his fathers bakery, and was punished for doing so. This small act of kindness kept Katniss family from starving.
As Katniss readies herself for the Games, she says her farewells to District 12. To Katniss surprise, a girl from her class runs up and pins a gold brooch on her outfit. It is a small circle of gold, and in its center, there is a bird holding an arrow. This becomes an important symbol later in the story.
Peeta and Katniss are now the two tributesthose chosen to fight to the deathfrom District 12. Unbeknownst to Katniss, Peeta has loved her since they were very young. Haymitch, their trainer for the Games, has Peeta and Katniss play up this love story, in hopes it can be used to their advantage. But there can be only one victor, one person who will survive at the end of the Games. The remainder of book one weaves the intricate story of how each of the tributes in the Games die, until only two are still alivePeeta and Katniss.
Though Katniss has mixed feelings for Peeta, she has worked hard in the Games to keep him alive. Shockingly, at the conclusion of the Games, Katniss outwits the Capitol; she gives Peeta poisonous berries and they both eat them, leaving no victor. But as soon as the television cameras pan out, Katniss and Peeta spit out the berries. They both survive and Katniss has forced the Capitols hand. The Capital must declare, for the first time in history, two Hunger Games winners.
Book two, Catching Fire, picks up where the last scene in book one left off. Katniss and Peeta are now honored citizens, living in luxury with their families in Victors Village in District 12. Though Katniss decision to save both herself and Peeta at the conclusion of the Hunger Games was not premeditated, but rather an act of survival, Panems leader, President Snow, is suspicious. He believes Katniss is a subversive and orders her to a personal meeting where he threatens her family and cousin Gale. Katniss is still unaware that her simple act of defiance in the Games has led to unrest in the many of the 12 Districts.
When the laws for the Games were laid out, the Capital dictated that every twenty-five years would be a Quarter Quella special edition of Hunger Games. This year is the third Quarter Quell and as a reminder that even the strongest cannot overcome the power of the Capitol, President Snow declares that this years reaping will be from among the previous years winners. Since Katniss is the only girl ever to have won the Games from District 12, she is, by default, the female tribute. And Peeta is once again, the male tribute. The remainder of Catching Fire tells the story of Katniss and Peeta in their second Hunger Games, which conclude with another twist the reader least expects, one that makes Katniss a clear enemy to the Capitol. Additionally, District 13 is discovered, a District thought to have been completely destroyed in the civil war, and its infrastructure is completely underground.
Book three, Mockingjay, is the story of the Districts all out rebellion against the Capitol. A mockingjay is a genetically modified bird species created by the Capitol as a spying weapon to be used against the Districts. But this plan backfired and the Districts were able to use the mockingjays against the Capitol. It turns out that design of the brooch that Katniss has now worn into both Hunger Games is also a mockingjay. And because of Katniss independence and ability to survive two Hunger Games, it has now become the symbol of the Districts rebellion against the Capitol.
Book three commences with Katniss becoming the embodiment of a mockingjay, the living symbol of the rebellion. The Capitol has firebombed District 12 in retaliation for Katniss earlier actions, and as a response to the rebellion in other Districts. Gale was able to rescue about 10% of the population of District 12 by taking them to the Meadow in the woods where he and Katniss used to hunt.
Among the survivors are Katniss mother and sister Prim. They, along with the rest of the survivors are welcomed into District 13, to be looked after by the citizens there.
The remainder of book three tells the story of the full-scale battle between the Districts and the Capitol. It is filled with surprises and twists, heroism and betrayaland violence and death. When it is all over, the Capitol is defeated, but not in the way the reader would expect. Katniss still must choose between Peeta and Gale, the two young men in her life. She is well aware that both of them love her and each has risked his life for her. In the final paragraph of the book, Katniss comes to the realization that the person she needs most is Peeta, though she had always thought it was Gale whom she truly loved.
The Hunger Games series is full of intrigue and excitement. Collins imaginative writing style, and her ability to create suspense to draw her reader in make these books the kind that will keep readers of any age up reading all night. That being said, The Hunger Games series is one that some Catholic parents, myself included, may not want their twelve-year-old reading. The narrative pits children against each other in a fight to the death. The descriptions of death and mutilations are quite graphic and may be too lurid for sensitive readers. The series also contains a number of adult themes, which I will discuss in more detail later.
There are positive aspects of the story such as Katniss being a Christ-figure as she risks her life to provide for her familys daily food and when she offers to fight in Prims place. Although Collins paints a dismal, futuristic picture of our nation, it can give young adults an idea of what our world could look like one day. If the United States continues on its present day path of self-gratification, situational ethics, and excesses of all kinds, the picture Collins paints may not be all science fiction. And the current state of chaos our nation is in, as it is led by duplicitous politicians, looks eerily like that of the world of Panem. Additionally, the series gives the reader an insight into the extreme low to which reality TV could one day reach. Considering how perverse reality television has already become, televising real people dying for entertainment may occur sooner than we realize.
There are also historical parallels between ancient Rome and Panem. In the world of Panem, the Circus Maximus of ancient Rome is now an arena where children are the gladiators fighting each other to the death. The citizens of the Capitol, like the ruling class of ancient Rome, indulge themselves with whatever they desire at the expense of the working class. And the overarching story line in the series is one of war and peace, which parallels not only Rome but also the current state of affairs in our world today.
Finally, I created a table (following) of Themes and Discussion Starters for parents to use with their children who are reading the series. It is not exhaustive, and I invite readers to add to it. But I did want to touch on some of the concepts presented in the series so you can have a meaningful discussion with your child, from a Catholic point of view, if you choose to do so.
