So it's important you understand that in order to take my review as you will. The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins is a science fiction novel with a loud and clear social commentary on social class and government power among others. Our protagonist, sixteen year old Katniss, lives in a world where the Capitol runs twelve districts formerly known as North America. The government put down several revolts, even destroying the thirteenth district. In order to prove and remain in power, they host the Hunger Games, a competition amongst the districts, a battle to the death.
Because I didn't really connect with this book myself on a personal level, I'll comment on whether it accomplished its goal and whether that goal was worthy of pursuing.
I think the goal for this book was to reinvent the traditional dystopian literature topic. Collins uses a female narrator, which is less common in science fiction books. It gives the commentary a different spin than your typical male perspective. In addition, the book is certainly more updated; it just has a very contemporary feeling, with the love story and factoring in non-traditional elements. It's so easy to compare this to almost any of the reality TV shows out there right now on television, and so the feeling is very pop culture.
When I read this, the show Survivor came to mind, particularly that first season (the only one I watched regularly). This concept of people on TV conniving and backstabbing and forming alliances to "stay alive" in the game to win one million dollars was new and somewhat shocking. We watched these people suffer horrendous bug bites, near starvation, and exhaustion. And it was entertainment! In retrospect, it really was sort of sick. But that's what audiences crave. Are we so far off from something like the Hunger Games?
The social commentary was certainly another goal, and I personally thought it was a little forced. I really felt like around every turn was another criticism of our current society, mostly involving social class and government, as I said. This government's power is so great, so overwhelming that no one rises up; they give in, even support the government's power by supporting the Games. How easily can we be brainwashed?
So were these worthy goals? I suppose so. Though I think dystopian literature is sort of a dangerous route to go with younger students who are still developing a world view, it is important to discuss. When I say that this book was more contemporary, I'm thinking in comparison to something like Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. I also think that particular book is more of a classic and will be more likely to be taught in a high school, but Hunger Games is definitely a contemporary counterpart, and even darker than its classic.
These books make us really think about our current situations in society and reevaluate something we might not have before. Being critical thinkers in today's world is so important, and these sorts of books force us to do so. I think this book would also tie in great with a critical media literacy lesson, on taking a closer look at what the media presents us every day and breaking it down.
So in terms of the classroom, I think it could have a place. In conjunction with a classic like Brave New World or a lesson on critical media literacy, this book fits right in, and it might be more interesting to students, especially when compared to something like the show Survivor. I'd be careful with the dark instincts of human nature- but any dystopian has the potential to bring you down. Overall, I'd say it accomplished its goals and those goals were solid. So take it for what it's worth.
No comments:
Post a Comment