Published in 2008, The Hunger Games Trilogy covers three books, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. They are set in a post-apocalyptic world in a country called Panem. Panem is split into twelve districts, each named by an according number. Katniss and her family live in District 12, a poor, coal-mining district, ruined with starvation and poverty.
I didn't read any of the books until 2012, when I read all three in around two weeks. I just couldn't stop reading. The idea behind the actual Hunger Games, which take place annually within Panem, is just brilliant. There are two 'tributes' per district, and all 24 'tributes' fight to the death in an arena, with only one winner. The Hunger Games are aired on TV for all of the districts to watch, for their entertainment, and as a harsh reminder for them to follow the rules of Panem and not to rebel. I was absorbed into this fictional world where literally, anything could happen.
Katniss lives with her mother and her little sister, Prim. Katniss and Prim's relationship shows the first powerful characteristic of Katniss, her nurturing and protective side. Katniss loves her sister, and will do anything to provide for her and ensure that she is safe. She hunts on a daily basis to ensure that they eat, and when Prim is picked as the female tribute for the Hunger Games, Katniss volunteers in her place. This protectiveness shows Katniss' loyalty and love to her sister. This is also portrayed through her relationship with Rue in the arena. Rue reminds Katniss of Prim, and I think this is the one and only reason their friendship even starts.
Throughout the book, Collins portrays Katniss' resourcefulness. She's a hunter, she's a provider, she's a quick-thinker, and above all, she's a fighter. There are very few moments in the book where Katniss appears to give up, and even when she gets to that point, something inside her pulls her back to reality, and to her focused self. She has lived a life of survival; surviving in District 12 to surviving in the Hunger Games. This makes Katniss quite tough, she isn't sentimental about much, she's a closed book. I don't think it's clear to any other characters, or the reader, what Katniss is thinking at any point during the book. But I don't think this makes her unlikeable, like some have suggested, it just makes her a bit more of a mystery than other heroines may be.
The closed side of her is also shown when she is plunged into the celebrity world of The Capitol. Prior to the Hunger Games starting, each tribute is made up, dressed, displayed and interviewed in front of all 12 districts. This is hard for Katniss as she's quite a private person, she's not a talker or a sharer, so to be interviewed about her personality, her feelings, her family and her love interests make her feel incredibly uncomfortable. It's at these moments that we quite often see the funny side of Katniss, she uses her sense of humour as a shield, to protect her from having to actually share her secrets.
Although cliche, I think Katniss is one of those characters that everybody can relate to. She's a great example for girls to aspire to (and women if I'm anything to go by)...apart from the romantic side of her. Katniss' strength and control in all areas of her life make it difficult for her to show her true self. The only person that really knows her is Gale, her hunting partner and long-term friend. They share a few moments prior to Katniss going into the arena, but it seems like she forgets about him when she goes into the Hunger Games and creates a 'show-mance' with Peeta. Although this was directed by Haymitch, their sponsor on the outside of the arena, Peeta does actually fall for Katniss, and the way I saw it, she kind of led him on! So, there's a side of the strong, protective fighter that isn't so perfect, but that can only make her more relate-able.
This is one of the few books where I actually enjoyed watching the film too. The film was almost as absorbing as the books were, and Jennifer Lawrence portrayed Katniss faultlessly. Katniss has definitely influenced mine, and many other young womens' lives. I have no doubt that The Hunger Games Trilogy will become a must-have shelf filler for many more generations.
No comments:
Post a Comment