Class Notes By Mr. Tucker

Overview Topics to be discussed… Theme Conflict Character Setting Plot Symbolism

Theme Theme: The main idea that an author wishes to convey in a piece of work. There may be multiple themes in longer pieces of work. Shorter pieces of work tend to have fewer themes.

Theme Government Control. In Panem the Capitol restricts the permissions and abilities of its citizens They go as far as forcing citizens to kill each other in the Hunger Games The government control is so excessive that it causes citizens to resent the centralized power.

Theme Effects of War Panem Came together as a country as a result of a series of natural disasters destroyed much of the landmass it called home. After some time the districts rose up against the capitol unsuccessfully. The districts were then punished for the rebellion by the hunger games. The districts were also punished for the war by increased restriction, and observation

Theme Individualism The Hunger Games requires many types of individuals to leave behind their identities and evolve into a relentless murderer in order to survive. Peeta presents the idea of not wanting to change, however he does in fact kill (the girl who created the fire, fox face, role in Cato’s death)

Theme Love: Love is a very prominent theme within the hunger games Love has a very strong effect on people, It drives Peeta to protect Katniss It drives Katniss to survive in effort to return to Prim It drives sponsors to donate It drives Katniss and Peeta together, and then apart.

Theme Survival: The ability and desire to survive is first and foremost in the Hunger Games. The story is on of physical, and mental survival. This is seen through the poverty and starvation issues in Panem, the fight in the Hunger Games, and for those who survive the fight to stay alive in the pressure and presence of the capitol.

Conflict Authors use conflict to help build tension work, conflict helps keep the plot of the story moving, and keeps the reader interested. There are three types of conflict: Internal Conflict: The struggle occurring within a character's mind. Things such as things the character vies for, but can't quite reach. External Conflict: A struggle between a literary or dramatic character and an outside force such as nature Interpersonal Conflict: occurs when a person or group of people frustrates or interferes with another person's efforts at achieving a goal.

Internal Conflict in The Hunger Games Katniss’ feelings toward Peeta Katniss is has to deal with her feelings toward Peeta. She knows that he loves her but she does not feel the same. These feelings are made more complicated by the fact that she may have to kill Peeta during the games, and toward the end the change in the changes in the rules really add to this conflict. Katniss’ struggle for her own identity Katniss is in a constant struggle to maintain her own personal identity despite of all of her experiences in the arena.

External Conflict In the Hunger Games The Arena Katniss is faced with many tough situations where she has to fend for herself in nature. In the arena she must find water on her own food and water to survive. The arena also alters the environment to create harsh conditions for the tributes. This creates tension as it is clear it is not only the other tributes that pose a threat. The Conditions of Panem Life in Panem is full of its own challenges. Between the struggle against starvation, the endless list of laws, and ever present capitol it is often difficult for citizens to survive. This conflict adds to the tension in the arena as Katniss is often worried not only for her own wellbeing but that of her friends and family at home.

Interpersonal Conflict in the Hunger Games Struggle against Cato and the Careers Katniss says at the end of the book that it was always her against Cato, and that all of the other tributes were just obstacles along the way. This interpersonal conflict helps the author develop the greater conflict which is between the Capitol and the Districts. Cato being a career from District 1 represents the Capitol and all of its power. Katniss being a tribute from District 12 represents the weakest of districts, and their struggle against the power.

Character in the Hunger Games Protagonists: Katniss Everdeen Katniss Everdeen is the protagonist of the novel and its narrator, Katniss Everdeen is a strong, resourceful sixteen-year-old who is far more mature than her age would suggest. Due to the conditions of her world she has grown into a tough, unsentimental, and practical girl. During the weeks over which the Games occur, Katniss’s character does not fundamentally change. She remains compassionate, and caring (Rue) More concerned with responsibility than love (Does not want a family, or husband)

Character in the Hunger Games Antagonist: There is really not singular antagonist in The Hunger Games. The role of antagonist is filled by the society in general. The Careers, President Snow, The Gamemakers are all fulfilling a role that is dictated by society. The obstacles put in place to stop Katniss are not necessarily any different to those faced by any tribute, what is different is how she deals with them.

Setting in The Hunger Games Time: An indeterminate time more than one hundred years in the future Place: Panem, the country created after the governments of North America collapsed. The arena, the place where the games take place, and the tributes are forced to face one another. Circumstance: Katniss is fighting for her life, and her individuality in an arena filled obstacles and danger.

Plot in the Hunger Games rising action  · After volunteering to take her sister’s place in the Hunger Games, Katniss has to manage others’ perceptions of her to gain the best strategic advantage possible, then learn to survive inside the arena. climax  · Having outlasted the other tributes, Katniss and Peeta threaten suicide rather than fight one another after a rule change turns them from allies into adversaries. falling action  · Even though she and Peeta won the Hunger Games, Katniss must try to assuage the Capitol, which is angry with Katniss for threatening suicide and forcing a decision they didn’t like.

Symbolism in the Hunger Games The Mockingjay: It represents defiance in the novel, with the bird’s symbolism deriving initially from its origins. (As a failed attempt to spy on the districts) Katniss calls them “something of a slap in the face to the Capitol.” Katniss’s Dresses: The dresses that Cinna designs for Katniss all symbolize her personality, “the girl on fire” This helps establish her as a rebellious, hot headed, temperamental figure who will be trouble for the Capitol