Dissecting The Hunger Games: Formalist, Structuralist, and

Reader-Response Perspectives
A suspenseful, full of grim movie based on the Novel of Suzanne Collin’s Hunger
Games. The movie explores a lot of themes that can be an eye opener such as; oppression,
rebellion, manipulation, and survival. The novel-turned- real life adaptation makes it more
intriguing because of its action-packed scenes and the easter eggs symbolism hidden
throughout the movie. Also a narrative and a sharp critique for political and societal issues.

The movie follows Katniss Everdeen, a young girl who sacrifices herself in order to save her
younger sister Prim, from the dreadful fate that the ‘Hunger Games’ will bring, an annual
celebration of the sponsors from Panem, whereas each district will be represented by their
girl and boy tributes. They will fight in order to win and save their lives. Katniss together with
Peeta Mellark, a baker’s son who secretly loves her. As they go on to the capital city Panem
they are paraded and greeted with the people of the Capitol. They undergo training and
given public appearances. In the entrance of each tribute Katniss and Peeta gracefully
shine with the fire on their clothes, which where she got the nickname ‘’ The girl with the
fire’’. In the Arena, Katniss fought and avoided danger, she also uses her survival skills in
order to stay alive. She befriended Rue, a young girl from District 11, which was killed by
male tribute from District 1. This sudden death of Rue spark wave of rebellion from the
District 11. Peeta and Katniss, together navigate the lethal traps and the treacherous arena.
The two play along with the Capitol’s narrative a tragic romance which gain them public
support and sponsors. In a dramatic turn, the Capitol announces that they are gonna change
the rule to allow two tributes from same district to win, which was later revoked. Refusing to
kill each other, Katniss and Peeta attempt to commit suicide, fearing for another rebellion,
the Capitol allows them to win. In the end, the two tributes from District 12 won. Despite their
victory, Katniss was viewed by the capitol as a threat for how she started an act of rebellion
during the game. Her relationship with Peeta also grew complicated and manipulative. THIS
SETS UP THE PREMISE FOR A MORE REBELLIOUS AND RESISTANT STORY IN THE
SEQUELS.

In the novel by Suzanne Collins and turned into a movie adaptation directed by Gary Ross,
the elements all blended well together as if connected as puzzle piece. First the characters,
Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist of the story played very well and give justice to the
role.Her courage and braveness stand out throughout the story, Peeta Mellark, also is a
great portrayer, his kindness and loyalty to Katniss is applaudable. President Snow, the
antagonist, embodying the oppressive regime of Capitol shows how being greedy and
ignorant of the real situations of the people under it’s country may lead to a devastating
downfall. Haymitch Abernathy, who helped and mentored Katniss and Peeta is also
impressie, even though he have a drunken demeanor he is quietly smart and given the two
tributes the support they need during the bloodthirsty game. Secondly, the setting also
merge well with the vibe of the story. Set in a futuristic like world, where each district are
divided and given boundaries which add more suspense to the story. This shows that only
the people in the Capitol , who are living a luxurious life can enjoy extravagant things while
those who are in lower districts cannot. Lastly, the plot was structured linealy with rising
action, climax, and resolution that effectively builds suspense that makes viewers hook in the
movie. It also uses that first-person point of view with Katniss telling the story in her
viewpoint and also making us experiences the challenges that Katniss also taken. The story
also uses the techniques: foreshadowing, flashbacks, and anti-climactic that grabs the
audience’s attention and make the story more thought-provoking.

