Hunger Games Symbols

Website design By BotEap.comIn this article we are going to take a look at a number of symbols used in the book. The Hunger Games and discuss their meanings. The Hunger Gameslike many good fictional stories that came before it, it has something to say about our time and our days.

Website design By BotEap.comThe Mockingjay: The mockingjay is a prominent and powerful symbol used in the book. Each contestant in the game can take something that is a reminder of their district. Katniss chooses to wear the mockingjay brooch. The mockingjay is a real bird in the book, and is a species that resulted from crossing jabberjays and mockingjays. Jabberjays were created by the Capitol through genetic engineering. A jabberjay was a bird that was meant to spy on the rebellion and report back to the Capitol. Once the rebels realized this, they began feeding the jabberjays false information, thus rendering the jabberjays useless to the Capitol. The jabberjay was also a way for the Capitol to demonstrate that it could literally control all living things under its rule. Thus, the mockingjay becomes a symbol of something the Capitol creates that is beyond its control, and ultimately becomes a free entity.

Website design By BotEap.comPanem: Panem is the name of the place that was once North America. It has thirteen districts under the rule of the Capitol. This symbolism sets up the expectation of a revolution since the United States began as thirteen colonies ruled despotically by a ruler in the distance; England.

Website design By BotEap.comThe Tracker Jacker: Again, this is a genetically modified creature, created by the Capitol. This again demonstrates the power and will to control all living creatures and bend them to his purposes and will.

Website design By BotEap.comReality TV – The fact that the games are streamed and aired as a kind of reality show raises a number of other ideas. Studies have shown that the average person is much more likely to cause suffering to another, when told to do so, if they can somehow maintain an impersonal barrier, such as if the victim is wearing a hood. Even though it’s called ‘reality TV’, the fact that people are in the media makes them less real to viewers and therefore they don’t care to see them suffer, unlike if they were personally involved with the people. During the Vietnam War, the news carried daily casualty statistics, but viewers simply became numb to the fact that real people were dying because they were just numbers.

Website design By BotEap.comDandelions: These flowers symbolize hope in the story because Katniss saw them right after Peeta showed compassion by feeding her one day.