Political Allegory in ‘Hunger Games’
The Hunger Games is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating works by Suzanne Collins, which was inspired by both classical and contemporary sources. Right from the beginning of the novel through its sensational end, The Hunger Games carries something explicit and stronger that the author strives to put across with the uniqueness that it deserves – a political message. Katniss Everdeen is not just out to save her friends and family, but she also bears the burden of saving her entire society and nation at large. This paper seeks to explore political allegory in Hunger Games. It seeks to show that Hunger Games is indeed a true reflection of the current politics not only in America, but also across the world. Political allegory refers to a literal devices that endeavors to convey veiled meanings through the use of representational figures, actions, or even events that collectively creates the intended or desired political meaning.
First, the leadership structure and hierarchy of Panem as well as the people’s struggle to liberate themselves from an oppressive regime, is a well scripted allegory that sets up today’s political situation in America. Collins narrates how Panem came to being following the destruction of North America by natural calamities and war that left Capitol ringed by 13 districts, “The result was Panem, a shining Capitol ringed by thirteen districts, which brought peace and prosperity to its citizens (Collins18).” Nonetheless, Collins denotes that it was not long before the thirteen districts rose against the capitol citing oppression, only for twelve of them to be defeated leaving one totally annihilated (18). Capitol that consisted of the game makers was reinstated as the top most class in Panem, then Politicians and mayors came second and the common everyday people came last at the very bottom. Just like in the novel, the current political sphere in America and world over consists of very few powerful people who occupy powerful offices and positions of authority whose influence over the lives of those under them is immense and significant. However, Katniss’ resolve to save her family and Panem in the novel asserts the fact that power can also come from the people just like in Thomas Jefferson’s ‘The Declaration of Independence’ that rallied American states against the colonial British rule. Jefferson in the declaration’s preamble states that, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal (Jefferson 21).”
Pitting of districts against each other in the annual hunger games as a way of curbing resistance from the 12 districts is another allegory that mirrors the current political atmosphere across the globe. Collins writes, “The Treaty of Treason gave us the new laws to guarantee peace and, as our yearly reminder that the Dark Days must never be repeated, it gave us the Hunger Games (Collins18).” It is ironical that a treaty whose main intention is usually to make peace is tailored to fuel bloodshed and animosity between districts that made up Panem. The game makers used their influence to pit the common people living in the 12 districts against each other for the sake of their entertainment and personal interest. Collins narrates, “Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch—this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy (Collins19).”
The pitting of children from each district against each other allegorizes the politics of our current times where rich and powerful contributors pit candidates against one another right from party primaries to the actual elections. Current politics just like in Hunger Games is characterized by pitting of classes, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, ideologies, and even races against each other. The few members of the ruling top class are keen to pit the poor majority against each other in order to distract them from focusing on the inequalities, injustices and real problems that affect them.
Collins in Hunger Games succeeds in painting a society that could not stand up for anything due to fear of the ruling class (Collins 117). The people of Panem lived under mercy of Capitol whose brutality could not be challenged openly. Collins through her narration describes a divided, hopeless and desperate majority who lived like slaves in their own land, “They [took] part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage. Silence. Which says we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong (Collins24).”The novel illustrates the ever widening gap that exists between the rich and poor not only in Panem but also in the current world courtesy of retrogressive and oppressive politics that favors the ruling class. This political allegory resonates well with the politics that characterize America, African countries and the entire globe where the ruling class strives as much as possible to limit the growth of the majority low class people in order to continue ruling over them. Through promises and blackmail that their situation will be changed, the poor majority can easily be manipulated to elect the rich to positions of power. Furthermore, just like in Hunger Games, the poor majority are unlikely to unite and challenge the status quo and demand for change because of fear, inferiority complex and the harsh consequences imposed by the rich ruling class (Collins 19).
Indeed, Collins in The Hunger Games succeeded in mirroring the current contemporary political realm where the few are constantly pitting the majority against each other in order to obscure them from facing the real tribulations that hold them down. Political allegory in the novel right from the Panem’s leadership hierarchy and structure to the use of force by the ruling class to control the poor majority ultimately give the readers an opportunity re-evaluate the current and future politics within their societies. Whether meant or not, Collins undoubtedly penned down one of the most powerful political allegories in the world of teenage books.
Work Cited
Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Press, 2008.
Jefferson, Thomas. The Declaration of Independence. Scholastic Reference, 2002.