The story also has hidden codes that audience need to deeper analyze. It uses symbolic
codes and contrasting binaries to convey themes of power, survival, and societal control.
The story is rich in binary opposition. The Capitol Vs. District showcases the socio-economic
division, with the Capitol symbolizing luxury and control, while the Districts as poverty and
rebellion. In our real situation in the society we also experiences this, with people in higher
class living a luxurious life and controlling those people who are in lower class they
experience deep poverty and sometimes are oppressed by the higher class Their hardships,
resilience, and collective desire for change become the foundation for the uprising against
the higher class. The mockingjay that Katniss wore in the game also plays a vital role as it
symbolizes a call for rebellion, as Katniss navigate through the Arena in order to survive, her
actions and boldness turn her into a rallying figure of rebellion. The bird is associated with
both the Capitol’s original oppression and the district’s ability to reclaim their power and fight
back. The mockingjay pin is also characterized as emblem of resistance,as Katniss wears it
during the game it becomes a constant reminder of her role as the symbol of resistance.
Over time, the pin becomes a rallying symbol for the districts, uniting them in their fight for
freedom. In the Capitol’s eyes, it’s a symbol of rebellion, but for the districts, it represents the
promise of a better future. Also, it’s a symbol of hope, when Katniss encounters challenges
that makes her lose hope the pin reminds her that she can do and defy those hindrances
that will thrown at her, additionally It symbolizes the power of the oppressed to rise up and
challenge the forces that try to control and dominate them. As Katniss was nicknamed ‘’ The
girl with the fire’’ due to the fire she wore at the entrance and in the interview, this also
embodies Katniss’ personal transformation as a mere citizen of the District 12 into the face
of defiance, revolt and hope of the tyrannized districts. The arrow that she uses represents
her struggle for survival in the gruesome game. Katniss’s use the arrow to protect herself
from dangers in the Arena and became a crucial weapon for her protection. It is also a
symbol of sacrifice and connection with the family as Katniss comes from district 12 her
ability with the bow connects her roots there. In the scene where she sacrifice herself in
order to save her younger sister Prim and win for her district shows that she is willing to do
everything for her loved ones and her motherland. In a flashback, Peeta threw a bread at a
weak and soaked in rain Katniss, this represent the hope that even in your darkest times
there are still peopl who will help and guide you. This also foreshadows Peeta’s role a
source of support for Katniss in the game.

The Hunger Games was the iconic movie of all time. It brings so much societal and political
questions in my mind. As I watched the movie, I was not just hooked by the plot and survival
themes but I also reflect on the broader implications of the society depicted in the story. The
themes of power, survival, and inequality showed me to the uncomfortable truths of the
society. At the beginning I was touched when Katniss sacrificed herself to save her sister
and made me realize that our siblings are the connection of our souls too so whenever they
feel hurt and scared we should always be there to comfort and protect them especially our
younger siblings because they aren’t yet exposed to the harsh reality of the world. Also I was
mesmerized by the evolution of Katniss’ character from a survivalist to a face of revolution
against opressive system. Her character reminds me that being just a mere mortal or citizen
in this unfair world is not enough, we should always be courageous and be brave to fight
back the oppressive behaviors of people who control us. Also I learned from her that even in
an individual can make an impact to the larger movement even if she isn’t a leader. Her
struggles and sacrifices are admirable too because even if she is hurt and was given may
harships she still manage to rise as a victor teaching us that no matter what challenges that
destiny brought us we should always be unshaken, resilient and keep our faith to the
Almighty. This stoey also teaches me that not everything we see on media is true because
sometimes some of them are fraud. For example is the love story crafted by the capitol
between Katniss and Peeta to create sympathy and emotional appeal. Media sometimes
portray the victim as I was very glad that people write and make movie like this bravely
because some people are scared to expose the real situation behind curtains.

In conclusion, the story gives a lot of lesson that we can emulate in our life. The characters
expand our perspectives and teaches us that there is variety of people in this world. It also
gives the idea of a binary world, where the upper and lower class is divided by an invisible
boundary. There are also a lot of hidden symbolism that we can connect into our real life.
Such as the Mockingjay as a signal of rebellion and resistance to the oppressive system, the
fire as the burning passion of resistance, the arrow as the protection and an emblem of
survival, the bread as the source of support in the game. Nevertheless, the story Hunger
Games explore the diverse issues that our society are currently experiencing. Such as
oppression, manipulation, BUTANG BUTANG. Whereas in this serious matters we should
give importance and awaken our PERSPECTIVES because issues like this are evident in
the society. By giving enough awareness and action we can ensure that these SERIOUS
MATTER are resolved or mitigated. And NO HUNGER GAMES CAN BE CREATED.