Hunger Games Vs. 1984: Dystopian Society

May 7th, 2012. Independent Study Unit: The Hunger Games vs. 1984 A Dystopian society is depicted as a vision of society in which conditions of life are miserable and characterized by poverty, oppression, war, violence, disease, pollution, and the abridgement of human rights – which all result in widespread unhappiness and suffering. The novel The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Michael Radford 's film 1984 of George Orwell both incorporate such dystopian societies expressed through themes of power, versions of reality, oppression and rebellion. In Micheal Radford 's film adaptation of George
Panem is composed of twelve districts, previously thirteen, living in very poor conditions deprived of riches taken by the Capitol for themselves. The thirteenth district had been destroyed effortlessly by this overpowering government as a result of their failed attempt at rebellion. The Hunger Games are set in place each year by the Capitol to serve as a harsh reminder of their exceptional power and capacity. These annual games are gruesome battles in which two contestant tributes are chosen per district to battle to death until one is left triumphant. “Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol 's way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy.” (Collins 1.76) The victor of the Games are granted a life of portioned wealth and fortune, and their respective district is rewarded accordingly. The boundless manipulation the Capitol imposes on the inhabitants of Panem is horrifying and intimidating, exemplifying their sheer forcefulness, fearlessness, and
Ordinary for Panem 's citizens is defined through their habitual routines, all within the set boundaries of each district. If one were to reach beyond their fenced in district, it is said that dangers lurk and safety is limited. However the reality of such living conditions is comparable to that of reality television portrayed in our world today – extremely deceiving. Such deception is evident through the contrived environment of the Hunger Games themselves. Danger is amplified through the inclusions of mutated creatures designed to hunt tributes, climate wielded, disasters imposed to create havoc and chaos, and stripped of ever changing resources. “It 's true. We spent one Hunger games watching the players freeze to death at night . . . It was considered very anti-climactic in the Capitol, all those quiet bloodless deaths. Since then, there 's usually been wood to make fires.” (Collins 3.34-35) Provided that these dangers are included to increase entertainment for the viewers of the Games, the Capitol may change the environment that the tributes reside in effortlessly to better these values. In saying this, it is evident that the concept of true reality is non-existent under the Capitol 's