Emotional Pain In The Hunger Games

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Hook

“Emotional pain. Often associated with the harsh stab of words, the agony of losing your sanity, and your thoughts blurring the lines that are marked right and wrong.

Background Info (introduction to the two books you will discuss)

“Matched by Ally Condie and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, both explore how far a person would go to protect the ones they love, while trying to rebel against the powerful ones they hate. Both explore the world of emotional pain

Summary of arguments

Both books have the protagonists controlled by this higher form of government. Both have two male friends/lovers by there side. Katniss must endure physical as well as emotional pain. Cassia only endures emotional pain.

Thesis (a statement that …show more content…

“When I was younger, I scared my mother to death, the things I would blurt out about District 12, about the people who rule our country, Panem, from the far-off city called the Capitol. Eventually I understood this would only lead us to more trouble.”

“All I can think is how unjust the whole thing is, the Hunger Games. Why am I hopping around like some trained dog trying to please people I hate?”

“The rules of the Hunger Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes to participate. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins.”

Link it back to the thesis

Imagine a world where the only way to survive is to be emotionally dead, to get off the radar of the Government that controls you. These quotes, about Katniss not saying anything about the Capitol, about the rules of The Hunger Games, about pleasing people that you absolutely hate, are perfect examples of what Katniss has to go through in order to serve justice for her family, and for all the others who are under The Capitol’s power. It’s the perfect example of emotional …show more content…

Evidence from first book

"Gale gave me a sense of security I'd lacked since my father's death [...] Being out in the woods with Gale…sometimes I was actually happy."

"The idea of actually losing Peeta hit me again and I realized how much I don't want him to die.”

Link back to the thesis

Choosing between two people that you love has to be one of the most difficult choices a human can make. In Katniss’s case, if she begins to show feelings toward one, the other will be killed by the Capitol. Staying neutral between two people you love, must take a huge toll on your emotional sanity.

Evidence from second book

“Even though I am falling for Ky, it is impossible not to love Xander…”

Link back to thesis

Choosing between what path you are expected to take, and a path you want to take. For Cassia she must marry Xander, her lifelong friend, which doesn’t sound to bad. Until she meets Ky, who makes Cassia feel a different kind of love, a love that isn’t like Xander’s. Suppressing your rebellious feelings, in addition to wanting to protection your loved ones, must take a huge toll on your emotional sanity.

Concluding

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