Hungry for more Hunger Games

I have found my new obsession. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, is a three-part series that tells the story of Katniss Everdeen. Katniss is a member of District Twelve, the poorest District in the future North America called Panem. There are 12 Districts, all ruled by a vicious and powerful capitol. Each year, this capitol holds the annual hunger games where volunteers from each district are chosen to fight to the death in an arena for the Capitol's entertainment. Katniss' sister is chosen and she volunteers to take her place, and is sent to the Hunger Games.

While reading the book, I could not help but notice the common theme of rebellion. From the smallest of things to the largest, everything that Katniss does represents this theme. The most noticeable, perhaps because it is even talked about in the book, is Katniss' final act in the Hunger Games. By attempting to commit a double suicide, thereby securing a victory for both her and Peeta, Katniss defied the Capitol and showed that their rules could be broken. She had done this same thing before when she covered Rue's body with flowers. She showed to the people of the Capitol that Rue meant something to her and was not just another pawn in a game, but a real human being. Another final noticeable symbol is the symbol of the mockingjay. The mockingjay, a mutant bird that was created outside of the Capitol's control, symbolizes everything that Capitol cannot control, and everything that it fails realize. By wearing this symbol in the arena, Katniss herself becomes like a mockingjay. Because she defies the Capitol with every act, and continues to survive no matter the odds, she herself becomes the new mockingjay, the new symbol of rebellion.

Another subtle reference that speaks to the theme of Rebellion is the Thirteen Districts. The Thirteen districts are eerily similar to the Thirteen colonies of the British Empire in North America. Just like the original thirteen colonies, the ones in the Hunger Games were each created to serve the Capitol (England), supply it with goods, and be obedient. This subtle reference puts a frame on the theme of rebellion from the beginning of the novel and cleverly foreshadows what is to come in the other two books.

As an aside, I personally loved the book, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the last one (since i read book two the day after). I think that Collins cleverly holds you in suspense throughout the entire novel, and each little detail is important, nothing is negligible, which makes the book interesting and captivating. Collins also sets up each book very carefully to lead into the next one, making you believe one thing will happen, when another does (when in fact, after you read what does happen, it all makes sense, you just didn't realize!). I give the book by itself a 10 out of 10 and the series (so far) a 9 of 10. I think its safe to assume that I'm hungry for more Hungry Games!


Keep Calm and Blog On

Water for Elephants

"Age is a terrible thief. Just when you're getting the hang of life, it knocks your legs out from under you and stoops your back. It makes you ache and muddies your head and silently spreads cancer throughout your spouse." (p. 12)

This is a quote from the book "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. Throughout the novel, the narration switches points of view from the narrator as an old man to him as a young man.This structure is, firstly, parallel to the quote. This is because, just when, in the story, you think you know what will happen, you discover something, and then the point of view switches and leaves you in suspense. However, it is not just suspense for suspense's sake, the points of view give complimentary views ans facts that help you piece together an accurate picture of the man and the plot line. It also reveals a greater depth in the views and motivations of the characters.

This quote serves to illustrate Gruen's message for the novel. That life is unpredictable, and not all will ever go as planned. The structure of the novel helps to emphasize the theme illuminated by this quote. When the story is being told from the point of view of him as an old man, he is reflecting on how these things have changed him, whereas this is the opposite of him as a young man - confident, and sure of what will be, or at least sure of what he wants. The reflection serves to not only give conclusion onto what happens into the story, but show the more calm and reflective side of the man. He recognizes that these changes were now meant to be, whereas at the time, he might not have recognized their significance. 

on a side note- The message is artfully executed, I liked how she almost plainly stated her message at the beginning so you can reflect on it as you are reading, and realize how each of the plot devices and even the structure flow together. A good read- 7 out of 10.