Theme | Discussion Starter |
Nihilism/society without God | Panem is a godless society, so where do the books characters develop their sense of right and wrong? What gives them hope? |
Self-sacrifice | Katniss offers her life for her sister, Prim, much like St. Maximilian Kolbe did in the WWII concentration camp, and Peeta gives Katniss bread even though it will lead to him being punished. How are these actions Christ-like? |
Chastity | Peeta loves Katniss, and they spend a number of nights together in the same room/bed, comforting each other. They remain chaste, that is nothing happens but it a good idea for a young man and woman to share a room and/or bed, even if they are committed to chastity? |
Perseverance | Neither Katniss nor Peeta gives up fighting no matter how injured or tired they are. Why is this a godly attribute? |
Creativity | Katniss and Peeta use creativity to maneuver the many difficulties they face. Creativity is part of what it means to be human and is one way we are made in Gods image. What are other ways? |
Bodily Mutilation | People in the Capitol take piercing, tattoos, etc. to an extreme and consequently, some no longer look human. Discuss what the Church teaches about bodily mutilation. |
Human Trafficking/Prostituion | President Snow trades a very attractive young male tribute for sexual favors to get what he wants. This is one issue that parents need to decide if/when their child is ready to discuss this and how they want to approach it. |
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) | The Capitol has genetically modified many organisms for evil purposes. The mockingjay is an example of a GMO that got out of hand. This is a hotly contested topic in our own world right now. Is it morally acceptable to alter life? Where do we draw the line? |
Situational Ethics/Relativism | If there is no god to guide citizens of a world, each person decides what is right or wrong for himself. Many people in our world do just this. How are we as Catholics different, and how can we know right from wrong? |
Killing | Katniss and Peeta do not want to kill the other tributes but must do so out of self-defense. Why does every human life have value? |
Power | The Capitol retains all power and wields it over the 12 Districts. Where do power and authority originate? There are many things a parent and child can discuss along these lines. What are the ways our government acts like that of Panem? |
Love | Peeta has loved Katniss since they were very young. He tries to keep her alive, even if it would mean his own death. Is this Christ-like love? |
Jann FritzHuspen has been a Secular Franciscan for twenty-five years. She successfully home educated her four children then went back to school to earn a Masters degree in Communication. Now she is helping to home educate the next generation. Her favorite subjects are language arts, science, and art.
Jann is an Associate Editor for Catholic Lane and compiles the The Book Browser.
Ping to the parents!
12 patients... enough funding to treat only one... Game On!
looks like prepping the kids for a zombie apocolypse,,,,
It's not just for kids. It's a great, thoughtful read.
This movie depicts the way “Survivor” should be played. 200 go in, only one comes out.
When Survivor 1st came out my friends wanted me to audition. Told them it wouldn’t be fair. I’d take my Kbar with me and by the first morning I’d be the winner.
LOL
Thank you for this. I read the series and enjoyed them. I also found that the Capitol residents remind me a lot like celebrities in the music and film industry. Self absorbed and looking wackier and wackier everyday.
“Katniss and Peeta do not want to kill the other tributes but must do so out of self-defense. Why does every human life have value?”
Peeta never kills anyone. Foxface steals some berries he didn’t know were poisonous and dies, but that’s it.
Why suddenly do I feel like the Star Trek fan who knows what wearing a red shirt on the show means?
OK I read this and it sounds really stupid, as well as violent and offensive.
Children oppressed and fighting to the death, and the ending of book one sounded really dopey, too.
And the book is all about how each one dies? That’s great entertainment for kids.
Foxface is a girl.
There, now you can feel like less of a nerd. :)
(and I know about the redshirts too)
>>’go occupy yourselfer’ vs the ‘1%’ nonsense<<
They came out long before any of that.
It’s more the story of communism and runaway government.
*Peeta* didn’t know they were poisonous (`nightlock’). Of course, neither did FF or she wouldn’t have eaten them. Remember, she was stealing from the `careers’ too: her `weapon’ was stealth.
Now I’m an uber nerd. Thanks for that .....
Misc. graffiti
“My Mother made me a prostitute!”
“I have some yarn. Can she make me one too?”
Books read. Tickets purchased.
Id take my Kbar with me and by the first morning Id be the winner.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Not so fast...being one that sleeps with ‘one eye and 2 ears open’, and know that life itself isn’t fair and not expecting the people in it to be, I would only hope that I was #198 or so as you would have done most of my ‘work’ for me......<: <:
Ok thanks for the input, I was even more suspect because of just how much the movie is being hyped up, and Hollywierd only hypes up things they like... maybe they have turned the movie into what I fear..
My oldest son gave me Battle Royale to watch since I gave him Hunger Games. BR is rated R, so wondering if it’s much more graphic than HG (which is pg-13).
It is also one of the most right wing work of fiction I have ever read. It may have been accidental on Susan Collins' part, but it is all pro-individual over the totalitarian collective. It is a novel of rebellion against oppression. And, yeah, it's violent.
THANK YOU!
Read the book, seen the film (loved it!), one of Kinji Fukusaku’s greatest movies. As far as I’m concerned, Battle Royale is vastly superior on every level.
Battle Royale asks the ultimate question: could you kill your best friend? Someone you’d grown up with since childhood? Someone like a brother or sister to you?
From the point of view of putting it’s characters in impossible moral dilemmas, Battle Royale is the champ. Hunger Games is a pallid imitation.
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