Caitlin’s Comments (group member since Dec 16, 2013)

Caitlin’s comments from the On Tyrants & Tributes : Real World Lessons From The Hunger Games group.

I personally think the battle for freedom and the preservation of Liberty is a constant one. One that should be fought be intelligent and peaceful means. That being said, I would be called to action if I witnessed the blunt murder of my fellow citizens or complete deprivation of rights. I do not think the revolution should be fought directly with violence or anarchic terrorism. This is an age of technology. I think that with the right use of technology and media a revolution could be won with minimal deaths.

The two pieces of literature above to add more complex layers to the Hunger games story, but it makes it all the more compelling.

In the piece, "How Glorious Fall the Valiant: 'Careers' as Spartan Warriors", we see a variable that aided in the constant continuation of the games. The existence of the careers from the wealthier districts gave hope to the less districts for a better life, but at the same time made them realize the level of brutality they would have to achieve to win the games. If the careers did not establish the honor of winning the games then others may have had even less of a reason to fight. I think it is important to highlight the level of cunning it took to overcome the careers. In the end, Sparta was defeated by an overwhelming amount of Persians, not by the cunning of one individual. Those who won the games that were not careers, usually won due to strategic planning and cunning.

In the second piece, "Gifts of the Gods", highlights an important point of the games. That is the districts, and individuals contained within them, will always be dependent on the capitol. The districts depend on the capitol for food, medicine, and all other necessary resources for survival. This carries over into the games, where due to the environment the tributes are places that must beg or rely on the capital(Gods) for survival.
I also agree with the comment of Jeffery above, "The idea of granting the winner of the games riches and spoils for life, allows the people to believe that the capitol isn't devoid of goodness". Though it is the capital that makes the districts dependent on them, the idea of providing a better life encourages participation in the games. It portrays the capitol as a forgiving and generous entity, when in reality it is the source of all the issues.

In my opinion there are numerous themes that need to be explored when looking at the hunger games trilogy. Most importantly, what occurs when more power is placed with a central government instead of state level governments. It allows for the corruption of those in power, like President Snow, that could not occur on a small governmental scale. The next vitally important theme is that of surveillance verse freedom. Those who say you have nothing to fear if you have nothing to hide. The Hunger games paints a vivid, scary picture of what could be in store for the United States. That as you give up more freedom via surveillance, more and more laws will be created that criminalize you. To the extent that simply loving the wrong individual can paint a target on your back.

SPOILER ALERT: My favorite scene thus far in the movies is when Katniss's dress turns from a wedding dress into a mockingjay. To me this shows her bravery and the stark realization of the effect of the games on the people in the districts. The more President Snow tried to control her the more she rebelled. I think this shows the more you try to control people, especially who they love, the more they will fight authority.

I am currently a junior, political science major! I would love to finish my degree and continue on to law or grad school. I have specifically looked into joint degrees and have considered attempting a PhD. I would love to be able to represent the ideals in and outside of a courtroom one day, possibly work for a non-profit.