The movie “The Hunger Games” has many similarities and relations to World Mythology. While it may not seem like this movie is as myth related as others, such as Troy and Thor, many of the themes and situations in the movie were inspired by the stories of the great myths and epics. The overall theme of the movie is courage, strength, and destiny. The first theme in the movie that is similar to that of mythology is sacrifice. “The Hunger Games” begins with the reaping, a ceremony where one male and one female child from each District are chosen to participate in the Hunger Games to fight to the death. The children are chosen as a sacrifice to pay for the past wrong doings of their ancestors. The ritual begins and a video plays to the audience stating “This is a reminder of the rebellion, a price the districts have to pay. Freedom has a cost; we swore as a nation that we would never know this treason again. So it was said that one female and one male child from each district will be chosen each year to fight to the death as tribute. This is how we remember our past, this is how we secure our future.” The requirement of a sacrifice to ensure survival and food will be available for the future is similar to the sacrifices of many ancient cultures; specifically that of Egyptian myth. Osiris was killed and his body torn to shreds by his brother, Set. Everywhere that Osiris’ body was spread; abundant crops grew as a supply from the Gods. This also relates to the myth of Persephone, who was kidnapped by Pluto and brought to the underworld. Each year when Persephone returned to earth the world would flower with abundant growth, when Persephone went back to the underworld, all plant life ceased to exist until she returned again. This shows ... ... middle of paper ... ...nt, Katniss decides not to play by the rules anymore and she splits a handful of poison berries with Peeta. She decides that she is not going to let the “Gods” manipulate the game anymore. Right before they eat the berries the leader’s voice comes overhead and tells them that they have both one. The reason he decides to do this is because the crowd would be incredibly disappointed if the “show” ended this way. This is Katniss’ true show of courage, to defy the leaders/Gods and make her own ending. It can be said that this was Katniss’ destiny or fate: that she was meant to win the Hunger Games. Works Cited Rosenberg, Donna. World Mythology: An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics. 5th ed. Lincolnwood, IL: NTC Pub. Group, 1994. Print. Murty, Govindini. "Decoding the Influences in "The Hunger Games"" The Atlantic. The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2013.
This web article talks about the different religious imagery used in The Hunger Games but also draws attending to how there is no direct reference to God, Christ or any religion of any kind within the series.
When her and her ally and love interest Peeta reach the center of the Arena in which they are fighting for their lives, they not only run into their biggest rival – another boy named Cato who had been set up throughout as a villain – but also the murderous creations of the those who put them there. It is a gruesome fight that results in Cato’s horrifying death, and the survival of Peeta and Katniss, but only one of them can live. This ultimatum drives Katniss to take a calculated risk: if both of them die, the Capitol has no winner, and the games must always provide a glimmer of hope for effective control, thus if they threaten suicide, they can both get out alive. It works, and they are delivered from the belly of the
Shmoop Editorial Team. "The Hunger Games Allusions and Cultural References." Shmoop.com. Shmoop University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 04 Apr. 2014. .
When Gary Ross’ 2012 adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ famous novel ‘The Hunger Games’ exploded on screens, it was received as an action-packed, thrilling story of survival, determination and over-coming corruption. Audience’s watched in equal parts awe and horror as Katniss was thrust into Panem’s battle arena and fought for justice, family and friendship. However, if we as an audience think more critically about the film; if we think beyond the wild costumes, gripping action and skilful performances, we can see that the story explores complex philosophical ideas that strongly relate to the experiences of humanity in the real world.
The dystopia of The Hunger Games and the societal ill from the Holocaust are inevitably similar among many aspects. The totalitarian governments of both societies are what draws them together, as well as the theme of death and violence in each. It is unbearable to think that something so similar to the Hunger Games, but even worse, actually occurred. The oppressive societal control and the illusion of a "perfect" society are ultimately both factors that the societies in The Hunger Games and the Holocaust maintained.
It has often been said that there is nothing new under the sun. In this vein, authors across all literary genres often borrow themes and plot from the stories of long ago. Many of those authors choose to borrow from the rich mythology of the ancient Greeks. Suzanne Collins has been asked on numerous occasions where the idea for The Hunger Games originated. She readily admits that the characters and plot come from Greek mythology and more specifically, from Theseus and the Minotaur (Margolis 30). One familiar with both both stories can easily recognize the identical framework upon which each of these stories are built. Both Theseus and Katniss Everdeen, Collins’ heroine, volunteer to go into battle for their respective homelands, they both fight beasts of strange origin, and they are both brave in battle and emerge victorious, but it is the uniqueness of the characters that makes each story appropriate for the time period and audience to which it belongs. Collins modernizes the classic hero of Theseus by changing his gender, his motivations and altering his selfish personality, and by doing these things she creates a heroine that better resonates with today's audience of young adults.
