Gender Stereotypes In The Hunger Games

In this essay, an analysis is made between the two female protagonists from the two popular dystopian fiction trilogies, The Hunger Games and Divergent. The character’s traits are explained to prove that Katniss Everdean and Beatrice “Tris” Prior are both exceptional characters that exhibit non-traditional female gender qualities in fiction.

Keywords: Katniss Everdean, Tris Prior, The Hunger Games, Divergent, dystopian fiction, female gender stereotypes, gender roles

Female Characters Who Overcome Gender Stereotypes

Today’s young adults are reading a variety of fictional novels for entertainment. One of the more popular genres is categorized as dystopian literature. Dystopian literature generally focuses on government control and oppression

as a central theme, while brave characters battle against those structures. Specifically, The Hunger Games and Divergent trilogies are prevalent books in the dystopian genre. Because media is influential in modern culture, portraying women as self-sufficient, unique, and heroic is important. These novels depict young women protagonists uniquely, and help to change the opinion of the traditional female character. These heroines show immense strength and courage while still remaining quite human.
The protagonists face different circumstances, but they share similar traits. We can begin by understanding The Hunger Games heroine, Katniss Everdean. Katniss provides for her family by hunting and trading in a black market, though these acts are considered illegal in her district. Her mother suffers from a deep depression that renders her incapable to care for their family. Katniss inherits a father-like role. “At eleven years old…I took over as head of the family. There was no choice” (Collins, 2008, p. 27). Katniss’ position in her family feels masculine, because she is the caretaker and the provider, and in many fictional novels, women are not normally the head of the household. Furthermore, Katniss is so focused on supporting her family that by the conclusion of the first novel, she has not quite figured out who she is without this role. Katniss explains:
For the first time, I allow myself to truly think about the possibility that I might make it home…But then…what? What would my life be like on a daily basis? Most of it has been consumed with the acquisition of food. Take that away and I’m not really sure who I am, what my identity is. The idea scares me some. (Collins, 2008, p. 310-311)
This quote confirms Katniss’ dedication to taking care of her family. She did not ever consider that she would survive the Hunger Games, or that her family wouldn’t need her anymore. This idea scares her because she does not know what else to do in her life.
Near the beginning, in the critical part of the novel, Katniss sacrifices herself for her younger sister in order to protect her. In doing this, she is essentially surrendering herself for her family’s survival. She describes: “…in District 12, where the word tribute is pretty much synonymous with the word corpse, volunteers are all but extinct” (Collins, 2008, p. 22).
In the Divergent trilogy, Beatrice “Tris” Prior has a similar dedication and self-sacrificing attitude when it comes to her family and friends. When Tris is first introduced, her main concern is dishonoring her family by not remaining in their faction. Eventually, she does join an alternative faction, but she refuses to forget her past life. Tris clarifies: “I touch my collarbone, marking the path of [the tattooed birds] flight-toward my heart. One for each member of the family I left behind” (Roth, 2011, p. 90). Tris believes that her family is a large part of her own identity, enough to get a tattoo reminding herself of them. Tris says: “I belong to the people I love, and they belong to me-they, and the love and loyalty I give them, form my identity far more than any word or group could” (Roth, 2013, p. 455). Again, Tris’ inner monologue proves that she does not separate her identity from her family, and she believes her life belongs to the people she cares about. Repeatedly, she sacrifices herself in the series to try to save the people she cares about. However, Tris is not a perfect savior.
Despite the fact that Tris learns and grows immensely throughout the Divergent trilogy, which helps readers to connect with her, she has many faults. Firstly, Tris generally has low self-esteem and claims she is actually a selfish person. She claims again and again that she is not a selfless person and yet she proves the opposite multiple times by actually volunteering to die to save lives. Additionally, Tris is impulsive. She states: “I stare down the building’s steel girders and black windows… I am a fool for doing this. And a fool for enjoying the feeling of my heart slamming against my sternum and sweat gathering in the lines of my palms” (Roth, 2011, p. 220).
Tris continuously volunteers to do dangerous acts in the Dauntless faction. She sounds regrettable but seemingly enjoys risk taking.
Similar to Tris, Katniss also has a negative perception of herself. She is quite withdrawn throughout the Hunger Games trilogy. She doesn’t seek support from the other characters, and remains reclusive. Katniss explains: “Finally, he can see me for who I really am. Violent. Distrustful. Manipulative. Deadly” (Collins, 2010, p. 232). In this quote, Katniss lists undesirable qualities that she identifies herself as. She feels guilt over killing children in the Games, and has an antagonistic opinion of herself. Because of this, Katniss ends up blinded by anger and revenge near the end of the series. She states:
I feel the sickening impact of the skull against my shoe. The scent of blood and roses stings my nose. The pencil moves across the page on its own. I open my eyes and see wobbly letters. I KILL SNOW. If he’s captured, I want the privilege. (Collins, 2010, p. 38)
Katniss is reminded of the traumatizing deaths that had occurred in the Games. She wants revenge for those who have been killed, and she wants revenge for herself.
Since Katniss and Tris are not one-dimensional characters, they seem humanistic and distinctive. If readers were not aware that Katniss was a woman, they may think she was a man simply from her traits. She is an independent and strong person; she does not require any help and does not seek it. She hunts alongside Gale as a partner often in the beginning of the series. Moreover, she dresses in a leather coat and boots. Katniss is an incredible archer and she fights on par with any of the male characters in the books. She is not initially interested in having a romantic relationship with either of the potential men in her life. In fact, she is quite confused over how she feels about it. “Before my fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark, announced he was madly in love with me. Our romance became a key strategy for survival in the arena. Only it wasn’t just a strategy for Peeta. I’m not sure what it was for me” (Collins, 2009, p. 9). Katniss is aware Peeta is in love with her, but is unsure if she reciprocates that feeling. She cannot distinguish if she has romantic feelings for Gale either. Katniss considers: “Someone they love. The words numb my tongue as if it’s been packed in snow coat. Of course, I love Gale. But what kind of love does she mean? What do I mean when I say I love Gale? I don’t know” (Collins, 2009, p. 125). Katniss is uncertain of her feelings, and she does not prioritize having any romantic relationship throughout the trilogy. She explains: “The very notion that I’m devoting any thought to who I want presented as my lover, given our current circumstances, is demeaning” (Collins, 2010, p. 40). Katniss finds it patronizing to be placed in this position, but it ends up being essential for her survival. In comparison, many fictional novels portray the girl characters encased in a romantic sub-plot, ending in a happy relationship. Tris’ story is along those lines, though not entirely.
Tris appears as a feminine character, at least near the beginning of the novels. She perceives herself as a plain, youthful-appearing girl, which she dislikes. She transforms her look by cutting her hair short and getting tattooed. Tris defies the typical expectations of a girlish appearance by changing her exterior. Tris describes:
He takes off his glasses and shoves them in his pocket, then runs a hand through his hair, his eyes skipping over mine nervously. Like he’s ashamed. Maybe I should be. I’m tattooed, loose-haired, and wearing tight clothes. But I’m just not. (Roth, 2010, p. 351)
Tris recognizes she does not look like the modest woman her brother, Caleb, would approve of, nevertheless, she’s not ashamed.

