That kind of thematic complexity is usually what I live for and appreciate most about good romances, and especially well-done love triangles. But here, it doesn't work for me at all. And not just because I actually thought Gale was a pretty good romantic foil for Katniss for most of the series sue me , but because I also thought, for most of the series, that his philosophical role in the rebellion was also a pretty good foil for Collins's political machinations.
Like many people, in my case perhaps because I grew up around guns and soldiers, I honestly didn't realize that I was apparently supposed to be growing more and more wary of Gale's militant radicalization until the climax.
But I was also reading The Hunger Games alongside Derrick Jensen's critiques of the way violence is used as a socioeconomic tool. To me, although Collins's use of the love triangle as an expression of her moral philosophies was an important literary tool that I respect, and although I especially appreciate what she did in terms of subverting gender norms with Peeta, I think it ultimately failed completely.
Collins ultimately took a high-handed approach to themes that she had built up with far greater complexity until that point — themes like the difficulty of resisting an oppressive system without resorting to the tactics of the oppressor, and the way the socioeconomic consequences of that resistance so often fall upon the most vulnerable members of society.
No matter what you think of Gale, he deserved better. Am I suggesting The Hunger Games itself should have been more radical?
Not exactly, but I think everyone who was struggling then and now to resist in an increasingly violent political age also deserved a more nuanced, or at least less condescending, take on the use of violence as a tool for social change.
Maybe not full-on Braveheart , but at least a little more The Purge. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding.
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Is the Hunger Games discourse overhyped? The Hunger Games is the rare franchise where both books and movies have their partisans Aja: Before we jump to J-Law, I want to add one more thing about the real-life economics that surrounded The Hunger Games.
How about that J-Law! And even then … Hollywood struggles to tell stories like this because Hollywood hates to think about being part of the problem. Thank u, next. Next Up In Culture. Delivered Fridays. Thanks for signing up! Check your inbox for a welcome email. Email required. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy.
For more newsletters, check out our newsletters page. The Latest. Hating work is having a moment By Rani Molla. Animals need infrastructure, too By Ben Goldfarb. Had useful details 1. Adult Written by caitiemm January 28, Amazing book series, but shouldn't be taken lightly First off, I love this series. I think the messages within it are more mature and useful in this day and age as it, not like Twilight and pointless vampire romances.
I believe it's one of the best series I've read though the last book I was not as happy with, but that's for another time. However, I would strongly suggest you NOT let anyone under 14 read it, though it does depend on the child.
While this book in particular might be okay, a child will continue to want to read the series till the end, and I don't believe Mockingjay and the book series all together should be swallowed by a child. What you need to consider is your child's maturity and perception on difficult situations.
This book is very political and war centered with a feel of the Holocaust to it. It deals with many rights and wrongs and human nature how strong it can be, and how horrible. This series should not be taken lightly, and I highly recommend you read it before your children to see if they can handle the undertones of this book, and then use this opportunity to discuss these difficult subjects with them.
One of the things you should be careful of is the desensitization this can cause to difficult subjects. As the series goes on and death tolls mount among other things , the young reader might start getting defensive and numb.
Give it time so they can get everything they should out of the book and not be numbed by it. But I will note, that while this book is based on violence, Collins handles it carefully so not to make it too gruesome.
The physical violence is not what concerns me for young readers wanting to read this book. Parent of a year-old Written by Coredestroy October 14, Hauntingly feasible, irresistible to put down, impossible to forget. I am currently teaching it to my 7th grade class. We are exploring the social issues of poverty, classism, devaluing human life, and risks of extreme entertainment. Hunger Games has electrified discussions in understanding character motivation, thematic irony, the human condition, and societal injustices.
Every kid has had something to say, and often their insight into why people do what they do is captivating. A powerful, edgy novel that motivates non-readers and stimulates the minds of the well read. Adult Written by Valentina z February 16, Should you read it?
This book may contain violence but it's fine for kids that can handle it. There are some drinking parts, their mentor throws up on the carpet, but other than that it's fine. In an interview, a girl is described as sexy but it isn't inappropriate.
For the people that say there's a bad message they probably didn't even read the book. The real message is that if you stand up against people, you might make the world a better place. This is appropriate for kids. I read this when I was 10 and I don't have nightmares.
It's absurd how parents think it's not good for kids. They're going to read it anyways. So stop babying your children and worry about your own problems. Had useful details. Read my mind 5. Parent of a 6-year-old Written by kidkate April 24, Not as violent as you think A book about kids fighting to the death-- the violence isn't as bad as you think. Yes, there is violence, but much of it is suspense and the actual killing isn't that rich in detail.
It is really a book much more about survival and the injustices of a society that calls for these children to fight each other. Strong girl character takes her sister's place to spare her life. She finds the good in people who might be her enemies.
Great book! Adult Written by Oklahoma parent February 29, Hunger Games-not games for kids under age 13 Shame on Suzanne Collins for writing a book about teens ages killing each other in often bloody hand-to-hand combat in a large arena televised to every person in a country in future times.
