Opression through Fists and Fireworks

One thing that I saw in The Hunger Games is that it takes a stance that is identical to the one that the picture describes above (it's only part of the picture...click on it to take you to the full picture.  You will have to zoom in to read it).

In the beginning of the book it's easy to see that Katniss is a master of resisting a more Orwellian type of oppression.  Meaning that she can physically resist oppressive forces.  Katniss has the power to hunt, gather, trap, and most importantly think.  If Katniss were dropped into the world of 1984 she would do very well.  She has a character that can be used to build communities through trade and foster a family through her love.

However, she is not at all a master of Huxleyian type of oppression.  Oppression by over stimulation.  Throughout the novel she is constantly impressed by the glamor of the capital that is oppressing her district.  When she gets back into contact with her element she regains her fighting vigor and does her best to overturn the capital by willing the death of Peeta and herself in a Shakespearian homage (one of the best Romeo and Juliet allusions I have seen yet).

Katniss's downfall occurs after that games where she folds to pressures from the Capital instead of defiantly holding on to her own beliefs.

I think it is safe to say that Collins believes that the more dangerous oppression is Huxley's brand as opposed to Orwell's.

-  Jason McCoy

It's the End of the World As We Know It

This week our class is focusing on Dystopian Literature. I have read a few books that fall into this category including The Giver, The Host, The Uglies, Life as We Knew, and The Hunger Games Series. I'm not too sure what it is, but this genre of literature is so interesting to me. I think for me it is the idea that things could be so different. I always believe that books are an escape from our world, but dystopian novels really let me escape. They make my imagination run wild. I wonder what it is that really hooks kids on this type of literature. In reality most of the books are somewhat depressing with kids killing on another, a life without emotion, your "soul" being subdued, and natural disasters taking over. Why in the world would these books hook so many people? I'm not sure I know the answer to that, but I know I love them.

I think these books also offer something fantastic to young readers...they can be very high interest. My neighbor who is in 8th Grade and not a very avid reader was the one who recommended Life As We Knew It to me. She is one of those students who only read novels that are assigned or necessary to read because she needs AR points. When I asked her what was so appealing to her she said "It was exciting!! And I thought they were going to die in the end..." This has gotten me thinking about what kind of books I can get her to read. I am a very avid reader, and I would love to be able to extend my love of reading onto her. I told her that she need to read The Hunger Games. She is somewhat hesitant...especially because of the length of the novel, but I am going to try my hardest to get her reading it. I think she would love it. I'm not going to stop at getting her to just read it either; I'm going to talk about it with her as she gets further into it. I hope I can her into it...or maybe one of the other ones I listed above. Wish me luck!

Alisa Richter