Though many societies are different from each other in appearance, they have more aspects in common than some may expect. This is very true in the societies in the movie, The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross, and the short story, “The Lottery,” written by Shirley Jackson. The Hunger Games is about the struggle of a young woman who is trying to survive a deadly competition between multiple people drawn and nominated to fight to the death for sport due to a failed revolt against the government. “The Lottery” is a story about how families are picked at random with one member getting stoned to death and how a young woman decides to stand up to her society. Both The Hunger Games and “The Lottery” have many similarities in regards to tradition
The contest within The Hunger Games is rooted deep in the film's backstory, in which the nation of Panem was rocked by a civil war. Twelve oppressed Districts rose up against an oppressive Capitol, and the end result of this civil war was a Capitol victory (Hunger Games). In response to the rebellion of its outer provinces, the government of Panem decreed the creation of the Hunger Games, in which each District would send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to fight in a battle to the death, until only one Victor emerged supreme, who would then, “be showered with glory”, by the Capitol, in order to show the mercy and ...
The Hunger Games was a good movie when it came out. This movie refers to a dystopia world in which there are 12 districts and a capitol who rules with an iron fist, in which the districts must provide a tribute to fight in an annual Hunger Game as a punishment for a past rebellion. Katniss Everdeen is a hunter from the 12th district, which Gale, her friend gives her tips on hunting. One day her sister, Primrose Everdeen, is chosen for the Hunger Games, and in order to save her, she volunteers instead to serve in the Games along with Peeta Mellark. During a TV interview, Peeta confesses her love for Katniss Everdeen, which causes the enragement of the latter; however, she later forgives him as he explains to her that it was only to gain sponsors. During the Hunger Games, she did not receive a lot of supplies except some medicine to cure a wound, but Districts 1 and 2 almost won the Game due to their training, and amount of supplies which Katniss destroys but cannot recover any of them. The Hunger Games was one of the best movies I ever watched because it has a little bit of everything and it captures the real-life survival game that we live on a daily basis.
Throughout the story it is clear that there are many important and detailed moments but in my opinion one of the most important moments is when Katniss and Peeta try to eat the berries, but to analyse that I have to look at the the things leading up to it. Such as when Katniss and Peeta triumphed over Cato and when the capitol told them that only one could win. These events caused Katniss and Peeta to almost eat the berries so that they both could win. I think this gives great insight onto what is going on in the heads of not just Katniss and Peeta but also the Capitol. This show that Peeta and Katniss both disagree with most of the Capitols laws, Which could mean that they are starting to form thought of a rebellion, Because they said
Since she is the female victor from district 12, she is in the 74th Hunger Games. She sees how painful and scary it is and so she tries to stop the capital which is who is controlling everything. She doesn’t want that to happen to anyone else. She rebels against President Snow in plan of eventually killing him to take over the capital and change the world. Teens can relate to this because a lot of the time we feel controlled. It might be by a parent, teacher, grandparent or someone else but all of us are controlled by someone. A lot of teenagers end up rebelling because they feel as if they have no choices. They go against the rules of who they are rebelling against. That persons rules and values are not necessarily right. Who decides what is right? It seems as if we have entered into a state time where there is no right and wrong. Katniss breaks free of that control and does her own thing. Another way teens can relate to the hunger games is through the love triangle. Some of us might have a similar situation of where we might like two people. In the movie it says, “What I need is not Gales fire, kindled with rage and hatred. I have plenty of fire myself. What I need is the dandelion in the spring. The bright yellow that means rebirth instead of destruction. The promise that life can go on, no matter how bad our losses. That it can be good again. And only Peeta can
In a not-too-distant, some 74 years, into the future the United States of America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war, to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 13 districts. Each year, two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games; these children are referred to as tributes (Collins, 2008). The Games are meant to be viewed as entertainment, but every citizen knows their purpose, as brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts. The televised games are broadcasted throughout Panem as the 24 participants are forced to eradicate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch. The main character throughout the series is a 16-year-old girl from District 12 named Katniss Everdeen.
Rosenburg, Donna. World Mythology: An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics. Third Edition. Chicago: NTC/Contemporary Publishing Group, Inc., 1999. Text.
Rosenberg, Donna. World Mythology: An Anthology of the Great Myths and Epics. Illinois: Passport Books, 1988.