The Hunger Games

Have you ever imagined to be put into a prison with other 23 people and to win your freedom you have to kill the others? Only one survivor will be declared a victor and gets abundant and generous rewards at the expense of those deaths. It will be easier to kill in self defense but to kill an innocent and unarmed child is definitely brutal. Yet, when it is deemed a necessary price to gain such liberty from what it seems to be an endless agony and misery, it is likely most people will pretend to be deaf and blind and just go for the killing. I think that’s what occurs in such places like in the huge slum prison such as Gaza. In fact, reading the book in a way reminds me of people in Gaza who are imprisoned by the authoritarian governments, and divided into so many humiliating check points. Often, when people are being pushed into the most extreme circumstances in which the only visible hope for freedom is to kill, people tend to be blind of the other options or alternatives. It’s the most basic survival instincts in the predatory world, “to kill or to be killed.” After two days of absorbing the book, I would say it’s quite a great book to read. Reading The Hunger Games can lead to interesting discussions about our own world and how reality shows, threats of war, fights to get justice, authoritarian governments and obsession with fashion trends influence us daily. Such game can be easily related to today’s present situation, let’s say in the third world countries, where such game is prevailing because of the superpower dominance over the overall economic system and politics. Or you can easily relate this game to your workplace context when some employees compete for the one and only available job opening in higher rank position. If you pay close attention, you can identify and relate them with the characters in The Hunger Games J. Due to the darkness of the story, it is best suited for adults rather than teens. The book is rich in discussion points not only about governments, personal freedom, and sacrifice, but also about what it means to be yourself and not submit to society’s expectations.


Among the characters I like best in this first novel of Suzanne Collins’ Trilogy is Rue, a twelve year old girl who is defenseless and her only main purpose is to stay alive by hiding out, staying away from the other tributes (those who are selected by the Capitol in the twelve districts to fight to the death on live television in Panem). I love the main heroine, Katniss Everdeen, but I like Rue best. Tears well up in my eyes to learn Rue’s most heartbreaking death. She doesn’t want to kill. She just wants to stay alive and makes friends like any other normal kids. Yet, the Gamemakers in their cruelest ways force these children fight to the death solely for the amusement of the Capitol. The people of Capitol, the capital of Panem, are immune to such barbaric show mainly because they are accustomed to watch such horrors. It's like watching repeated horrors, and when you get used to it, gradually you will think it as normal. They get entertainment from it. They are the rulers and the twelve districts are their prisoners, inferior and weak. They should always be reminded of their place, that they have no control over their life. What is more agonizing that seeing your children age 12-18 fight to the death for the bread and butter for their districts? The most heartbreaking scene is when Katniss fails to rescue Rue from a tragic death, a spear piercing through her body by the boy from District 1. The readers feel a suffocating emotion to hear Rue screaming in agony and how Katniss in the end makes her first direct kill by shooting arrow at the boy’s neck in futile attempt to save Rue. We shed tears to see how Katniss gently takes Rue in her arms and sing the melody until she slips away. To show her rebellion Katniss puts some flowers over Rue’s body. When they are supposed to kill one another, Katniss and Rue, on the other hand develop friendship and tenderness. It is regarded as action of defiance, an act of rebellion. No such thing goes unpunished.



The Hunger Games is the first novel of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games Trilogy followed by Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. The Hunger Games takes place in a nation known as Panem after the destruction of North America by a horrible apocalyptic disaster during the Dark Days. Panem consists of twelve surrounding, poor and deprived districts under the rule of the authoritarian government in the wealthy Capitol. Each district has its own specialty that benefits the Capitol, such as coal mining, agriculture, fishing, explosives, etc which function to sustain the Capitol. Each district stands isolated by electrified high fences, and therefore people in each are unable to communicate. It’s the way the Capitol controls their life in maintaining its hegemony. While the people in these districts are in constant hunger due to the strict control of the government, the people in the Capitol contribute little to their own sustenance and are concerned mainly with the latest fashions and amusements. Hunger, fear, and total surrender are the main bread and butter in these deprived districts. Peacekeepers and a local government are instituted in each district, but the rulers in the Capitol have strict control over everything and everyone in each district. District 12, where the book begins, is located in the coal-rich region that was formerly Appalachia.



