The Hunger Games question

As I mentioned in a comment above, by Collins not explaining what happened to our present-day North America it actually lends to the horrific nature of what may have happened. I don't want a prequel. I want to think "jesus, what the hell happened that wiped everyone out?" because you know it was bad. I actually think it's a fairly clever plot device that lends itself to the overall dystopian feel of the story.

Good question! I dont know. she should have provided a reason. ):

there was a flood. Through the flood most of the world went underwater. The people who survived the flood made a new government--Panem.

The book mentions natural disasters (some caused by man, like floods cause by warming) and also nuclear war.

Here is my theory:

America got fed up with the rest of the world do they secrectly made Nuclear bombs (hope that is how you spell it) The other country's found out what America was doing so America finally said they would stop. After a while America was fed up with the other country's again, but instead of trying to start a war they decided to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. That was going pretty good until some of the citizens were tired of it. The U.S. government decided they were going to stop that, so they took there nuclear bombs and started setting them off in other country's. They American citizens rebelled, but finally everything was under control and they made a new county called Panem with 13 district.

Good question. It appears that only a portion of the country is in use anymore. Whether that is due to natural or nuclear destruction is an interesting debate. Also the mere fact that only part of the country is populated suggests that the populations has been significantly reduced compared to the current numbers.
I am guessing it was a combination of many factors, seclusion and cutting ties with other countries. Possibly due to war or maybe even a widespread illness that affected the Earth. Since the story seems to suggest the only area that can not be lived in due to nuclear fall out is 13 I am going to guess there was not a world wide nuclear war that caused our seclusion. Simply because nuclear fallout can remain hundreds and hundreds of years after an event. Katniss never mentions any other area being like that, however, it is not likely she would know as the Capitol did not educate their Districts.

I kind hope that Collins writes a prequal where she explains how Panem comes into existance!

I think that everyone dies then life comes back and they create panem. It could be possible.

Prequel.......

Here's my theory having read the first book and seen the film:

During the political turmoil of the 1930s depression US history somehow takes a different turn and a Fascist government somewhat similar to those at the time in Germany, Italy and Spain comes into power. Some kind of civil war or rebellion ensues with some catasphrophic consequences. The Fascist government retains control but imposes its terrible tribute on its colonies as one means of maintaining its dominance.

Another interesting "what if" novel which has influenced my perception of The Hunger Games is The Plot Against America by Philip Roth in which Charles Lindburgh, a Fascist sympathiser, wins the 1940 presidential election against Roosevelt.

What do you think?

This is a great discussion... !!

While reading I thought it was more in the future, than current day. I was imaging all of the terrible things we, as Americans and worldwide, do to our people each day. Poor children who go for days without eating, inequality in the workplace, under-representation of those without money in elections... The message seemed to be "look what we're doing to ourselves!".

I thought she had said that it was a combination of war and natural disasters...

Another question would be - what about all the other countries in the world, what stands where they once were in this new world?

Both subjects for some fan fiction, methinks! :)

Love this discussion! I imagined the book taking place in the future and that America had fallen after a huge World War III. Panem was what remained of Canada and the US. I did wonder about what was going on in the rest of the world.

I hope she writes a prequel.

Brutality and human stupidity. Followed shortly by...brutality and human stupidity. I hope she never writes a prequel. We live in a time when authors are expected to spawn online worlds and insider guides for books that hardly deserve one. Collins knows where it should end.
But I WOULD like to know the names of her children. I'm calling the girl Rose for Primrose.

i personally think panem was made by natural causes!!!:):):):):):):) WHO LIKES LOLLIPOPS?????????????????????????????????:^ P.S THAT FACE IS A THINKING FACE!!!!!!!!;););) those winking faces i have just discovered them !!!!!!!!:):):):):):)