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"Enforcing children from our districts to kill each other while we watch—this is the Capitol's way of reminding us how completely we are at their mercy" (Collins, 18). Imagine dwelling in a realm where the sole form of entertainment is manipulated by a totalitarian government, compelling twenty-four adolescents to engage in a deadly contest for the amusement of the masses. The sinister ideology of The Hunger Games has evolved into an annual ritual for the citizens residing within the Districts of Panem.
The inception of The Hunger Games traces back to the Districts' rebellion against the Capitol (Collins, 18). Over the past seventy-five years, Districts One through Twelve have annually contributed one male and one female tribute to partake in this brutal tournament (Collins, 18). While some perceive these games as a cruel attempt to exact revenge on the once-rebellious Districts, actions often betray the sentiment.
The societal morality of Panem appears nonexistent in the face of the citizens' reluctance to challenge or protest these inhumane games.
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The acceptance of The Hunger Games might be rooted in the fear citizens harbor towards their government. The government's relationship with the twelve Districts is portrayed as unhealthy and corrupt, especially after the Dark Days and the signing of The Treaty of Treason. The Capitol exploited its powers to manipulate and oppress the citizens of Districts One through Twelve.
To humiliate and torment the Districts, the Capitol demands that they treat The Hunger Games as a festive occasion (Collins, 19).
Operating as a dictatorship rather than a democracy, the Capitol sustains its authority by instilling fear within the Districts. The government's message is clear: "Take your children, sacrifice them, and there's nothing you can do. If you lift a finger, we will destroy every last one of you. Just as we did in District Thirteen" (Collins, 19). This totalitarian approach explains the reluctance of Panem's people to speak out against The Games.
Despite the perception that citizens are coerced into watching or participating, their collective failure to organize and protest indicates an implicit acceptance. The Hunger Games present the Districts with the notion that participating is a way out of poverty and starvation, potentially clarifying their willingness to engage in the Games rather than resist the inhumane treatment of children.
Owing to the uneven distribution of wealth, many citizens struggle to survive, leading to distressed living conditions. Emerging victorious in The Hunger Games not only benefits the winning tribute but also reaps rewards for their District. "The last tribute alive receives a life of ease back home, and their Districts will be showered with prizes, largely consisting of food. All year the Capitol will show the winning Districts gifts of grain and oil and even delicacies" (Collins, 19).
The Districts watch the Games with hopes of climbing the ladder towards success, showcasing their acceptance of the tributes' torment in the arena. By refraining from rallying against the reaping, festivities, or the Games, citizens may be perceived as lacking ethics or principles. While the underprivileged may view the Hunger Games as a means to gain wealth, the Capitol's affluent citizens see it merely as entertainment, diminishing their compassion for the Games' underlying ideology.
The citizens of the Capitol view the people of the Districts as less than human, employing dehumanization as a technique to desensitize themselves to the suffering of others (Shaffer, 80). The Capitol perceives the killing of innocent lives in the arena not as sad or cruel but as exciting entertainment. Citizens urge Gamemakers to manipulate the Games for added excitement.
Despite the Games promoting the idea that tormenting a child is acceptable, the Gamemakers use their control in the seventy-fifth Hunger Games to ignite fires, forcing tributes together and ensuring their demise (Collins, 173). The tactics of torture and misery are deployed to ensure the Capitol's citizens enjoy the spectacle. Katniss experiences the Capitol's disrespect towards human life when her prep team focuses on their activities rather than the dying tributes in the arena (Collins, 354).
The Capitol's enjoyment of the Games stems not only from their lack of compassion but also from the pleasure derived from witnessing others in agony. Shaffer's ideology posits that The Hunger Games is popular in Panem because of the enjoyment derived from watching others suffer (Shaffer).
Shaffer supports his theory with the German word Schadenfreude, defined as the enjoyment obtained from the suffering of others (Shaffer, 77). The Hunger Games epitomizes Schadenfreude when Capitol citizens cheer on the deaths of tributes in the arena (Shaffer, 76), showcasing their cold-heartedness toward human life.
Cruelty, violence, and death are recurring themes in the televised show called Hunger Games and serve as underlying themes throughout the novel. The wealthy class sees violence as good entertainment, while the underprivileged may view cruelty as a means to attain prosperity. The Districts' refusal to condemn the Games may suggest citizens becoming content with their current circumstances. However, for some, the Games are perceived as callous and cruel, revealing the underlying malevolence of The Hunger Games.
The Capitol's ruthless rule suppresses individuals from voicing opinions about the Games, instilling fear within the country and preventing the Districts from creating a better future for the next generation.
In conclusion, The Hunger Games provides a poignant reflection of Panem's societal intricacies. The Capitol's totalitarian control, economic desperation in the Districts, and dehumanization and Schadenfreude exhibited by Capitol citizens collectively contribute to the perpetuation of the brutal Hunger Games. The cycle of cruelty, violence, and death continues, shaping the very fabric of Panem's existence. As we delve into Suzanne Collins' dystopian world, it prompts us to reflect on our own society's values and the consequences of unchecked power, inequality, and the exploitation of human suffering.
The Hunger Games: A Reflection of Panem's Societal Dynamics. (2016, May 16). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-hunger-games-essay
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