Packaged in a clear and concise way, The Hunger Games presents incredibly complex themes such as the desire for power and the survival of those who aren’t from privileged backgrounds. The book is also incredibly indicative of the human condition and can provide insight into how our minds and priorities develop as we grow older. When I read it for the first time in 2013, I didn’t care much about the spoiled, rich Capitol citizens. I definitely didn’t take interest in the political situation of Panem. In fact, I almost certainly had no care for anything besides the games themselves and the relationship between Katniss and Peeta. I remember ten year old me being distraught at the way Katniss and Peeta’s relationship deteriorated at the start of Mockingjay, but after re-reading the series as an adult it’s clear that both Peeta and Katniss were extremely traumatized by the events orchestrated by President Snow and the gamemakers.
At its forefront, the series is about a revolution whose seeds were planted long before Katniss, or even her mother, were even born. Despite that clear narrative there is much more to be said about the political statement that The Hunger Games makes. The message is clear: The government’s power is never used to satisfy citizens. This message is relayed time and again throughout the series, but my favorite instances are found in the final installment of the series. In book one, there is no doubt that there is extreme suffering inflicted upon the districts by the Capitol. Of course the citizens in the districts were not satisfied. Each year their children were taken to the games and killed, and those who did return were rightfully traumatized. Mockingjay presents an interesting perspective on the same issue, though with a hint of revenge. Orchestrated by Gale, the attack that killed many original Capitol citizens was greenlit by President Coin and indicated that a personal agenda always triumphs over the well-being of common people. If she really did wish to be different from the original Capitol, she could have easily proposed a plan for unity. Instead, the power associated with her position in the government, and her personal feelings, got in the way of creating a better and more secure future for Panem.
What especially stands out to me about the essence of the series is that it, unfortunately, was and still is applicable to conflict related to the government. Take, for example, the current political situation of the US. There are plenty of issues that have become increasingly politicized as a way for different members of the government to exploit voters into supporting candidates. The already growing tension around the world caused by the American bipartisan system has only made incredibly important and personal issues, like abortion and tax-related policy, into a way to garner widespread support for individual political agendas. Once again, President Coin’s path to power can demonstrate how politicians tend to exploit the population. Despite the initial support from those living in the long-hidden District 13, she takes advantage of everyone who sides with her. In particular, she puts Katniss in a tough position when it comes to bringing Peeta back to safety following his time being held hostage in the Capitol by President Snow. She knows reuniting Katniss and Peeta is the only way to get Katniss to comply, and she uses it to her advantage since she knows people support Katniss as the Mockingjay – their symbol of liberation from Snow’s oppressive rule.
Another way the message is reflected is in war-laden countries where some people have sought asylum and refuge in neighboring countries, while others are left stranded and must fend for themselves. While there are plenty of atrocities like this happening across the globe, the most notable and widely discussed in the present include Ukraine, Palestine, and Congo. These conflicts also bring to attention just how perceptive Collins was when creating the obnoxious Capitol citizens. While people in the districts suffer in their environments for food, shelter, and other basic necessities, those in the Capitol are completely unimpacted. They have an abundance of clothes, live in opulent homes, and have more food than they can healthily consume. This is a horrifying parallel to the lives that the 1%, the crème de la crème, live in real life. The rich keep getting richer while the poor continue to struggle. This systemic wealth is made infinitely worse when compared to the exposure Katniss got when trying to secure sponsors. Surrendering to both Effie and Haymitch’s advice, Katniss and Peeta both demonstrate just how harsh their lives are in comparison to the luxe lifestyle the Capitol is used to experiencing. This directly relates to how rich and famous people, who could easily contribute to spreading awareness on these conflicts, ignore what doesn’t directly affect them. Sure, many citizens in the Capitol felt bad for the contestants, but the same can be said for the extremely rich people of our world. There are some famous actors and influencers who donate money to help aid families, but there is no telling what their intentions are. Are they purely selfless, or are they more similar to the Capitol citizens than they’d like to admit? This type of performative activism can easily benefit celebrities in the long run. A public show of support or donation can work wonders to increase their popularity and can even result in tax breaks and other financial opportunities that make their donation seem disingenuine.
There is no doubt in my mind that one day in the near future The Hunger Games will be considered a modern classic. Oftentimes, the best books have the simplest language. What makes books like these superior is the fact that they can be consumed and understood by people of all ages and backgrounds so there is not a single person who won’t gain something from reading the series. What is most important to me is that readers begin to see the eerie similarities between Panem and the current state of the world. It’s somewhat nightmarish to think that we might be edging closer and closer to becoming a dystopian society ourselves.
Vanshikha Vij, Pine Reads Review Writer