So, in addition to writing, I absolutely LOVE reading. If I'm not reading, I'm writing. If I'm not writing, I'm reading. What can I say? I love literature!
Anyway, I wanted to start talking about some books I've recently been reading.
This time it's The Hunger Games.
I know this series is extremely mainstream and I'm not a fan of that. I don't like reading books that are extremely popular among mainstream teens but hey, the books were pretty good. Definitely not the greatest plot line but I did quite a bit of reading between the lines and discovered many underlying themes and symbols that I wish to share.
I feel like most people who say they are "diehard Hunger Games fans" are only movie fans and have never read the books. If you know who Madge Undersee is, you may continue reading. If you don't know who she is, you might want to leave because this post will contain spoilers from the books.
The basic storyline of The Hunger Games series is this:
Post-apocalyptic America. Destruction. Uprisings. Governmental control.
After a huge uprising by the nation against the government, mass genocide happened. America was split into 13 Districts. The new country is called Panem. Each District was given a specific job (i.e. mining, technology). District 13, however, was different. They began experimenting with nuclear bombs and such. The people of District 13 lead an uprising again the Capitol (the tyrannical government control).
War ensued and the Capitol realized they better leave District 13 alone. District 13 went underground and nobody heard from them for years.
To show the people who was in charge and to prevent another war from happening, the Capitol started the Hunger Games. Now, the Hunger Games place 24 tributes (2 children, one male and one female, from each of the 12 districts) in a specially designed arena. These children must fight to the death until one tribute remains. This happens every year.
Now, Katniss Everdeen (the main heroine), Peeta Mellark (side hero), and Gale Hawthorne (even more side hero) are all from District 12. Katniss hunts illegal game outside the district limits to feed her mother and sister. Peeta works in the district bakery (which I don't understand because nobody can afford it). Gale works in the coal mines.
Peeta is chosen to be the male tribute for District 12. Katniss' younger sister, Primrose, is chosen but Katniss volunteers to take her place.
Let the games begin.
In the arena, Katniss and Peeta are the two remaining tributes. The game makers had announced that two tributes could triumph if they were from the same district. Katniss and Peeta are thrilled, until the game makers announce that the new rule has been revoked. They refuse to kill each other, but someone has to die. Katniss gives Peeta and herself some poisonous berries to eat. Just before they eat the berries, the game makers say yet again that two tributes may be Victors.
Katniss and Peeta are dubbed Victors and life goes on, right?
Not exactly.
President Snow (obviously the president of Panem) is not happy with Katniss' actions in the arena. He believes Katniss' actions against the Capitol's rules will encourage the districts to start an uprising. He confronts Katniss about this, but to understand why, let's examine the books' love triangle.
Katniss loves Gale. Peeta loves Katniss. Peeta confesses his love for Katniss on national television. Katniss realizes that she can no longer be with Gale. Gale gets upset...understandably.
Haymitch, Peeta and Katniss' Games mentor, suggest they play on the 'love' between the two tributes. This is raise more support from the people. Thankfully, it worked. The people fell in love with this 'couple'.
Now, President Snow doesn't believe that Katniss and Peeta are truly in love because he knew about Gale. He tells Katniss that unless she convinces the districts that her act was not against the Capitol, her family will suffer.
In the second book, it is the seventy-fifth Games. This means it is a Quarter Quell. The Quarter Quell brings a twist to the Games. This year, Snow announces that the tributes will be picked from the surviving tributes. Peeta, Katniss, and Haymitch are the only surviving tributes from District 12. Haymitch's name is drawn, but Peeta volunteers to take his place.
Do you see what Snow is doing? What a tyrant.
To try to convince Snow that her act wasn't intended to go against the Capitol, Katniss tries to convince the president that she simply could not live without Peeta and would rather die. To do this, Peeta and Katniss announce that they are married. The people are ecstatic.
Before each of the Games, the tributes are interviewed on television. When Peeta is interviewed, he announces that Katniss is now pregnant (which is false). The people are horrified because they don't want to see Katniss go into the arena now.
Unfortunately, Peeta didn't know what President Snow threatened Katniss with, so his announcement only made matters worse.
Fast forward to the third book.
Lots of things have happened but I unfortunately cannot explain it because it would take hours to write it all down.
However, I can explain a few key points.
Plutarch Heavensbee, the Quarter Quell game maker, and a team from District 13 were planning an uprising against the Capitol. When they saw Katniss' actions in the first games, they decided she would be the Mockingjay, the symbol of strength and hope during the uprising.
Plutarch, Peeta, and Haymitch were all aware of the plan. After the Quarter Quell games ended, the Capitol captured Peeta and altered his mind to hate Katniss. When Katniss is finally reunited with Peeta, she must slowly help Peeta regain his memories. They end up falling in love and getting married for real.
First of all, I would like to say something about the Capitol and our world. The Capitol's media focused so much on the love triangle when really they were trying to divert the attention from the Games.
Isn't that what our media does today? They focus so much on the love and glamor but won't talk about what's wrong in the world today. They ignore the real issues of today but will tell you all about what Kim Kardashian wore on Tuesday. It's sickening.
Anyway, before I start ranting about today's media, let's talk about the love triangle.
You know what I think? I don't think Katniss deserves Gale or Peeta. Here's why:
Peeta is too kind and selfless. Katniss simply takes him for granted. She probably wouldn't even be alive if it wasn't for Peeta. He was the one who had the stroke of genius to announce his love for her. Even though she hated him for it, it saved their lives. Seneca (the seventy-fourth Hunger Games game maker) changed the rules so they could both live. If Peeta wasn't there when Cato (tribute from District 2) attacked them on top of the Cornicopia (center of the arena), Katniss would've died. There's two times he saved her life right there, let alone all the other times I won't mention. He's too good for her.
Gale, on the other hand, is too strong-minded like her. They would kill each other if they got married and had to live together. Yes, Gale is sweet but they both need someone to balance out their large head and strong personality.
That and because Katniss treats them both like dirt. Yes, there were times when she showed them affection but in reality, she used them. That's why I think Katniss needs to keep looking and Peeta and Gale need to find their own princesses to love and cherish.
I could go on and on about the Hunger Games, but I'll leave it at that. I know it's not one of my best posts but I really wanted to talk about the love triangle.
My rating on The Hunger Games Trilogy: 3 out of 5 stars
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Beth
Philippians 1:20-21
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