Hardship, Humanity and The Hunger Games
Set almost a century in the future, The Hunger Games, published in 2008 by Suzanne Collins, follows narrator and protagonist Katniss Everdeen in the oppressive, dystopian society of Panem. The annual Hunger Games, a competition in which twenty-four teenagers are forced into an arena to murder each other, is televised as entertainment to each of the twelve districts and the Capitol and is finally completed when a single victor remains alive. The protagonists Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark of The Hunger Games retain their humanity through their morality, their relationships and their response to injustice. Humanity itself allows one to think critically and base one’s actions on morals instead of being …show more content…
Everdeen realises that although the boy had killed Rue, she has allowed herself to cower to the Capitol and participate in their sick competition for complete control, therefore agreeing that the Games are justified. She realises that in that moment, she did not do what she believes is ‘right’ and had consequently lost some of her innocence. Near the conclusion of the Games, she also demonstrates her humanity towards Cato: “Pity, not vengeance, sends my arrow flying into his skull”. (Collins, pg. 414) After “listening to Cato, moaning, begging and finally just whimpering as the mutts work away at him” (Collins, pg. 412) Everdeen cannot withstand his pain any longer and chooses mercy over brutality, or simply being a bystander to suffering. This is in stark contrast to the Capitol who created the situation for the entertainment of Panem in the first place. Everdeen’s actions do not require love or compassion, merely a shred of empathy for those in pain. She shows how humanity and morals exist in her and how they should exist in Panem. The male protagonist, Peeta Mellark, also demonstrates his morality and beliefs in the novel but specifically before the Games begin. He explains: “I want to die as myself... Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to ... show the Capitol that they don’t own me”. (Collins, pg. 171-172) Mellark understands …show more content…
While the Capitol deliberately creates injustice among Panem’s citizens and even forces children to murder each other, the protagonists demonstrate compassion and love to others, regardless of the personal cost. As one of the most defining moments early in the novel, Everdeen volunteers to enter The Hunger Games for her sister Primrose. Everdeen, fully aware of the dangers of the Games but out of absolute love, is prepared to sacrifice her life for Primrose, one of the most humane acts anyone can commit. Following Everdeen’s volunteering, the District Twelve audience does not cheer or applaud as is expected of them but remain silent and raise the middle fingers of their left hands in tribute to Everdeen: “They take part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage... which says we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong”. (Collins, pg. 28-29) Collins’ use of simple words and phrases such as ‘we do not’ in this passage explain the situation very clearly and therefore encourage the reader to believe that the reaping and entire society is unjust and corrupt. Despite the Capitol’s attempted dehumanisation of Panem, the audience demonstrates how they can never truly be reduced to apathy or brutality and neither can Everdeen. The primary relationship in The Hunger Games however is that of Mellark and Everdeen. Throughout
Set almost a century in the future, The Hunger Games, published in 2008 by Suzanne Collins, follows narrator and protagonist Katniss Everdeen in the oppressive, dystopian society of Panem. The annual Hunger Games, a competition in which twenty-four teenagers are forced into an arena to murder each other, is televised as entertainment to each of the twelve districts and the Capitol and is finally completed when a single victor remains alive. The protagonists Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark of The Hunger Games retain their humanity through their morality, their relationships and their response to injustice. Humanity itself allows one to think critically and base one’s actions on morals instead of being …show more content…
Everdeen realises that although the boy had killed Rue, she has allowed herself to cower to the Capitol and participate in their sick competition for complete control, therefore agreeing that the Games are justified. She realises that in that moment, she did not do what she believes is ‘right’ and had consequently lost some of her innocence. Near the conclusion of the Games, she also demonstrates her humanity towards Cato: “Pity, not vengeance, sends my arrow flying into his skull”. (Collins, pg. 414) After “listening to Cato, moaning, begging and finally just whimpering as the mutts work away at him” (Collins, pg. 412) Everdeen cannot withstand his pain any longer and chooses mercy over brutality, or simply being a bystander to suffering. This is in stark contrast to the Capitol who created the situation for the entertainment of Panem in the first place. Everdeen’s actions do not require love or compassion, merely a shred of empathy for those in pain. She shows how humanity and morals exist in her and how they should exist in Panem. The male protagonist, Peeta Mellark, also demonstrates his morality and beliefs in the novel but specifically before the Games begin. He explains: “I want to die as myself... Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to ... show the Capitol that they don’t own me”. (Collins, pg. 171-172) Mellark understands …show more content…
While the Capitol deliberately creates injustice among Panem’s citizens and even forces children to murder each other, the protagonists demonstrate compassion and love to others, regardless of the personal cost. As one of the most defining moments early in the novel, Everdeen volunteers to enter The Hunger Games for her sister Primrose. Everdeen, fully aware of the dangers of the Games but out of absolute love, is prepared to sacrifice her life for Primrose, one of the most humane acts anyone can commit. Following Everdeen’s volunteering, the District Twelve audience does not cheer or applaud as is expected of them but remain silent and raise the middle fingers of their left hands in tribute to Everdeen: “They take part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage... which says we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong”. (Collins, pg. 28-29) Collins’ use of simple words and phrases such as ‘we do not’ in this passage explain the situation very clearly and therefore encourage the reader to believe that the reaping and entire society is unjust and corrupt. Despite the Capitol’s attempted dehumanisation of Panem, the audience demonstrates how they can never truly be reduced to apathy or brutality and neither can Everdeen. The primary relationship in The Hunger Games however is that of Mellark and Everdeen. Throughout