Preview

How Does The Hunger Games Present The Inequalities Between Rich And Poor?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
845 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Does The Hunger Games Present The Inequalities Between Rich And Poor?
‘The Hunger Games’ is a written/extended text (novel) written by Suzanne Collins, which is a dystopian novel written in the voice of a 16 year-old, Katniss Everdeen, who lives in a post-apocalyptic nation of Panem. The Capitol is a highly advanced metropolis, which has full authority and control of the entire nation that consists of 12 surrounding Districts. The Hunger Games itself, is an annual event where one by and one girl is selected as tributes from each of the 12 Districts to participate and compete in a televised battle till the death, where only the last one standing will be victorious.

One of the key idea in the text reveals the inequalities between the rich and poor. This idea is made evident through the division of Panem. The people of Panem are divided into 12 districts and welfare levels between the districts vary, although no district is nearly as wealthy as the Capitol. Because of the strict oppressive rules that are heavily enforced by the Capitol, almost everyone, especially the people of the poorer Districts, …show more content…
Katniss refers to the starvation and deprivation in District 12 when she says ‘In District 12 looking old is something of an achievement since so many people die early.’ Because of the technological differences and vast wealth that the Capitol possesses, in comparison to the other districts, especially District 12, they are able to control everything and are able to keep everyone in line by asserting their power using their so called ‘Peace Keepers’. This text goes over the contemplation that rich communities have the best of everything and so therefore they’re more powerful and able to control those who are less fortunate. This idea of inequalities between the Districts, more particularly District 12 and the Capitol itself, forced me to think of societies in the world that are more wealthy
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen Of District 12 In A Post Civil War Society
    • 1350 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen Of District 12 In A Post Civil War Society

    The Hunger Games The Hunger Games follow the story of Katniss Everdeen of district 12 in a post civil war society presumed to be a very futuristic yet abstract society known as Panem. Every year in this society there is a competition amongst the 12 districts called the hunger games, where two tributes; one boy and one girl, from each district are selected in a random drawing, to compete in a fight to the death as a way of punishing the districts for the rebellion that happened long in the past. This fight takes place over several days, or as long as it takes to finish. The winner of these games brings a great deal of pride to their district as well as securing fame and fortune for themselves.…

    • 1350 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Katniss Character Analysis
    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Katniss Character Analysis

    In the fictional novel, The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, a girl named Katniss has to fight for her life in the 74th annual Hunger Games. The book focused on Katniss volunteering to be in the Hunger Games and her journey to the arena. Also, it focused on her battling to win with her partner Peeta after a rule change allowing both to win. The three topics addressed in the exciting book are characterization, conflict, and themes.…

    • 720 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Sociology of "Hunger Games"
    • 1705 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Sociology of "Hunger Games"

    This is the story of the 74th Hunger Games and at the center of it is Katniss Everdeen, a resident of the poorest of all the districts, District 12. During "The Reaping", the "Tribute" selection comes to pass and is where Katniss ultimately volunteers to fight after her sister 's name is drawn from the fish bowl. Her male counterpart is the baker 's son, Peeta Melark. Per the rules, only one or neither of these two combatants will ever return to District 12 alive. "The Hunger Games" are treated as just that, games, they are televised in the Capitol and all 12 Districts as people look on, the members of the Capitol cheering along the way and members of each District looking on in sadness as their children are murdered for the satisfaction of the oppressive government. After the tributes are selected they are taken by train to the Capitol. On the train and in the capitol you can see the apparent culture shock in the face of the 2 district 12 contestants. Coming from the poorest district modeled after the coal mining era, where most people live in absolute poverty Peeta and Katniss are taken back by the surplus of luxury and wealth exhibited by the Capitol.…

    • 1705 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hunger Games Vs America Research Paper
    • 885 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hunger Games Vs America Research Paper

    In our original thirteen colonies, they were trying to avoid war within their new nation while those in the thirteen districts were also trying to avoid a "war". The Capitol is ran by a horrible and power abusing President Snow. When our thirteen colonies were still new and trying to become a new nation, King George III of Great Britain was still trying to abuse his power over them. Both of these leaders were ruthless when trying to "rule" over their people. The thirteen districts and colonies also have the similarity of a upper class and a lower class. Before our thirteen colonies became a nation, they were considered lower class while King George III and his subjects were upper class. The most common definition of upper class is a large and modern city/ place. This definition fits exactly to the Capitol described in "Hunger Games". Our original thirteen colonies and "Hunger Games" Capitol have many similarities and similar…

