My Opinion

In my opinion The Hunger Games is a really fun read with lots of twists and turns that makes you not want to put down the book. This summer I decided to read for leisure for the first time since probably 3rd grade, and decided to read The Hunger Games after I saw the movie earlier in the year. After not reading a book in over 10 years I ended up liking the novel a lot. So much in fact that I read the whole trilogy over the summer. I think the concept of the Hunger Games is pretty twisted and really should not be suitable for kids, but I guess this is why the book is so well liked because like many TV shows the most out there shows usually are successful. I am very glad I read all the books and I cant wait to see the movie, Catching Fire, which is supposed to come out in the next couple of years. I am also really pleased that I chose this book for the class because I think it related really well to the control society, which we talked about earlier in the semester. Hope you like the blog, and "may the odds be ever in your favor."

The Movie

Why read the book if you can watch the movie? If thats the was you feel then you are in luck as The Hunger Games has been transformed into a movie. The movie was a blockbuster hit that was released in 2012 in the US and internationally. If you are interested in purchasing the movie you can easily buy it as a Christmas gift for friends, family, or yourself at http://www.amazon.com/The-Hunger-Games/dp/B0092G1O8A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1355989458&sr=8-2&keywords=hunger+games+dvd

Control

            Control is a major tool used by the Capitol and President Snow to control the behavior of the citizens in the 12 districts. James Beniger in his book The Control Revolution defines control as "purposive influence toward a predetermined goal." Panem has strong influences on the districts that are for a clear goal. There are many forms of influence in the districts including the Peacekeepers. The Peacekeepers are the "police" in the districts that make sure everything is in order. They ensure that the districts are following the rules of the Capitol by monitoring the people closely, and having harsh consequences for those who act in an illegal action. In the video above the Peacekeepers can be seen in white uniforms, with a helmet on their heads. Another way in which the Capitol has their influence is through the annual Hunger Games. Every year one male and female teenagers from each district is thrust away into the Hunger Games. Families hope for the best that their son or daughter do not have to participate in the games. The Hunger Games is put on by the Capitol as a reminder on the past suppressed rebellion by the districts against the Capitol. The clip shows the reaping in District 12 where Katniss volunteers as tribute for her sister Prim to go and enter the 74th Hunger Games.
       
           The goals of the Capitol are very evident. The first goal is to maintain their power throughout all the districts. The Capitol has very strict rules and procedures to ensure that their power is not harmed. For them power is everything and will do anything to keep it. Along with that, the capital has a goal of making sure the districts to not rise and rebel again. The Capitol manipulates the information going into the districts showing the past rebellion as evil and awful. They even show shots of the destroyed District 13, that was demolished in response to the rebellion. The Capitol will put anything on the airwaves to put themselves in a good light, and to show that rebellion will only lead to danger for all the citizens of the 12 districts. Within Panem, James Beniger's definition of control is clearly seen.

Join the Millions

Would you like to join the millions throughout the Unites States and world to read the The Hunger Games? If you do there are many options on how to read Suzanne Collins' masterful work. You could check out the book at your local library, or the book can be easily bought on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Games-Book-1/dp/0439023521

Totalitarian Governments

It just so happens that along with this class I took Comparative Politics as part of my course load this semester. Within the last part of our class we talked about totalitarian governments. Non-democratic regimes can be identified by 3 main characteristics: the power monopoly, ideology, and mass mobilization. Within a totalitarian style government the power monopoly is with a leader, or a small number of political elites. The ideology in a totalitarian style government runs everything, as everything the government does and what they want the people to do is based off a strong ideology. The last part of a totalitarian regime is that there is some sort of mass mobilization the government has on the people. These definitions of a democracy can be applied to the totalitarian government of Panem in The Hunger Games. First, Panem is ruled by one leader that, being President Snow. President Snow has total rule, and can do whatever he pleases. Panem also has a strong ideology, that being the ideology of President Snow and the Capitol. Throughout the book the reader sees how President's strict ideology plays such a prevalent role within the 12 districts. Finally, Panem has mass mobilization with the annual Hunger Games. The Hunger Games mobilizes people from each district to participate in the games and fight to the death. Totalitarian governments have been seen all throughout history including China under Mao, and is still around today in countries such as North Korea that has a strong totalitarian government. In my opinion, totalitarian governments limit the people too much, which cause the government to lose legitimacy and be eventually overthrown by the people.

Reviews

"The writing is excellent and it propels the reader through the book at a rapid rate"

See more: http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/productreviews/fr/The-Hunger-Games-review.htm

"Collins understands her audiece well, and she can write."

See more: http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/cinema/2012/04/02/120402crci_cinema_denby

"This book is not only good, its captivating."

See more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/childrens-books-site/2012/oct/02/hunger-games-suzanne-collins-review

The Author: Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins is a very gifted and talented children's author who has gained lots of popularity, especially after her work on The Huger Games trilogy. Collins was born in Hartford, CT in 1962, and went on later to graduate with a degree in Drama and Telecommunications from Indiana, University. She began her writing career in 1991, as she wrote for Nickelodeon with shows such as Clarissa Explains it All and Oswald. Collins than took a try at writing children's books with the 5-part, New York Times best selling novel series The Underland Chronicles. Then in 2008 Collins stardom truly began when she wrote The Hunger Games. The next year Collins wrote the second novel of the trilogy Catching Fire, and in the year after wrote the last book with Mockingjay. All three books became a major American and international hit, being one of the most sold books of all time. Because of the trilogy's great popularity the books are being transformed into movies, with The Hunger Games already being a blockbuster premiering earlier in 2012. With her amazing work, Suzanne Collins has won numerous awards, and has even been named one of Time magazine's most influential people of 2010. I am truly excited to see what other masterpieces Suzanne Collins can write in the near future.

For more information visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Collins (Wikipedia)
http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/index.htm (Suzanne Collins' Website)