I recently succumbed to the trend and read the Hunger Games Trilogy. I saw the film in theatres before I read the book. My first impression was that it was good. I enjoyed it, was entertained, admired some of the performances, and that was about it. The more I thought about it afterwards however, the more disturbed I was by the violence and, what seemed to me, the disregard for the sanctity of human life. I read the books in the hopes of discovering the authors true intentions behind this bloody and violent series, marketed for young adults. I also just wanted some light summer reading to distract me from the bigger issues of life, ugh.
Ok so, if you haven’t read the trilogy or seen the film, here’s a quick summary. Die-hard fans please skip this because I’m sure I won’t cover all of the details you consider so essential to your survival as human beings.
The story takes place in the country of Panem. It is the only country/civilization mentioned in the book, so it’s basically their whole world. Panem is a futuristic North America, after several natural disasters changing its physical characteristics and many wars changing its politics. So we’re left with 13 districts, and one Capitol which is the seat of political power. District 13 rebelled and was annihilated by the Capitol. Every year the Capitol holds the annual Hunger Games, taking a boy and girl between the ages of 8 and 18 (is that it? I can’t remember) from each of the 12 Districts, shoving them in an arena and making them fight to the death. There is only one winner. The people of Panem are forced to watch The Hunger Games on televisions as it plays out live before their eyes.This is to remind the districts that they are powerless against the Capitol, and any repeat of rebellion will result in the death of those they hold dear.
The districts produce materials mostly for the consumption of the Capitol, including coal, electronics, food, etc. The Capitol is where the privileged live. Its citizens are obsessed with cosmetics, undergoing all manner of treatments, tattooing, and surgeries in the name of fashion. They eat and eat then just throw it up. They are dying of diseases but stay alive with the aid of modern medicine. A society which revolves around pleasure, the people of the Capitol worship the tributes of the Hunger Games as their celebrities. They are obsessed with watching the Hunger Games unfold, betting on their favourites, and even helping them by sending gifts. Winners of the Hunger Games are rewarded with a life of ease and fame.
Sound familiar?
Let the Capitol represent Western culture: we, the privileged, killing ourselves with kindness. More than half of our diseases are a result of our own mistreatment of our bodies. Our health care is burdened with caring for people who have knowingly damaged their own bodies. If someone is unhappy with the way they look, they need only pay the fee to change. While we are on the pursuit of pleasure, the underprivileged are providing us with commodities and dying of starvation, not unlike the districts of Panem.
Reality tv. It has taken over. We watch people starve themselves, destroy their marriages, give birth to babies, get arrested, do drugs, intervene, lose themselves to win a title, and so much more all just for entertainment. That is all. Just entertainment.
We put weapons into the hands of our children and tell them to have fun.
It’s just a game. It’s on a screen. It’s not real. And we are sacrificing them with our neglect.
Where is this leading us?
Regardless of the authors intentions in writing the Hunger Games, I definitely think it will make people question our society and where it is headed.
More tomorrow on who my favourite characters are and why!
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