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

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

In a lot of dystopias that don't necessary emerge because of the state, corporatism is the cause of the dystopia. So if looking for a dystopia in which that is the case, I would look into Wall-e, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Soylent Green, or Player Piano (even though that's more crony capitalism). I would also look into The Iron Heel, in which the dystopia emerges due to an oligarchy of capitalists.

I think these are significant:

“Here's some advice. Stay alive.”
-The Hunger Games

“I really can't think about kissing when I've got a rebellion to incite. ”
-Catching Fire

“We had to save you because you're the mockingjay, Katniss," says Plutarch. "While you live, the revolution lives.”
-Catching Fire

“What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again.”
-Mockingjay

I especially enjoy the last one, because even though the idea of hope is shadowed in the dystopian setting, it's still there. I love how quotes like this capture that.

Alluding to 20th Century totalitarianism is an incredibly useful way to convey the ideas of panem. After all, many dystopias are inspired by 20th century totalitarianism and it is only fitting to make that connection clear through the architecture in a film adaptation.

The set design confirms and illustrates the warnings, in the same way that the language and descriptions in the work illustrates the threats of the overwhelming government. This is an enormously useful tool because it is subtle enough to not overwhelm the reader with its messages, but it clearly establishes the dystopian atmosphere and its themes.

I am a senior at Florida State University and I'm studying English Literature and Humanities. My primary focus is in Dystopian fiction and I'm very happy that Learn Liberty provided this course. In fact, I would love to see more Learn Liberty Academy topics pertaining to liberty and the humanities. After college, I hope to take a year to decide whether I want to focus on Academia or work at a liberty-oriented nonprofit. I'm very happy that learn liberty provides this opportunity though, and I would call for more topics like this.

I'm not sure if this has been addressed, but an important theme that really sticks out to me is family. There are very few dystopias with a clear and influential familial presence, and the fact that The Hunger Games possesses this is really saying something. Katniss volunteers for Prim and acts throughout the series in order to keep her safe. This displays that despite the oppressive dystopian setting, there is still solidarity within a family unit.

I absolutely think that the added layers make The Hunger Games more compelling. It's common for authors to incorporate intertextual examples (most commonly from things the Bible, Greek and Roman mythology, and very commonly Shakespeare) in order display their knowledge and build their credibility with the reader. Also, it typically makes the work more complex which also builds their credibility and makes the work more interesting in general.

However, in terms of whether or not these intertextual connections sharpen the focus around themes such as liberty and power, I would say that while these connections reinforce those themes, they are utilized mostly to build her credibility, and don't necessarily sharpen the focus, but add support for her already established claims on liberty and power.