Themes

The Theme of Power
   
        The government of the Capitol holds most of the country of Panem’s wealth, the government is able to control the people in all of the districts across Panem. The Hunger Games, then, are the ultimate display of the government’s power and were designed to warn the populace against rebellion. In the Hunger Games, the citizens of Panem become nothing more than pawns in an elaborate game of life or death. Since only one teenage contestant, or "tribute," can win, the tributes are forced to kill teens from the other districts and one from their own district.The Games keep the people of the districts divided and fighting among themselves. The government broadcasts the event live on t.v, reinforcing the idea that the tributes are giving their lives for little more than the entertainment of the Capitol.
      This book is also about ways to resist the kind of power that the Capitol represents. While the people of Panem might not have the Capitol’s money, they do have other ways of fighting back. In that sense, these small moments of defiance can be very powerful.


The Theme of Identity

    Katniss Everdeen was a hunter and gatherer in District 12 in the country of Panem. She didn’t much like cats, though she loved her sister Prim very much. Her main goal was always the survival of her family. After being put in front of the Hunger Games's cameras, though, things get kind of complicated. Katniss must sell herself to the audiences at home and to potential sponsors. Thrown into a world where image is everything, she has to play a whole new (boy crazy) Katniss on camera.

The Theme of Strength and Skill

        Each person has his or her own set of skills and strengths. There's Cato, who has a crazy temper and can snap someone's neck with his bare hands. There's Foxface, the craftiest girl in the whole game. Oh, and let's not forget little Rue who can jump from tree to tree. And, of course, Peeta is a master of camouflage. Then there's our heroine, Katniss, who is amazing with a bow and arrow. She also has a rebellious streak a mile wide, one that impresses the Gamemakers during training. Just like in life, everyone has some kind of strength or skill all their own.

The Theme of Appearances

          Katniss must now be concerned with how people in the Capitol perceive her. Katniss will learn that public image can be a powerful thing. As such, she is assigned a whole team of beauty technicians and a fabulous stylist named Cinna who will help her carefully craft the perfect look for all of the Hunger Games televised events.

The Theme of Competition

OK, quick: think of a game.

Got one? Good. What'd you come up with? Baseball? Tennis? Monopoly?

Well, the Hunger Games are a totally different kind of competition one of life and death and a game that people are forced into. What, then, does it take to win a competition like this? And can you ever really win a game like the Hunger Games?