ATTENTION VIEWERS!!!

PLEASE READ FROM BOTTOM UP!!! It is how I wanted them to be read. Thought that it made the most sense in that order...just posted them wrong..oops...lol...first timer!

Personal Synthesis + Feminist Analysis

Taking the Hunger Games book and perceiving it in a feminist way, I must say that this book is a great heroine. Not only does it provide a brave, independent  underdog (being from a district and all) but it provides challenges in a patriarchal society. It takes a woman and a young one at that and gives her many qualities that men usually and stereotypically posses; Katniss's hunting skills, her lack of showing emotion, the obsession with having control over her own life. Even though the Capitol literally decides everything for her future in a sense, there are still imperfections within the society that Katniss recognizes. With this she is able to rebel in a way that isn't straight forward rather it is done sneakily.

Critical Context

In the critical essay, "Revolutionary Art in the Age of Reality TV", Katheryn Wright explains how today's reality shows can help us better understand the connection that the Hunger Games brings to everyone in Panem. "In which television is the population's primary means of communication." (Wright, 106) for both the people in the Capitol and the districts. Watching loved ones in the districts case and for the sick amusement for the Capitols' people, the Hunger Games is considered the entertainment in Panem. One of the connections that the essay compared the Hunger Games was that of the Olympics. It is a show that brings together the whole United States and most of the world to watch and experience the games. Much like the games bring to all of Panem but with a horrific aspect and understanding that the Capitol has power over everyone in the games and its' districts. It's a reminder to all the districts that they aren't free, and that in some sick sense the Capitol feels it is justified in making the districts watch their children fight and die for the rebellion that once happened. Wright also explains how Katniss plays the most important role through the reality t.v. aspect in that she can play off the audiences feelings. She gives the audience what they want to see in hopes that she is able to gain sponsors. Playing her role in the Hunger Games also gives her a type of control over the audience because she has become the major story in the games. She is who the people love to watch the most. So she is able to manipulate them into thinking things that aren't really there such as the star-crossed lover relationship. People in the Capitol and in the surrounding districts might feel the connection with  the love story but the truth is Katniss is playing everyone. Even the tributes who are participating in the games. I thought that Wright had many good points about the reality aspect of the book because you can see that type of control over people through that technological medium today. Obviously not to that extreme but the idea of having that connection and how the programs shape our reality in the real world.

Citation

 Wright, Katheryn. "Revolutionary Art in the Age of Reality TV." Of Bread, Blood and The Hunger Games: Critical Essays on the Suzanne Collins Trilogy. Eds. Mary F. Pharr and Leisa A. Clark. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2012. pg. 98-107. Print.

Film Comparison

Everyone knows that books and movies are without a doubt never the same. No matter how hard the producers try to unfold the story through film making. There always seems to be that certain something that’s always left out. And that certain something is what holds significance and meaning to the whole story. In the case of the Hunger Games, I think that there were many certain somethings in the film that were left out that held sole meaning; The Mocking jay pin, how fast Katniss finds water,  no visit from Peeta’s father, deaths happened faster, no Avox girl, the mutant dogs and the end of the game maker. This is only a handful of difference that the film made but I will choose two that I think have most meaning change. For starters the mocking jay pin. In the book the mayor’s daughter Madge gives the pin to Katniss when she is taken into custody. The pin is suppose to represent the district but later on you come to find out that the mocking jay is a sign of rebellion. In the book this would make complete sense, since Katniss tries hard to defy the capitol. However though, in the film Katniss buys the pin at the Hob and gives it to Prim, telling her that it will keep her safe at the reaping. When this fails and Prims’ name is chosen Katniss takes her sisters place in the games, obviously to keep her sister from dying. When Katniss is held in custody, Prim gives the pin back to her. Telling her the pin will keep her safe in the games. This makes the significance of the pin different. It doesn’t hold a rebellious meaning but rather a message of survival in which Katniss needs to do in order to return to Prim. I think the film changed this to show the love connection that Katniss and Prim shared. It was a way to show the audience the love between the sisters. In the books case, Katniss expresses her love for Prim in different ways, as well as her rebellion towards the capitol.

