Hunger Games
1. What do you think is the cruelest part of the Hunger Games?
I think the cruelest part is that citizens of Panem are required to watch as the kids hunt and kill each other.
2. Do you see any parallels between the Games and the society that condones them, and other related events and cultures in the history of the world?
You know, I did at the time I was reading the book. But now I cannot think of an exact example. Sorry! Anyone else??
3. What aspects of our popular culture (like Reality TV) do you see reflected in this story?
Well, as mentioned, Reality TV. How much is staged, how much is real—and how many people actually like to watch it?! ick.
There's also that whole glamorize to please an audience. Very Hollywood.
4. Do you think Katniss did the right thing to fight for the equipment?
Well, I thought it was quite helpful that she had something rather than nothing. But the fight to get there? It is hard for me to justify that. I can’t think of the word that describes this selfish, ravenous beast-like behavior that so many of the tributes switched over to, but it is something that is scary while also being repulsive and disgusting.
It makes me wonder how much of that behavior comes from the idea driven into them that they must survive. What would I do? The idea of harming let alone killing someone is so appalling. But would I really be so desperate to stay alive that I would hurt someone? Or would my pacifist tendencies result in me just allowing myself to be killed? The whole scenario is very thought-provoking for me, as far as wondering what I would do.
Some would say that this is a bit extreme to contemplate what I would do. Perhaps. But think on other situations that were real. Like Hurricane Katrina. How vastly different so many acted, and a lot of those actions were not Christlike in any way. When survival kicks in, who am I and what am I willing or unwilling to do?
5. When did you realize/believe that Peeta’s feelings for Katniss were real, and how did you feel about his feelings for her?
I thought Peeta’s feelings for Katniss were real from the moment he declared them. I thought it was believable that he could have admired her from a distance for so long—and the bread instance really stuck with me. The whole “playing to the audience’s sympathy” ploy didn’t deter me one bit. I figured Peeta just let Haymitch use his truth. Besides—it helped stretch out the story more!
I loved that he had those feelings, but got so mad at her for not really seeing him and those feelings for what they were. For taking him so for granted in many ways. Maybe because I was rather taken with him already and have a thing about wanting a guy to think of and feel for me as Peeta did for Katniss. Am I terrible and predictable and silly? Don’t answer—I know I am.