    • 885 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Class Distinctions In The Hunger Games
    • 742 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Class Distinctions In The Hunger Games

    The Capitol is the biggest class distinction in this story because the Capitol’s citizens have life easy, they do not include themselves with the districts personally, and they do not have to send their children to the Hunger Games. The Capitol separates themselves from the districts in a few ways: they have much better clothing to wear, they are never hungry, and they do not have to participate in the Hunger Games or send their children to participate in the Game. All they have to do is go about their daily lives, not cause any trouble, and tune into the Games annually. The Capitol has the largest effect on the major events of the story. Without the Capitol, Panem most likely would not exist, then the Games would not have taken place, and Katniss would have been born into a completely different society altogether. However, that is not the case. The Capitol, in the story, is very real. They control nearly every aspect of everyone’s lives in the districts. The Capitol is the one who puts the tributes in the arena, forces them to fight for survival, and eventually starts to cause their own downfall. Furthermore, the Capitol most likely would not want their precious Games to be beaten by a twelve year old.…

    • 742 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Personal Response 3 Teen Dystopia
    • 291 Words
    • 1 Page

    Personal Response 3 Teen Dystopia

    Teen Dystopia by Sophie Boyer is an opinionated piece that explains the reason we are so attracted to novels such as The Hunger Games. A reason such a novel is so appealing is because of the action packed plot and powerful symbolism weaved throughout. A story set in future North America, where climate change has destroyed society is where teenagers participate in a gruesome fight to the death called the Hunger Games. That heady combination results to complex yet relatable characters and most of all, a meaningful story. Hence, that is the reason why Boyer regards The Hunger Games as a “well-constructed allegory that also reflects a more realistic portrayal of our world .” Personally, I also admire authors who can create an abstract world so flawlessly that they still remain relatable. Even though The Hunger Games takes place in a different time period; where the world is overly violent, it leads to a new social awareness. As Boyer pointed out, “this awareness leads to a more tragic understanding of the world, but never without the hope of a better future.” When I read The Hunger Games it felt like it was situated in a world so seemingly different from ours, that I didn’t realise until the end, that it is based on a bit of reality. The Hunger Games highlights social issues of poverty, devaluing human life, and classism to make us aware that it still exists in the world, our world. Overall, The Hunger Games is a book that reveals the depressing reality of some places in the world, yet Boyer and I believe that The Hunger Games sends a good message to us readers: to live life to the fullest and never take life for granted.…

    • 291 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    The Detrimental Effects Of Governmental Power In 'The Hunger Games'
    • 1466 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Detrimental Effects Of Governmental Power In 'The Hunger Games'

    What the government does are not of benefit their people but to feather their own nest. Therefore people have bad quality of life under the government control. First of all, the government is irresponsible to the well-being of their people, law being illogical, people can do nothing but only to break them to get things they need. For example, Katniss has to hunt illegally in the wood outside the District 12 and trade her quarries at black market since she has to feed her family to keep them alive. Everyone has his or her right to being alive which the illogical law goes against. In addition, it is known that the government does has its responsibility to help the poor, but the capitol gets lots of wealth from poor Districts. This action makes the poor even do not have enough food to eat. For actually, it is found that sick people are easy to be controlled doing what the government want them to do. The government then creates people’s dependence base on this, like the saying goes:”You do not bite the hand that feed you.” Secondly, the blame of the society…

    • 1466 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Social Status in Hunger Games and Deviance in Equilibrium
    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Social Status in Hunger Games and Deviance in Equilibrium