She also becomes a resourceful fighter through some persistent training. Her bravery becomes well-known throughout the faction. Zeke, from Divergent, states: “I have to say, I’m impressed that you aren’t screaming or crying right now.” Uriah, also from Divergent claims: “I told you, she’s [Tris] Dauntless through and through.” (Roth, 2010, p. 220) This quote signifies how other characters recognize Tris. She is not looked down upon in her faction despite being a young girl. Tobias also recognizes Tris’ strength in the books. Tobias explains: “I didn’t think it would affect you this way…Sometimes I forget that I can hurt you. That you are capable of being hurt.” Tris says: “[Tobias] did what he did because he believed in my strength” (Roth, 2010, p. 366). Tobias distinguishes Tris as extremely strong and capable, even forgetting that she can be hurt. This explains exactly how Tris is viewed by others in the novel. She is independent and intellectual in how she handles dire situations. Tris does have romantic thoughts about Tobias or “Four” rather quickly, but is reserved about the relationship at first. She claims: “I feel more like myself…And I am someone who does not let inconsequential things like boys and near-death experiences stop her” (Roth, 2010, p. 346). Tris sounds like she’s trying to convince herself of this in her thoughts but her actions actually prove this statement true. In the end, the personalities and traits of both Katniss and Tris don’t fit into the stereotypical female roles generally found in

literature.
While there are obvious differences between both of these characters, there are also many similarities in their personalities that are akin to other heroes and heroines. Katniss and Tris’ flaws are part of their strengths as protagonists and that helps readers to accept them easily as human characters. In young adult literature, it is important that women are being represented as independent and individualistic, because popular media is influential to modern culture.