Not a book for middle schoolers 6th-8th grade. Reading comprehension level is middle school. Actually, the book is exciting; you want to turn the next page--the problem is the content.
So what lessons are taught to readers? How to survive and some about teamwork. Yes, she shows humaneness to two others in the arena in several scenes but so what? Tell us, Ms. Collins, why did you write a book about teens, not adults, killing each other, as gladiators did? Is it because the market for teen bought books and movies is strong?
To be first to write this genre? Yes, Ms. Collins, your wasted your considerable writing talents aiming to collect the almighty buck and fame.
Thanks for nothing. Helped me decide 1. Adult Written by greatmomof2 February 24, YUCK Far too violent. The author's writing is great. She does an excellent job of vividly describing children killing one another. You can almost feel the blood being spewed in your face by the child who is pierced in the neck by an arrow.
And people wonder why children today are so desensitized to violence. Adult Written by James Hedrick July 4, She even inspired a lot of young girls to take up archery, sparked another fandom romance debate, and technically saved the world. Despite all of the trials she went through, though, she survived. However, not everything about Katniss, the symbolic Mockingjay, is perfect. Some of it just doesn't add up. After all, her popularity can't cover all of her character flaws up.
One of Katniss' love interests is her childhood best friend, Gale. However, the romance between Gale and Katniss is pretty irrelevant. They could have just been great best friends and it wouldn't have effected the overall plot of the series very much. Unlike Peeta, the girl on fire had little reason to be romantically interested in Gale.
They both had very different views about how to get things done and he was a much more unforgiving person than she was. For someone desperate to be comforted and grounded, he never makes sense.
While Gale was attractive, that didn't make him a good option for Katniss. They see it as an honor to join the ceremony. Though our young heroine is fantastic with a bow, it's a bit of a stretch to think that she could face off against trained warriors. If all of the deus ex machinas hadn't saved Katniss Rue, Thresh's mercy, wolf-mutts, etc. The Careers were painfully lackluster considering how skilled they were supposed to be.
In Mockingjay , a lot of terrible things start to weigh on Katniss' shoulders. The Capital brainwashed her sort of boyfriend, Peeta. While contributing to a mission, wolf-mutts mauled her close friend, Finnick.
Worst of all, though, was what happened to Prim. However, the rebellion's own bombs decimate Prim while she was helping the wounded. Though Katniss is devastated, she lacks the fiery response expected from her character. She's always responded to frustrations and pain with rage and vengeance. If she stayed true to her character, she would have destroyed Gale for being the one to make the plan. After surviving the Hunger Games, victors get to live in their district's "Victor Village.
Also, they earn a bunch of money, resources, clothes, and never have to work again excluding mentoring tributes. However, with all of this wealth and resources, it doesn't make sense that some victors don't use this to better their district. Despite the money and power Katniss, Peeta, and Haymitch have, District 12 is still helplessly poor. While they live in relative luxury, their community suffers. As the heroes, they should make some effort to help others, not just wage wars. While the movies omit her, she's pretty important to the novels.
This is the character who gives Katniss the Mockingjay pin and supports her. However, as time goes on, it becomes clear that a character like Madge Undersee doesn't quite belong. One of Madge's distinct moments happens when she buys a pretty dress so that she can look good if she gets picked in the culling. Next to a family-focused, rebellious girl like Katniss, the two simply don't match up. Of all of the people the girl on fire could have befriended in District 12, Madge didn't mesh well with her personality.
When the trio of District 12 victors learn about the new Quarter Quell rules, they don't take it well. After all, they're pooling from victors only, and there are only three of them. Since Katniss is the only girl, the only other option is Haymitch or Peeta. Throughout the first Hunger Games, Katniss is startled and repulsed by Haymitch's drunkeness, even if she appreciates him.
However, later, she seems to be following him. It's understandable, considering the trauma of the Games, but Katniss acts like a person who has to cope with violence and stoic-ness, not one who has to deal with alcohol. In a world like Panem, family is the only thing people have left, especially in places like District Though losing her husband crippled Mrs. Everdeen, it should have brought her closer to her daughters, not further. Depression is infectious and monstrous, but sometimes duty has to supersede pain.
On the flip side, though, Katniss clearly just took over her mother's role instead of trying to help her get better. There are a handful of things that still don't make much sense.
These are seven narrative elements of the film that put the odds less in its favor. In their final moment together before Katniss is to leave, her little sister gives back the pin in hopes that it will protect her in the arena. Case in point…. I am going to ignore that inconsistency, however, because that is not nearly as impressive to how that skills actually help him in the Hunger Games.
Not to mention, the hallucinations she does begin to endure do not really add up either. After escaping the treetop by repelling her opposing tributes and indirectly killing one, who conveniently happens to be a fellow archer with tracker jackers, Katniss begins to fall prey to some nightmarish visions courtesy of their genetically engineered venom.
Wait a minute… Of course, Panem citizens watching the Hunger Games heard Flickerman talk about tracker jackers and anyone in reality watching the movie heard of him say that, but Katniss, stuck in the arena at this point, did not.
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