As we are introduced to the world
of Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games,
the differences in our societies is seen greatly through a corrupted media. Through
learning about the ritualistic sacrifice of the Capitols children, readers are also
introduced to the deeply unsettling manner of their treatment by the world. The
world we see in The Hunger Games is
subject to a greatly sensationalized media system, broadcasting news coverage
that both distracts and misleads manipulates viewers from the true nature of
the Games. This is evidenced by the sponsor system, interviews, and the nature
in which characters like Effie Trinket and Caesar Flickman present our
protagonists.
The character of Effie is
introduced to Katniss with the quote “I think it's one of the wonderful things
about this opportunity, that even though you're here and even though it's just
for a little while, you get to enjoy all of this”(63). This condescending
attitude towards tributes is the heart and soul of the contemporary media
system. It isn’t exactly hidden, as interviewers like Caesar Flickman affirm
this attitude in public conversations with the ‘contestants’. This is exemplified
by Caesar’s focus on Katniss’ dress, hair, and relationship with Peeta
throughout all her conversations with the media, instead of the issue at hand.
Although Katniss and Peeta are irrefutably
being sent to their deathbeds, the focus of the media is on their status as “star-crossed
lovers” (73). This detail has been inundated on by the media, glorifying their ‘lovers
tale’ without acknowledging the upcoming combat. This understated fantasy that
the Capitol creates is seemingly impervious to criticism, as no other party successfully
protests the treatment of tributes. This is another factor that bolsters the Capitols
ability to distract its viewers, further worsening the problem.
The media has allowed the games to even escalate to a point of political
leveraging, as seen in the sponsor system. This pandering of tributes to the
rich further buys into the ‘reality television’ aspect of the games, as viewers
now have a separate factor to consider altogether. As if the speculation of
interviews and grand parades were not enough distraction, the system of
sponsors has parlayed the sensationalism into a betting game, further dehumazining
the protagonists and tributes.
I definitely agree that the aim of the media attention to the games is a method of dehumanizing the tributes. Focusing on frivolous details such as outfits and "star-crossed lovers" distracts from the brutality and carnage that has become commonplace in the capitol. Even Katniss's couragous act of sacrifice for Prim is sensationalized by the media and made into a part of her public persona and ploy for support in the games, rather than allowing her to be seen as a human, as she tells the audience of the television show that she promised Prim she would try to win(129). This adds drama to the show, but it does not help anyone to realize the cruelty of the situation, the seperation of the family and the unnecessary tragedy that is about to take place as Katniss enters the games. It is as though the people of the capitol have seperated the games from their own reality, and made it into a fiction.
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