    In the book Hunger Games status is an identity factor. As the book noted status, is “a socially defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights, and duties. These socially defined positions are mainly linked to family background. Those who live in District 12 aren’t members of a wealthy family that holds power, in return their status is consisted inferior. While the people of the capitol embrace all the power. A conflict theorist might use Hunger Games as an example to their argument; social structure may be the source of inequality. The fact that the social structure creates boundaries, based on status, is why the people in district 12 are consisted outsiders, or out-group. The Capitol is consisted the in-group while the district is the out-group. As the book noted “in-groups provide us not only with a source of identity but also a point of reference.” A reference group is a group that strongly influences a person’s behavior and social attitudes, regardless of whether that individual is an actual member.” The people in the district compare their way of living to the people in the Capitol, which helps them to establish individual self-worth. Since, Hunger Games is based on a class and status, their way of living are also separate. While the people in the Capitol have a more industrial way of living the people in the district use hunting and gathering has a means to collection basic needs. The main character, who is from the district, crosses over an illegal fence to gather food for her family everday.…

    • 615 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Hunger Games Argumentative Essay
    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hunger Games Argumentative Essay

    The Hunger Games is a novel about the "haves" and the "have nots -that is, the people who have money and the people who have money and the people who dont. The capitol has many of it. while the capitol is weathier than other districts, some of the districts have advantages than others. For example they can train there own people to get read and do well int he Hunger Games- a competiton they see as a ay to gain glory and fame. How about the poor districts? Well, they dont have much of an advantage there. District 12, Katniss's District, is an coal minning region that never stands a chance in the games. They view the games as a punishment that must be edured- Something that robs them of their children and family.…

    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Bread In The Hunger Games
    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Bread In The Hunger Games

    The Hunger Games, by Suzanna Collins. The Hunger Games is a novel written about a futuristic society. This society is built of 12 Districts all controlled by a higher class, the Capitol. Every year the Capitol hosts The Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl from each district are selected to fight to the death. The young adults all are supposed to believe the Hunger Games are a privilege and told, “may the odds be ever in your favour”(Collins, 19). This is an annual tradition. Until the 74th game, where Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark change history. The relevant themes presented throughout the Hunger Games include power, the fact that the Capitol holds it all and enforces it, social class, where Katniss and the distinctive Districts…

    • 1044 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Hunger Games Analytical Essay
    • 1161 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Hunger Games Analytical Essay

    This division and control is maintained further by the Hunger Games, an event that pits residents of each district against one another. In doing this, each district concentrates on their own tactics to kill their rivals, while also reinforcing the Capitol’s complete control. This can be shown when protagonist Katniss says “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…

    • 1161 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Hunger Games Essay
    • 572 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Hunger Games Essay

    Have you ever been taken away from you family and friends? Been forced into a game where to stay alive is the only way to win? That is what the hunger game is. A violent game that 24 contestants are chosen to fight one another and the winner will never have to work again. In the Hunger games Suzanne Collins uses characterization to show how Katniss uses survival techniques the love for her family and friends and tested her trust to the people around her.…

    • 572 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Theme Of Poverty In The Hunger Games
    • 501 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Theme Of Poverty In The Hunger Games

    In Hunger Games, the problem of poverty is very serious in District 12, citizen there do not have enough food and power. However, the capital is a modern city which have high technology, people there are very wealthy as well. We could find that the gap between the rich and poor is very wide. It doesn’t make any sense as this situation should not last long, otherwise there will arise many problem such as discrimination and dispute. In the whole world, many country did a very good balance between every community in order to avoid the huge disparity between the rich and poor, but in SouthWest Asia and Africa, this situation still occur frequently.…

    • 501 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Hunger Games Literary Analysis
    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Hunger Games Literary Analysis

    The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) focuses on the main character Katniss and her journey to revolt against the corrupt power system of her government the capitol. The ‘Hunger Games’ is a way of controlling those in the capitols power. Comparison “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?” communicates how Katniss feels the Capitol is corrupt and there ‘hunger games’ is a way to exert there power over those they control. Like Katnisse’s viewpoint “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” reveals how those oppressed by the capitols power realise that their lives are controlled by the capitol and they have no option…

    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Dystopian Essay On The Hunger Games
    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Dystopian Essay On The Hunger Games

    To conclude, The Hunger Games is a dystopian novel acting like a utopian society, which would lead you to think it was a perfect place, yet in the end it is either kill or be killed, so it is far from the perfect place. Katniss sees the games simply as a death…

    • 435 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics