The Politics of The Hunger Games

Set in the future dystopia of Panem, The Hunger Games trilogy follows the rise of a provincial rebellion against the wealthy and tyrannical “Capitol.” As narrator and heroine, Katniss Everdeen comes to embody the hope of the long oppressed for a new order. During her journey some of our most urgent political questions are addressed. What does it mean to be a leader? Can the oppressed recover a political identity that affirms individual values and freedoms? Do the media necessarily corrupt political discourse? This critical study of The Hunger Games explores novels in the context of how we think about the nature of politics, the value of the individual and the importance of political action. The author draws parallels between Panem and the Roman Empire, considering Herod’s Massacre of the Innocents alongside Haymitch Abernathy’s elusive political influence as mentor of tributes. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Jamey Heit is the co-founder and CEO of Essay Assay, Inc., an automated assessment company. An active researcher and writer in cultural studies, he teaches humanities courses online at Walden University.

Jamey Heit
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 200
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2015
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9658-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2104-3
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vii
Introduction 1
1. A Political Overview of Panem 11
2. Remembering Rome 26
3. The Social Contract 41
4. President Snow 54
5. Katniss 70
6. Haymitch 87
7. The Rebellion 102
8. President Coin 116
9. The Capitol’s Residents 129
10. The Media 145
11. Public Violence 160
Conclusion 169
Chapter Notes 177
Bibliography 185
Index 189