Catching Fire Book Vs Movie Essay

By comparing and contrasting the Catching Fire novel and film, one can see that the film was effective in conveying some themes, and was not effective in conveying others. Hope is a major theme in the entire Hunger Games trilogy, although in Catching fire it becomes more apparent because of the start of the rebellion and the people’s interest in turning against the capitol. In both the novel and film this theme is shown through acts of unity and fury against the capitol. Symbolism and humane vs. inhumane acts are themes shown more clearly at times either in the Catching Fire novel or the Catching Fire film. These themes show the similarities and differences between the Catching Fire novel and film.
“Up and down the row, the victors begin to join hands,” (Collins 258). This act of hope and rebellion is a major moment that occurs in both film and novel. One can see that in the novel this was a clear act of defiance to show the capitol that they can not stop the people from defying them. When the victors joined hands it gave not only them, but all of the people living in the districts hope that the capitol does not

truly have complete control over anyone, which is why the recap over the televisions was cancelled. In the film, the same thing happens and it gives the people the same hope and hatred against the capitol. This is shown through the audience going wild when the tributes begin to hold hands.
Another theme shown in the Catching Fire novel and film is symbolism. In both, the arena is shaped like a clock. This takes Katniss and the rest of the tributes some time to figure out but once they do, it is greatly beneficial. However, in the novel, before the games Plutarch Heavensbee shows Katniss his watch, which has a mockingjay symbol in the middle. Heavensbee is trying to help Katniss to figure out the arena and once she does figure it out, she realizes Heavensbee was trying to help. In the film, Plutarch Heavensbee does not show Katniss his watch, nor is it clear that he even owns one. He has the same intentions of helping Katniss but it is less obvious to viewers since the act of showing her the watch was to symbolize that he is on her side, in the film this did not occur.
All throughout the Hunger Games trilogy the Capitol is trying to make tributes seem less humane than normal people living in the districts.

For example, in the Catching Fire film when Katniss almost shoots Finnick, President Snow is watching and hoping that she shoots, so people see her as less humane. What the Capitol does not want people to see is the softer side of Katniss Everdeen. In the novel while on the victory tour in District 11, a man who starts whistling the mockingjay song gets shot. Katniss sees this as her fault and begins to panic before being taken away. Although she is in a panic, she does not lash out very much and is relatively calm. In the film, when this scene occurs Katniss panics, cries, and shows just how humane she really is. She cares for the people of the districts and this is something the Capitol does not want people to

see.
When made into a film, Suzanne Collins Catching Fire held similar ideas and themes, although there were certain obvious differences. Along with numerous differences there were also a select amount of similarities. Hope is a theme that is shown very clearly in both novel and film. Katniss strikes up the beginning of a revolution in the districts because she in both novel and film, gives the people hope for a better life and the courage to stand up to the Capitol. Symbolism is clearly a big part in both the novel and film, with the arena being designed as a clock, but there is more symbolism shown in the novel when Katniss is shown the watch as a clue. The Capitol tries to get the people to see Katniss as very inhumane because they do not want people looking up to her. In the film, Katniss is shown as more humane than inhumane and the people in the districts see this. In the novel however, she is seen as more cold and detached. These themes are all present in both novel and film but are all shown in different ways and by highlighting different scenes.