Hunger Games

‘The Hunger Games’ is set in a post apocalyptic dystopia called Panem - established in what was previously North America. The wealthy Capitol controls the lives and resources of the twelve surrounding, poorer districts, into which Panem is split. Each year a boy and a girl from each district, aged twelve to eighteen, is selected to fight to the death in an arena. The rules are arbitrary, however there is only one that stands throughout the games - kill or be killed.

The main issue that Suzanne Collins “tackles” is the Capitol’s abuse of power. Because the Capitol holds most of Panem’s wealth, it is able to control every district. The Hunger Games is the Capitol’s way of showing that it has complete power over everyone and it is used to discourage the people of Panem from creating another rebellion against its government, after which the Hunger Games was born. “Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch - this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy.” – Katniss Everdeen

“...I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not. I keep wishing I could think of a way to...to show the Capitol that they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece their Games." – Peeta Mellark. I love this quote because it really shows that he isn’t going to give into the Capitol’s power. He is going to be true to himself and stand by his morals. And with the massive amount of power the Capitol holds, I think this is a very brave thing for him to say. Although this relatively small gesture of rebellion compared to Katniss’, it is still his way of showing himself and the Capitol that he isn’t going to be another piece in their Games.

“That is mahogany!”– Effie Trinket. This quotes shows that she cares more about the wellbeing of fine woodcraft than the fact that she is a piece in a game, in which children fight to their death. Collins outlines that Effie is really not a...