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Hunger Games Analytical Essay

analytical essay about themes in the hunger games

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14 views2 pages

Hunger Games Analytical Essay

analytical essay about themes in the hunger games

Uploaded by

rusafarahi60
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Novel Study: The Hunger Games

Compare and contrast Peeta and Katniss as characters in The Hunger Games.

Peeta and Katniss, as central characters in The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, exhibit both striking
similarities and distinct differences that significantly shape their roles and development throughout the
novel. For instance, Peeta and Katniss have a similarity in protecting the people around them. When
Katniss volunteered as tribute to take Prim’s place, she did it to protect Prim. Katniss states that she is
“unable to speak” and “totally stunned” when Prim’s name is called out (Suzanne Collins, pg. 25). This
helps demonstrate Katniss’s protective nature for Prim. Her willingness to face almost certain death in the
arena rather than let Prim be taken demonstrates the lengths she will go to keep her sister safe. Peeta
shows this quality when he publicly confesses his “love” for Katniss on live tv. When Caesar Flickerman
asks Peeta why winning would not work out in this favour, Peeta sheepishly says, “Because… because …
she came here with me,’’ (Collins, pg. 158). He does this to gain the Capitol viewers’ attention and
sympathy, and in hopes of getting potential sponsorships to keep them both alive. But the main reason he
did this was to make Katniss’s image appear softer and sweeter to the public. Another similarity that both
Katniss and Peeta have is their tactics in the arena. Katniss realizes early on that to make the Careers
weaker, she needed to take away their food. She blows up their supplies using her arrows and making the
apples topple over into the landmines. Katniss is also able to understand Haymitch’s cryptic messages.
Despite her anger at Haymitch for not being clear enough, Katniss’s mind says that “maybe he’s sending
you a message," (pg. 204). In contrast, Peeta excels in using his social skills and emotional intelligence to
navigate the Games, strategically forming alliances, and manipulating public perception. Peeta stayed
with the Careers so he could lead them away from Katniss. In The Hunger Games, Collins used
contrasting traits and similarities to enhance Peeta and Katniss’s character development and personalities.
How is violence used to control citizens in The Hunger Games?

In The Hunger Games, Collins illustrates how violence is a tool used by the Capitol, and that it reinforces
the Capitol's authority. The Hunger Games is a significant example of this, as the Capitol sits back, and
watches children forced to fight each other to survive. Katniss said, “Whatever words they use, the
message is clear. "Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there's nothing you can do,’”
(Collins, page 22.) This quote highlights the Capitol's deliberate use of the Hunger Games to demonstrate
its power and control by forcing children to fight each other to the death, instilling fear and helplessness
in the districts. Another instance of violence being used to control citizens is the whole concept of
Avoxes. Haymitch described the Avox as “probably a traitor,” and implied that the Capitol was the people
who had “cut her tongue so she couldn’t speak,” (Collins, page 94-95). This violent act from the Capitol
takes away their freedom of speech and controllably silences any attempts of resistance or protest. Any
disobedience or rule-breaking in the districts will lead to the Peacekeepers publicly showing displays of
violence. Katniss claims that her father “could have made good money” selling his bow and arrows, but if
the Peacekeepers found out, “he would have been publicly executed,” (Collins, page 6). Through the use
of violence in The Hunger Games, Collins effectively conveys the Capitol’s control over the citizens of
the district.

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