Why do we love The Hunger Games? Why do we crave to read stories in which children, even as young as 12, are pitted against one another in an arena and forced to kill each other on live television? Do we truly fear this reality in our own lives?
Or rather, is it all about control? Do we read these stories and embrace how every individual character from the main protagonist Katniss Everdeen to little “Eddie” of the District 8 bombing desire control in their lives? In a society where our words are monitored, our actions judged, and even our thoughts persecuted, is it any wonder that what we desire is the ability to control our actions and what determines those actions? Indeed, what else are we searching for so eagerly than agency itself.
Being the main character, Katniss finds agency in multi-faceted ways. She must first overcome the restrictions placed on her body by reclaiming her physicality. Her agency then flourishes when she focus on morality and care of others. However, when trauma strikes, her agency is shattered and only vocalization of the pain can restore her ability to know and control her actions.
Readers around the world find strength in Katniss’ brokenness. Similarly, readers find a multitude of other examples of how to attain, reclaim, loose, battle for, and strive after agency through other characters such as Peeta, Gale, Cinna, Haymitch, Prim, Beetee, Mags, Joanna, and many others.
This series has never appealed to me so I will take your word for it, Kayla.
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What a bummer! Is there something in particular that turns you away from the series?
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I don’t like the child aspect, it is a real turn off for me as I have my own kids and over identify.
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I can see how that would be hard for a parent.
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I was excited about the Hunger Games years ago now. But the violence and mistreatment or power play is too surreal in our society. I’m seeking ways to live in spaces where all are not equal due to excessive greed and the pursuit of power over rather than power with.
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I hear you. While our world is not as bad as the world of Panem, our world definitely requires its own set of struggles and personal battles.
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Hey, Please know that I admire your work and your commitment to consistently posting to your blog. I’m trying to reach that level of discipline.
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Hey, thank you so much! It’s so crazy hard, harder than even I understood when I started blogging. I’ve been less consistent than I desired lately so I really appreciate you saying that!
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