Poverty In The Hunger Games

Poverty seems to be the ever present stain on every society. In the current world, poverty is common problem for both developed and undeveloped countries. The aspect of poverty is addressed in the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and plays out in how the characters interact with each other. Katniss Everdeen, one of the key characters in the story, is an example of how poverty shapes ones character and outlook towards life. Katniss and her family originate form District 12, which is the poorest district in the dystopian nation of Panem. Despite her less than glamorous history, Katniss rises above her poverty-stricken image to outshine those who have higher social status. This paper will show that poverty shapes Katniss in three ways through the three literary elements of setting, tone and mood, and personification. The first way poverty shapes Katniss, is gaining skills while growing up in one of the poorest district. “In theory it is supposed to be electrified twenty four hours a day as a

Katniss shows her courage in form of tone and mood. The Capitol designs a barbaric game in form of Hunger Games and describes the purpose as, the Capitols way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy” (Collins 19).Katniss explains the districts are enslaved by the Capitol in that all the 13 districts activities are watched including their access to rations such as food. Katniss reveals a tone that is both fearful and hopeful in which she enters the lottery game to get more food for her family. Katniss continues to show a panicked mood and tone when she realizes she has to face the likes of Peeta. She says, Boys who are two to three times my size. Girls who know twenty different ways to kill you with a knife” (Collins 37). This implies that her chances of winning are non-existent, yet she participates in the