It has taken me almost the entirety of this book to understand what is actually going on. I have never seen or read any of The Hunger Games movie and sequels, but I see how I can make a strong connection of the book to our everyday lives. Whether it is political,economical, and basic rights and dignities this reading has the whole package.
Politically, Panem is under complete control of the capital. Many people are blind to the fact that how much power the government actually has over them. Katniss Everdeen is the protagonist and up to this point in the book has learned quite a lot about what the Capitol is doing to the districts.
During the games Katniss began to have a fake Crush on Peeta. He was a gentleman to her and kept her alive. Before they embark on their “Victors Journey” President Snow Drops by for a visit. He states “I’m only interested in how it affects your dynamic with Peeta, thereby affecting the moods in the districts” (28). Katniss never ate the poisoned berries in the hunger games so she stayed alive resulting in two victors. President Snow wants her to fall in love with Peeta and only Peeta, this is another reason why the games have two victors. Snow knows about Gale and basically takes away her rights of being with him. If she was to leave Peeta all hell would break loose. “Only you’ll have to do even better if the uprising are to be adverted” says Snow (29). In return Katniss says “I know. I will. I’ll convince everyone in the districts that I wasn't defying the capitol, that I was crazy in love” (29). The victors tour goes through all the districts and stops lastly at the winner’s home district, which would be 12. Once they begin the tour of districts Peeta and Katniss meet outside. “My faces breaks into a big smile and I start walking into Peeta’s direction. Then as If I can’t stand it another second, I start running. He catches me and spins me around” (42). Basically showing Snow that she understands his’ rules. During the reading I see that on their journey Katniss points out many differences between districts.
District 11 was their first stop, both Peeta and Katniss are from 12. 12 is the farthest and least guarded of the districts. Katniss always used to just slip outside the fence and went hunting with Gale ( her other lover of some sorts.) Pulling into 11 is much different. Katniss states “We slow slightly and I think we might be coming in for another stop, when a fence rises up before us. Towering at least thirty-five feet in the air… It makes ours in back in district 12 childish” (55). District 12 doesn’t even have close to something like this. Katniss and Gale go into the woods right through the fence all the time. Here you could see no one could get or get out. Katniss also sees that 11’s economics are in ruins “In some districts the victors ride the whole city…maybe because there’s not much of a city to begin with” (56). Everything is run down and she states that the Justice building “must have been a thing of beauty, but time has taken it’s toll”(56). As they begin to leave the justice building all hell breaks loose outside. Katniss gave a speech and thanked Rue and her family for what she had done for her in the games. Katniss sees a man look at here and gave each other a weird, but targeted glance at one another. “I only meant to express my thanks—but I have elicited something dangerous…this is exactly the kind of thing I am suppose to be defusing” (62). A full riot has began outside the justice building at this time.
Another part that I believe shows a large impact is when they go to the visit The Capitol. Katniss states “The forty-foot ceiling has been transformed into the night sky” (76). Here Katniss and Peeta are awe at how much food there is too eat. Katniss says “Tables laden with delicacies line the walls” (77). As Katniss eats and becomes full other people come up to them and speak to them and ask if they enjoyed the food. Katniss obviously loves the food as she says “I could just eat this all night” (78). The problem is she begins to feel extremely full not even half way through her first plate. They point her to a table with glasses that have clear liquid in them. Octavia says “everyone does it, or else how would you have any fun at a feast” (79). It is a type of concoction that makes you puke so you can eat more than usual.
President Snow seems to be very happy as Katniss has been doing well with loving Peeta. Peeta had proposed to Katniss. This is exactly what he wanted. He knows if Katniss does not do this other Districts will rebel something that cannot happen.
On the way back they go to their justice building in district 12. Katniss knows the majors daughter Madge. Katniss goes up to see her, but passes by The Mayors office. She peeks her head in, but he is not there. The TV is blaring though the doorway. Katniss can not help, but watch the TV. She sees a breaking news title come across the screen “instinctively I know this is not for my eyes.. she warns that conditions are worsening and additional. Forces are being sent into district 8” (88). It shows that district 8 has rebelled. Katniss goes crazy at the fact that all this happening. She blames herself as she has created the rebellion by rebelling during the games.
As of right now all these connections can be made with our government and how it is ran. We see in the book that people do not believe their rights are being taken away from them because they do not know any better. In America this happens all too often, we are uneducated and do not know how powerful we actually are.
Another example would be the economics,.specific areas of America are run down. This all has to do with the Economics. The city of Detroit Michigan used to be prospering, during the car manufacturing industry in that part of the country. Now a house can be bought for 2,000 dollars. Like we see in District 11 the area is run down, but you can that it used to be something great there just like in Detroit.
The government hides so much information from us it’s ridiculous
Collins, Suzanne, and Elizabeth B. Parisi. Catching Fire. Print.
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