The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

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The Hunger Games is the first book that makes up the famous trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. Katniss, the book’s main character, is a sixteen year old girl, who lives in Panem, a country divided in 13 different districts. Each year, a reaping is hold, where every district chooses one boy and one girl to participate to the games. The participants have to kill each other for their survival, and only one person can end up as a winner. Because of Katniss’ ingenuity and strategies, both tributes from her district were able to survive and get through this challenge. This world clearly relates to the reality television in our contemporary world and to the gladiator fights. This essay will analyse the different themes, which are used to convey symbols and messages, that arise throughout the novel. Panem is the country were the Hunger Games is set and represents a dystopian United States as it is divided into thirteen districts under the power of the Capitol. As in America, which began with thirteen colonies ruled by a colonising country: England. Here, there is a very clear difference between the lives of the rich and the poor. In fact, all the richness is concentrated in the Capitol, the wealthiest district, or in other certain districts. Most people in the districts are sevearly underfed, creating discontent within the population, leading to rebellion. An example of this is when Katniss Everdeen hunts illegally in the forest past her district, to be able to bring her family some food: “The woods became our saviour (...) it was slow going at first, but I was determined to feed us. I stole eggs from nests, caught fish in nets, sometimes managed to shoot a squirrel or rabbit”. The sixteen year old, being one of the tributes, experien... ... middle of paper ... ...ar gold token that Katniss wears during the Games to represent her district, which was given to her by her younger sister Prim. It symbolizes a bird in flight, which is generally a symbol itself of freedom, but represents defiance in the novel, together with District 12, so, consequently her family and her community. Hope is what keeps us going no matter how the circumstances are. This is seen in Suzanne Collins book, as people in the districts live hoping that one of their relatives would not get chosen, and if this isn’t the case, hoping that the tribute survives to this terrific event. In conclusion, the themes found in the Hunger Games all portray important symbols and messages that give the book a more interesting and effective outlook. Moreover, it is important to notice how this novel relates to our contemporary world, making it seem more realistic.

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