Hunger Games: Blog #2

Question/Subject: Write an analysis of the parallels between the tributes in the arena and the gladiators in old Rome. How can we apply the notion of “panem et circenses” to The Hunger Games. OR Discuss the similarities and differences between The Hunger Games and the Theseus-Minotaur story.

Suzanne Collins cited the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur as one of her inspirations for The Hunger Games. It's a remarkably similar tale, although there are some important differences. For instance, Theseus stood to gain by volunteering to face the Minotaur: A kingdom, courtesy of his Father the King. Katniss, on the other hand, gained almost nothing from her victory in the arena. Apart from saving her sister, she seemed to come out worse than before because she was forced to be with Peeta when she had no feelings for him, and she gained the animosity of President Snow, which made her life even more difficult. Furthermore, Katniss was forced to fight and work against the people she arrived at the Capitol with, while Theseus had nothing to fear from the other slaves that were thrown into the Labyrinth with him. Finally there's the obvious difference: The fact that Theseus faced one opponent, while Katniss faced many, and the fact that they were all human, which adds an element of remorse and guilt for her, while Theseus killed an inhuman monster.

In addition, there are similarities between these two stories. For example, there's the important detail that both protagonists volunteered for their place as a sacrifice. They weren't forced into their situation, but they both decided to take the risk. Also, they both gained the animosity of a powerful person for their troubles. For Katniss, it was President Snow and for Theseus it was the Queen of Athens, who didn't like the fact that an illegitimate son was going to inherit his Father's throne. This adds a layer of complexity to each situation, because it isn't a cut and dry win the games/kill the monster and go home type of scenario. It means that they have continued problems even after their victory. Finally,the conflict is originally created due to the oppression of a large and powerful government. As part of a peace treaty and to ensure fear existed in the populace, the government required the annual sacrifice of youths to keep the citizens subservient.