The Hunger Games are an annual tradition created by the Capitol rulers to commemorate the annihilation of the rebellious act of District 13. Formerly, there is District 13 in Panem. When this district rebelled against the Capitol, it was wiped out with nuclear bombs. The game is not only to amuse the Capitol citizens, but also to preserve control over the districts by demonstrating the Capitol's dominance. It is a constant reminder what will happen if any district rebels. Each year called as the Reaping, the twelve districts are forced to select two representatives, a girl and a boy, age from 12-18 to participate in the Hunger Games. The first reaping for these kids is when they reach the age of 12. The parents should send their names to the ballot which will be drawn from the box on the Reaping day. A kid can resend their name again to get a teserra to obtain a ration of grain that is given in exchange for placing his/her name in the lottery for the reaping, the ceremony that determines who will be the district’s representative in the Games. Each time a kid exchanges his/her name for the teserra, his/her chances of being the one whose name is called increase. Due to hunger, some kids resend their names each year. Therefore, within each year, their chance to get selected is growing bigger. After passing the age of 18, will any be freed from the games. These representatives are called “tributes” to make people believe that representing their district is an honor, even though parents and children alike live in endless fear that someone they love will be chosen. The entire nation must watch as these 24 tributes battle each other to the death until only one is left as the victor. Having a victor is important to a district because extra food and a few luxuries will be granted to the victor's district. The government has created the ultimate reality show, complete with technological challenges and constant monitoring of the movements of the participants. And each citizen is required to watch the Games until their conclusion, which may take hours or days. It is a cruel game forcing children to hack one another and bleed to death.



Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen lived in District 12 with her mother and 12 years old sister, Primrose Everdeen. Since her father got killed in a mining explosion, her mother drawn into a relapse, leaving Katniss alone to provide for her family. She despised her mother for this abandonment, yet she still loved her. When she was 10 and things got worse, she was confronted with most desperate moment in which her family’s survival was at stake. Peeta Mellark (the baker’s son) showed her kindness by throwing her some loaves of breads. For this act, he got bruises all over. It was his kindness that lingered on her mind. It was a favor she would never forget. It was the first time she met him before got reunited when both were selected for the games 6 years later. It was Peeta who inspired her to stand on her feet again to feed her family. With her skills in bow and arrows, she illegally went for hunting beyond the boundaries of District 12 and used the game she killed for food or for barter. In the woods, she met Gale who became her best friend and hunting partner. Gale was also the sole provider for family. He was good at traps and nets. They have also survived because both signed up for the tessera.



When Prim turned 12, the family went for the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. So far, only one victor came from District 12. Consequently, this district was considered a weakling and the most destitute of all. Prim was the only sister Katniss loved above all others. She was only 12, quiet, loving and on her way to being a healer. Despite her scarce chances to get selected, Prim’s name was called. It turned Katniss’ world upside down. Prim would not be able to survive the games and Katniss knew this. To save the one she loved the most, Katniss immediately volunteered to take her place as a tribute from District 12 to the Hunger Games. She knew she had better chance to survive the odds compared to his little sister. The boy who got selected was Peeta which shocked her even more. He made her life as a tribute became more complicated because she knew that now her survival would mean his death. How could she kill the only person in the whole world whom she owned a favor from? Katniss and Peeta must fend for themselves against natural elements, the Gamemakers and the other contestants whose only option is to kill or be killed.



Katniss is whisked away from her family and Gale with Peeta, to the Capitol, where they were prepped and primped to participate in the Games. Before leaving, Madge, the daughter of the councilor of District 12, gave her a mocking jay pin for a good luck token. They were mentored by Haymitch, the only tribute that District 12 has had who was a winner in the Games. But Haymitch was a reluctant and seemingly inadequate mentor at the beginning, so they should rely on their own strengths in order to survive. It was not until they proved their worth, did Haymitch promised to be their reliable mentor. Before, they were air crafted to the game arena; they were prepared by their Prep Tem led by China. They were also got some training where they learnt about their opponents from other districts. Tributes from District 1,2, and 3 (the favorite of the Capitol) were blood lust, others were just like them. One in particular attached to both was a 12 years old, Rue, from District 11 specialized in agriculture. Rue reminded Katniss a lot with her sister. It was during the game; she got to know Rue better and formed an alliance with her. She had the urge to protect her from harms. And the pain stabbed her like a dagger when she failed to save Rue’s life. Katniss’ hatred towards the Capitol accumulated. It was a cruel heartless game. She was determined she would not yield to the Capitol.

Overall, I enjoy reading the book. The language is simple. The characters are drawn in simple black and white type…almost minimum in grey characters that make readers can easily engage with the story line. The constant suspense kept me turning page after page within two days. I love the protagonist – Rue and Katniss – the whole thing about the bow and arrow. I find the love triangle is a bit cliché, but I love how Katniss takes control over her life, not just a girl who is madly deeply in love type of character. She is strong-willed, independent, and smart. Like any good story, I am immersed in the universe built around by the writer. I know it is not real but I can't stop reading. Sadly, yesterday I failed to collect the second novel in my favorite store. The books are sold out L. I have to satisfy myself jumping reading the thirdJ.