With the release of the much-anticipated ‘Hunger Games‘ movie, media and people alike are taking about the reality brought forth by the best-selling novel.
I myself read the book long before it was decided upon to be made into a film. Along with the book be a thrilling read, it also made me think of the real life possibilities that it brought to light.
In the novel, the government has taken control of its citizens. Dividing what is now known as North America into the nation Panem which consists of 12 Districts and one Capitol. The country is formed after some apocalyptic event. Each district has its own responsibility, District 12 for example is in charge of mining coal.
As a punishment for a previous rebellion by the districts, in which District 13 was wiped out, one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 are chosen from each district as tributes in the annual Hunger Games. An event that is televised nation wide and makes its citizens watch. Only one tribute can win. It is a constant reminder by the wealthy Capitol, of who is in control.
When I reflect on the novel, I see what future reality it describes. Not that our country would go through some apocalyptic event to get to that point, we are already heading there now.
We currently are so enthralled with watching people on reality TV, fight and go after each other. It is not far off to think that the next is people wanting to see people actually fight. A real life death match broadcasted all over the world.
The other reality it discusses is the fact of the government growing very large and controlling its people under threat of destruction. A capitol that is inhabited only by the wealthy and elite, whose children are not involved in the games.
In our current day and age, the Hunger Games brings forth a reality that can be all too real if we let it happen. We must never let our own government become out of control, and not let our humanity be lost in reality TV by watching others fight for sport.
Related articles
- The Hunger Games and The United States (thecollegeconservative.com)
Shawn_the_Writer
I must admit, I did not understand much about this movie / novel. Thanks for bringing me up to date. The connection you point out, the one between the movie and reality TV – it is quite disturbing.
This reminds me of the novels we read in school (back in the day). Such strong and dreadful topics / warnings. The ones that come to mind are:
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
and now, Hunger Games
Just a small note: Everytime I think of the technology people refer to as ‘PhotoShopping’, I think of that term ‘unperson’. If you lost favor amongst the powers that be, your photo was just removed – anything you said, was erased. The Soviets were good at this….. historical revisionism.
Sorry for getting off topic, We are living through interesting times.
By: Barbara on March 25, 2012
at 1:06 pm
Thank you for your comment Barbara. And I think the Hunger Games can almost be put in the same place as Orwell’s books and others who have written of events of events that could truly happen….very scary events at that.
I remember reading Animal Farm by George Orwell, and how creepy it was…knowing that it was influenced by Stalin and the soviets, and yet how it could also be compared to what is happening in America.
By: Shawn_the_Writer on March 25, 2012
at 6:23 pm