Book Info: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collin. Published by Scholastic Press in 2008
In 2008, I had friends reading this book and telling me it was a must read. By then I had learned my lesson and refused to read an incomplete trilogy. This, however, did not prevent me from purchasing the books as they were released. They sat prettily on my shelf and I finally picked them up to read, for the first time, the night before Mockingjay was released. I then proceeded to finish all three books in a 24 hour period. Since that time, a societal craze has begun with everyone reading these books. Which means I try to steer clear of the crazies.
But with the movie coming out soon, I knew that I had to re-read and prepare myself.
The dystopian novels that I enjoy so much are not often on my list of re-reads. Usually because they are not the things that one would read before bed to cause happy dreams. Also because they are so intense they take quite a bit of attention. Yesterday, I had a couple of hours between things and picked up this book to read. Again I will try to stay away from the actual plot line, and stick with the interesting details.
The character of Katniss is quite a fascinating one to me. Here you are see a survivor. She does the best with what she has, and she has very little to work with. She is from the poor part of her town, her father has died, and she has taken over the care of her mother and sister. She carries the weight of her family on her shoulders and she takes that responsibility very seriously. Her fears of trusting anyone else are natural in one who lost her father and was failed by her mother so early in her life. When those around you fail you (or you think that they fail you), you learn to only trust yourself and in it is very difficult to trust others. It is not shocking that she would step in to volunteer for her sister. Her need to protect little Prim would be a driving force in her life. The connection she finds with little Rue in the arena would mirror the connection she had with Prim. Rue’s death is probably one of the most poignant scenes of the novel. The death of the small girl is the one thing that Katniss fears most for her Prim. The helplessness that she feels is compounded by her anger at the Capitol for forcing the situation. Her respect for the death of an innocent is portrayed as rebellion. Though they create the seeds of rebellion, her actions were not focused on that. It is her honest reaction to the true horror of the games themselves that resonate with the people of Panem.
Where Katniss displays only a few moments of true emotion, Peeta seems to be almost transparent in this area. The boy with the bread focuses his entire being on the protection of Katniss. His emotions are apparent to readers from the moment we read of his willingness to take a beating to provide for Katniss. Katniss’ inability to recognize the truth of his sweet declaration of love during the interviews makes her seem harsh in comparison. Yet, it is understandable. For as Peeta says, “She has no idea. The effect she can have.” (pg 91) Katniss doesn’t see how her actions are perceived. She is too focused on keeping her family alive, and then keeping herself alive. She does recognize the need for her to act in specific ways to make sure that her and Peeta stay alive but she believes that Peeta is acting out of that same need. While there are moments where she seems to catch a glimpse of both her and Peeta’s true emotions, she can’t understand that Peeta might not be focused on keeping himself alive.
When these first books came out there was the thought that this was a love triangle. Reality states that there is no triangle because Katniss hasn’t come to terms with actual emotions. Her relationship with Gale is based on a mutual need to stay alive. While they are not just friends, neither of them are in love either. In a world such as theirs, it would be hard to think beyond survival to love. While Gale has just gotten to the point of running away, Katniss hasn’t yet begun to think of that type of reality. Gale is getting past his need to protect his family. He is seeing a life for himself away from the world with their government has created. Katniss is still too focused on survival, hers and those she cares about. She truly does care for both Gale and Peeta but there is no triangle because the caring has not matured into love. There doesn't seem to be a way for Katniss to understand such emotions just yet.
More than a study of survival, these books are an interesting look at a dystopian society. I am excite to start Catching Fire today.
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