Another great difference in the book and film was how fast Katniss found water. In the book it was days before Katniss found water showing the difficulty and horror of the games. It also shows weakness in Katniss, making her very human and susceptible to the forest. She is on the verge of death before she finds water, but realizes something, “Maybe he’s sending you a message, it says. A message. Saying what? Then I know. There’s only one good reason Haymitch could be withholding water from me. Because he knows I’ve almost found it.” (pg.196, Collins) When the realization comes to her that she must be close to finding water, Katniss realizes how Haymitch is communicating with her and how she can to him. In the film, Katniss finds water immediately after the games are started. Showing that she indeed has forest smarts. I think that the film did this to portray her as strong and willful. I don’t like how they did this because it takes away from understanding why Katniss does the things she does in the games. It also takes away from Haymitchs’ intelligence. He is very clever and knows how to work the games, which is crucial to both Katniss and Peeta’s survival.

Even though the movie has its' differences from the book, it was a pretty descent. Since the movie is an adaptation to the book you can't expect it to be perfect. I can't say for sure if there are any similarities between the two because all I can grab hold of are the differences. I think if I had to pick a similarity, it would be the overall story. Two star-crossed lovers fighting to stay alive at any cost. I must say that if you hadn't of read the book before you saw the movie you would be missing out on information and that was the case with me. I saw the movie before I read the book and oh boy did I have a lot of questions. But when I started reading the book the movie made more sense to me.  So I would always recommend that you read the book first to understand everything meaningful in the book, then watch the movie. I think you get a better understanding about the characters and their actions.

                                                                    

                                                                 Citation

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. New York: Scholastic, 2009. Print.

Reader Response

Over all there was a diverse mixture of responses on the Hunger Games. From being unforgettable, to absolute overkill with lack of quality written work. The Hunger games has opened up quit a fascinating debate amongst the HG junkies and the HG haters. my favorite response I found to the HG book expressed by Dija's epic book checklist response,

           "1. A sharp and intelligent heroine with just the right amount of emotion who gives into                             absolutely nothing and no one?

            2. A sweet and sensitive hero who loves and supports the heroine unconditionally?  

            3. An original setting with a unique and thrilling plot?

            4. A couple of earth-shattering shocks every now and then to keep the readers' mind reeling?

           5. Extraordinary side characters from interesting backgrounds who possess the much needed

         voice of Reason and/or Humor in every crisis?    
       6. Desperate circumstances that force me to bit my nails in anxiety? 

           7. An ending that provides the perfect premise for the sequel but also concludes the present

                 book?

                                                         Like i said, EPIC"

                                               

                                    

 God how I love this response. I thought it was written lightly with a lot of umph and with great deal of truth in my opinion. Though, there are some who would contend in Dija's response such as Jess, a responder on Good Reads that argues, "thought the book was overkill with violence being unnecessarily graphic with characters lacking any real depth. The book was poorly written with run in sentences, fragments and lacked sentence structure." To this response I say, boo. I think that response goes to the extreme. I can't say so myself if the book had such errors cause I aint no grammar teacher, but since when the hell did there become 'strict' guidelines into writing a book. Isn't it the authors choice in how they want to present the book. Also, if the HG book does have flaws, if we can even call them that, the book was written for a young audience not for scholars. It wasn't meant to be read as a complex, jargon filled novel. Though I completely disagree with this response I must respect it, and I do. Just for the fact that everyone has the right to their own opinion. So for my own thoughts, I think that the reviews on the book are 50/50. Either you love the book or you hate it. Or you could be a in-between-er. the person who reads the book, but really don't care about it any more than it being just a piece of paper to read. I must say that I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a quick enticing read that brings you to another reality.

Works Cited

Dija. “The Hunger Games.” Goodreads. N.p., 21 Apr. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75075920>.

Jess’s. “The Hunger Games.” Goodreads. N.p., 14 Feb. 2012. Web. 23 Oct. 2012. <http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/52117158>.