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I have been struggling with The Hunger Games hype. Because one of my fifth graders begged me to, I read the first book. The violence bothered me. I couldn’t relate to Katniss. I wasn’t getting into it. But I did finally finish it last week and have wondered about this odd feeling I have about it. Is it intended to make me squirm like this? I plan to go to the movie because I’m curious. I want to see how they portray the book. Will I care more about the main character? Or will I be left again with this discomfort?
Today, I talked to two of my students about the book and movie, both 5th grade girls.
“Why do you like it?”
K: “Suzanne Collins makes you want to keep reading. The way she writes.”
“But what about it makes you keep reading? Is it the romance?”
K: shy blushing grin (I interpret that as a yes.)
Second student conversation:
“Why did you like The Hunger Games?”
R: “It totally changed my outlook on life.”
“What do you mean?”
R; “There’s this kid in my class that others pick on. I realize that that is not important. There are bigger things to worry about.”
“So you see the Hunger Games as a warning of what could happen?”
R: “Yes, and it’s really scary to think about.”
I am still wondering what the appeal is. I am worried about our society that elevates a book like this to such heights. Are we concerned about our fellow man or are we selfish and looking out for our own survival? I feel it is similar to the appeal of shows like Survivor and The Bachelor in which one person is deemed the winner with little concern for others. And sometimes to survive, you have to knock out the other guy. What is this all leading to? Perhaps Suzanne Collins is giving us a warning, and instead of taking that warning, young teens are voraciously reading and flocking to the movie to see who wins. Or is it all about the romance?
What do you think?
Here is a link to my student’s slice about The Hunger Games and other stuff: GT Allstars
Reflections on the Teche 
Mrs. Margaret,
I looove The Hunger Games!!!!! It is one of my favorite seris, by far!!!! I looove it because there is the romance, the action, and the suspense. I likee books like that. I can relate to Katniss. The movie is a lot less violent.
A colleague that loved the book went to the movie and was stunned when the audience cheered as people were killed. Fiction in written form is one thing, but she felt like the book was coming to life before her eyes.
I saw the movie too, and no one cheered when anyone died (though there was some relief when Cato died).
I think this fits in with the Dystopian trend – we need to experience vicariously situations that are awful, painful, and intense. This is how we “practice” courage. Could we behave like Katniss? Could we be as strong as Peeta? How would we react in this situation?
I don’t think it’s about “liking” the violence. It’s about watching the wrongs be righted, watching the small fight against the big. Those are stories as old as time (honestly, check out original folk tales or the Bible even). This is how we try other lives on for size.
I’m not worried about kids deciding they want to go kill anyone… I really think this book is not in that category.
Maybe that’s what really troubles me. I don’t think I could.
I haven’t read the book and don’t plan to. It sounds way too much like a “reality” show. I’m afraid it appeals to those who get a kick out of other people’s suffering. I’m like you – it is upsetting. I felt the same way about all the “vampire” books. We can have romance without violence and blood. I guess I am old fashioned.
I think the wave of dystopian fiction also is saying something about their view of the world ahead of them. Gosh, though, I hope the wave calms down and some sunny stories emerge, too.
I don’t get the sense from my students that the romance angle is what keeps them hooked. It has been the survival angle, and the “voice” of Katniss in the book has been a big draw. They like that she is vulnerable, angry, smart and caring — all rolled up into a sort of action hero with a bow and arrows.
Kevin
Oh — the violence in the books was a bit unnerving as I thought about the reading audience. In fact, our librarian had a book club that read all three books this year. She aimed to coordinate a “movie” trip but gave that up after seeing the movie and the killing in the story. Good move.
Kevin