Argumentative Essay On Hunger Games

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The Truth Behind Reality TV

A fictional tale, Hunger Games depicts a narrative of savagery with imaginary events based on oppression and survival. As Katha Pollitt describes, “… [in] a savage satire of late capitalism called Panem, the story of Hunger Games [portrays] a dystopian future version of North America…” (554). Behind such fictitious story lies a strong message that relates to today’s influence of American’s Reality Television. Just like the Hunger Games audience, the American TV viewers take pleasure in watching people destroy themselves behind the screen (554). A disturbing phenomenon, Pollit’s essay effectively conveyed that Hunger Games might one day resemble American’s Reality Television Shows.

The main objective of Hunger …show more content…

Since law governs modern civilization, infliction of harm (e.g. savagery) is not permitted. Other Hunger Game methods like elimination and survival share a common theme to today’s reality shows. For example, the televised and monitored themes on Survivor and Big Brothers resemble the Hunger Games concept. The contestants or housemates from the Big Brothers are monitored in a large house. Except for the audio microphones, the housemates are secluded for three months without the technological comforts of cellphones and other electronic gadgets. The rule of the game is eviction and the last housemate left wins the prize. The same concept applies with the Survivor. The first to reach the final destination wins the prize. Unlike the Big Brothers wherein competition takes place in one setting, Survivor is pumping with adrenaline as they find their clues through unfamiliar settings in local and foreign countries. Just like the Hunger Games participants, both the Big Brothers and Survivor contestants are expected to compete or eliminate each other until one is left …show more content…

As the fictitious character of Katniss Everdeen captured the 21st century audience, so does the viewer of American reality television. Taken into account the influences of American reality shows, there’s just so much a parent can monitor children’s TV viewing. It’s a given fact that the young mimics the adults and as such, if these reality icons influence a supposedly mature adult, how much more of youngsters? In as much as I want to argue that it all depends on one’s moral standards, it seems to be apparent that the influence of today’s American reality TV may be perceived as psychologically destructive. Hence, may one day contradict a supposedly civilized society governed by standards of right and

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