Response and analysis

Hunger Games The Capitol possesses enormous power over the citizens and that looks very strange to me as to the citizen of a free democratic country. As Capitol can be regarded as a form of government, it is evident that the authority it has is much exceeded. Any totalitarian regime which does not have opposition sooner or later becomes what is described in Collin`s books- almighty and uncontrollable ready to destroy the lives of its citizens. The life of the city is thus regulated with the help of one effective tool-fear. Many countries have passed this way, such as the USSR or China, and many still live in such conditions like North Korea. The Capitol treats its citizens as slaves totally belonging to the machine of power, and in such circumstances human life is worth absolutely nothing. People can vanish, they can literally die on the TV screen and again nobody will be concerned. Totalitarian regimes are obsessed with the idea of possible revolution and overthrow that is why the Capitol aims to ensure its power by reminding people their place and their worth:
“ Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. Whatever words they use, the real message is clear. “ Look how we take your children and 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)
How do you see the Capitol, and what do you think of their view on people and the districts?
As I already mentioned, the primary aim of the Capitol is to constantly remind people that their lives are worth nothing for the authority and that they can “ disappear” anytime. And creating Hunger Games is very effective tool in imposing fear, but broadcasting them on TV has more serious meaning. By doing this the Capitol shows people`s their own worst instinctive qualities – violence and lust for blood. And so it turns out that on the one hand citizens are scared to become victims of the Capitol`s power but on the other, when they manage to save their lives, they become animals in their desire to see someone else`s glamorized death on the screen. So literally they join the Capitol in its obsession with violence becoming decent representatives of regime. There is no possibility to tell what is real on the TV show and what is fake, even such things as love and friendship:
“ It’s messing with my mind too much, trying to keep straight when we’re supposedly friends and when we’re not. At least when we get into the arena, I’ll know where we stand. “ Don’t. Don’t let’s pretend when there’s no one around”.
It is the power of Television that makes people forget about reality of life and feelings. Of course, Collins shows extreme version of reality show but it seems to me that with the auditory insatiable appetites broadcasting real harm to people on the screen is not that far away.
Do you agree with me about the games being entertainment to them just like TV is to us?
Discussion Questions
1. Is there a possibility to actually win in Hunger Games for a tribute?
2. Is it to justify violence on the screen?