What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel?

One of the main themes of this novel is survival. The purpose of the Hunger games is to stay alive. Throughout the novel, Katniss and Peeta were only thinking and trying to do one thing. Keep the other alive.

Throughout the book Katniss and Peeta both want the other to survive more than themselves.  They both did everything in their power to keep the other alive in the arena, however they didn’t know they were doing so. This is because Haymitch made two opposing promises to them both that he would help do whatever he could to keep the other alive, therefore lying to both of them. Haymitch’s final advice to Katniss and Peeta before entering the arena was “stay alive.”  

Another theme is loyalty. There is loyalty shared between Gale and Katniss, as Gale has been friends with Katniss for a very long time. Peeta and Katniss are also very loyal to each other because they survived the first games together and have been by each other’s sides ever since and throughout the second games as well. Katniss is also loyal to her family and to the capital. 

What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

The setting of the arena in the Quarter Quell really made for an interesting and suspenseful setting. The arena was designed to look like a clock. Every hour something would happen in a section of the arena. The arena was a very small circle that was split into 12 sections, each for a different hour of the day. In the center of the island of the arena was the Cornucopia surrounded by vast amounts of salt water. Then there was a jungle on the outer ring of the arena.

It didn’t take long for the tributes to figure this rhythm. I found this very creative and added suspense and suspicion because you were always wondering what was to come.   

This is the cycle of the clock.

§  12-1 - Bursts of lightning hitting a single tree.

§  1-2 - Blood Raining down from sky.

§  2-3 - Corrosive fog spreading though jungle.

§  3-4 - Orange Monkey-like mutts attack.

§  4-5 - Jabber jays torture Tributes with loved ones screams.

§  5-6 - unknown

§  6-7 - unknown muttation that rips one tribute into five pieces, named "Beast" by Peeta.

§  7-8 - unknown

§  8-9 - unknown

§  9-10 - unknown

§  10-11 - Tidal wave hits beach.

§  11-12 - unknown. From the sound of clicks, Katniss guesses that it is Insect-like mutts with pincers swarm.

This cycle was repeated periodically to match the time, with each hour triggering a new event, each event was carried out twice in one day.

Did certain parts make you feel uncomfortable? if so, why?

 Some of the scenes that make me feel slightly uncomfortable are the times where people died. A scene that sticks out takes place in district 11, home of Katniss’ friend and ally in the hunger games, Rue. This tragic part happens during the victory tour shortly after Peeta and Katniss make their speech, thanking them for their tributes. When the speech ends and old man starts to whistle the tune that Rue used in the arena to tell Katniss that she was safe. The song acts as a signal, and everyone salutes Katniss using the same gesture that she used to say farewell to Rue. As this is happening Katniss is taken away, but not before she out of view she sees Peacekeepers shoot the whistling man in the head. This part in the novel makes me feel upset and a little uncomfortable because an innocent man was murdered for doing a thoughtful thing. I know a lot of this takes place in the Hunger Games trilogy, however this specific scene sticks out in my mind because I really don’t think he should have been killed for the gesture he performed. It meant a lot to Katniss. 

President Snow

Another part of the novel that makes my stomach sink is when President Snow announces the Quarter Quell in which Katniss and Peeta will be heading back to the arena to compete in their second hunger games.

 

blog#4-What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

What I found very unique about the setting of the novel the Hunger Games is that it takes place in the future. Also the author, Suzanne Collins, made it somewhat realistic because she used North America, a place we now call home, destroyed it, split it up into 13 different districts and made it an entire new place. A place called Panem. This setting involved everything from the richest of the rich to the poorest of the poor, poverty and even war when the author dropped a bomb and explained how they’re were 13 districts however the 13th was destroyed, leaving 12 districts left. I think this creative setting enhanced the story. I think it really enhanced it because it connected you to the story, in a sense that of curiosity. It got you thinking ‘what if this was to actually happen?’ Obviously I don’t believe this would ever happen, however it gave a very personal twist to the story.

The setting of the Hunger Games. 

Blog#3- what spacific themes did the author empahasize throughout the novel?

There are multiple themes for the novel the Hunger games. I think the main theme that the author wanted to emphasize is generally about the many things that go wrong in society. For example war, starvation, poverty, unequal distribution, and violence. These are issues that have affected us and our world for a long time. I think the author, Suzanne Collins, goal was to get the reader thinking and trying to relate these issues to their own lives. She may have even been trying to show us that one person can make a very strong impact on the world today and that we are not to give up without a fight. J  The author shows this theme in many ways. For instance, war and violence is shown throughout the hunger games when all of the tributes are in a battle to the death. Starvation is shown throughout the districts, as well as poverty in the lower districts. Lastly, unequal distribution is shown in all of Panem. This range begins at the Capital and makes its way down the districts, 1 through 12.

blog#2- How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story?

Throughout the first novel the characters relationships develop and get stronger, and so do the characters themselves. Katniss Everdeen starts out as a shy, homely girl before the games take place. During the opening ceremonies Katniss is placed in a simple black unitard that covers her from ankle to neck, shiny leather boots that lace up to her knees and an orange flaming cape. This was just the beginning and Katniss begins stepping out of her comfort zone. The main relationship that evolves throughout the duration of the novel is the love shared between Katniss and Peeta Mellark. Peeta is the town baker’s son and more importantly the male tribute chosen from district 12. In the beginning of the book he saved Katniss’ life when she was 11 years old by giving her bread when her family was starving, but the two never talked until the Games. Peeta and Katniss’ romance heats up the Hunger games and  the two ‘star-crossed lovers, as they are called in the story, end up winning the Hunger Games together!

Katniss and Peeta the 'star-crossed lovers'

Blog#1- Do the characters seem real and believable?

The characters in the Hunger Games are very realistic and believable. To name a few;

Katniss Everdeen is the main character and the narrator of the book. Katniss is your everyday girl who is slightly shy in school. She is 16, has long black hair which she wears in a braid, olive skin, and gray eyes. She lives with her mom and her younger sister Prim in district 12. District 12 is the poorest of all districts’, and is in charge of mining coal for the capital. So, in order to feed her mother and sister Katniss goes hunting weekly in the forbidden woods with her childhood friend gale.  Throughout the reaping of the 74^th hunger games, Katniss bravely takes her little sisters place to become a tribute.

Primrose (Prim) Everdeen is Katniss’ younger 12 year old sister. Prim's face described as "very pretty and is as fresh as a raindrop, as lovely as the primrose for which she was named." She, like her mother, has blonde hair and blue eyes. This leaves her looking nothing at all like her sister.

Gale Hawthorne is Katniss’ childhood friend and hunting partner. Like Katniss, he has black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes however is one year older than Katniss. Gale is in love with and very devoted to Katniss, however she is oblivious to this until the second novel 'catching fire'.

These are just three of the many amazing, well thought out characters that are introduced throughout the Hunger Games trilogy. These characters are very realistic and relate to me in many ways in my everyday life. Suzanne Collins is a phenomenal writer.