Those who have seen such films as Battle Royale, (dir Kinji Fukasaka, 2000) and read books such as 1984 (George Orwell, 1949) will undoubtedly be no stranger to the story of struggle in a totalitarian empire, and being forced to endure, and be responsible for violent acts for entertainment.
The difference here is that this is a story told for a young adult market. The Hunger Games books,written by Suzanne Collins, and published between 2008 and 2010 have grown immensely in popularity, particularly in recent months due to the clever marketing strategies of the films.
Though its growth and popularity have been likened to Twilight (Stephenie Meyer, 2005), the two worlds could not be further apart and the female protagonists could not be more different. Having read all three books in The Hunger Games trilogy in just over a week and having gone to see the film the week after I am impressed.
The politics of a controlling totalitarian state and the storyline set against a backdrop of hunger and struggle will be familiar to anyone who has either read or studied political history. Particularly for example European history from the 19th and early 20th centuries such as the regimes of Stalin and Mussolini, and the various revolutions occurring against such autocratic rule.
In fictional terms we can cite Richard Bachmann (Stephen King), George Orwell and Margaret Atwood as authors who have created a dystopian, nightmarish world. Indeed Bachmann's Running Man (1982) tells a similar tale of a future world where The Running Man, a violent gameshow where contestants are targets is the top entertainment and the protagonist fights for survival.
The political aspect of the books, which grows and evolves through the trilogy, becomes more and more frightening, showing us the harsh but worthy price of rebellion and standing up for your beliefs. Furthermore, Collins cleverly makes the reader question the motives of the rebels, forcing us to consider if we are better off with what we have, even if it is a corrupt society, and if the rebels are any better than those they are fighting against as characters harden and change throughout as the action continues.
In the first book we are introduced to the idea of killing people as Katniss and her friend Gale consider the games, however in the final book Mockingjay,(2010), killing people arguably no longer holds such importance, as the significance of the bombs being designed by the rebels is just how much damage they can do. This is chilling when juxtaposed with the innocence of both Katniss and Gale and the start of the trilogy:
' "Its not just hunting. They're armed. They think." I say
" So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice." He says. "You know how to kill."
"Not people" I say
"How different can it be really?" says Gale grimly.
The awful thing is, that if I forget they're people, it will be no different at all.' (pg 48)
Indeed it is this sense of self and morality which sets apart he charachers. As we are told the story from Katniss’ point of view, through her eyes, we naturally side with her however she, as we learn throughout the books, is not perfect. She herself frequently wishes she had some of the characteristics of Peeta, a character who has high moral standards, is faithful, loyal and protects those whom he loves at all costs. Katniss shares these traits, but compares herself to Peeta, even though initial distrust mars their relationship. She wonders throughout the trilogy the real meaning of his words before the Games, only to realise much later the significance of them:
“No when the time comes, I’m sure I’ll kill just like everybody else. I can’t go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to…to show the Capitol they don’t own me. That I’m more than just a piece in their games” (172.)
When the games quickly become real it is the strength of will of Katniss, and of Peeta, which are the true force of the books and the film. Katniss is a survivor, however she will not sacrifice who she is and the lives of her friends. The love she has for her mother, her sister Prim and her community back in District 12 motivate her to get through the games in one piece, whilst the “careers”, tributes from Districts 1, 2 and 4 are shown to favour and even enjoy killing, characters who will betray anyone to survive and win at all costs. These tributes, who are enthusiastic for the Games are shown as opposites of Katniss, Peeta, Rue, and back in District 12 the characters of Gale, Greasy Sae, and those frequenting the Hob, the black market of D12.
During the first book then in which we are introduced to the world of Panem we are quickly shown the lives and community spirit of District 12, and as this worsens through the trilogy, and as Katniss matures, forced to grow up too quickly for her age, we begin to see that spirit and survival are pitted against control and state manipulation. I could not wait to read how this panned out through the next two books Catching Fire and Mockingjay and see the truly 21st Century feminism shown by Katniss develop. This I shall later explore. For now, let the games begin, and join me in my Hunger Games obsession.
0 comments:
Post a Comment