Research Paper Outline

Suzanne Collins uses the dystopian theme to reveal her views of problems in society through a satirical exaggeration of fictional events.

Collins portrays the government in the hunger games as a dictator, controlling each district and forcing children to fight to their deaths. This exposes government flaws in society in an exaggerated method, making the Panem government seem controlling of all sources of life, strict on their rules and inflict misery to all citizens living within the government’s boundaries. “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” (Hunger Games 18).

            The use of historical background described in the Hunger Games ridicules the wars in today’s society by exaggerating the fact that after one side won, they were able to form a dictatorship and have enough control to force citizens to kill one another “for fun”.  Ongoing issues such as war will always give reason for authors to express their own opinion through writing, "Newspaper headlines about swine flu, terrorism, global warming, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are inspiring authors" (Springen). Collins creates the fictional event that is so out of reason that makes issues such as the idea of war seem asinine, “I think we like to be scared of things that are not real. The idea that we're watching or reading things that are completely outlandish or impossible or really dire helps us cope with what is" (Feiwel).

Creating an imperfect triangle relationship between Katniss, Peeta and Gale, not only develops drama but with the dystopian theme, displays a negative connotation of love. The fake relationship between Katniss and Peeta creates the imperfection of relationships that society tries to conceal by creating the “happily ever after” in fairytale movies. Those movies portray that a positive outcome will always occur whereas in dystopia, the opposite happens. "This recent term was coined for its overtones of disease and malfunction, making it an accurate label for the genre's depictions of human foibles, weaknesses and messiness that defeats attempts to create a perfect society" (Burnett). The feelings that Katniss has on Gale however, is real no matter how much she denies it, “Gale is mine. I am his. Anything else is unthinkable. Why did it take him being whipped within an inch of his life to see it?” (Catching Fire 117). Katniss’ conflict creates a negative viewpoint of her character which supports the dystopian theme.

            The character’s actions and choices create the dystopia mood throughout the Games. Their will to survive only fuels the drama of the hunger games when the children fight to kill. Having children kill one another is barbaric and exaggerates the lack of peace between the human race, "The mood of dystopia is usually dark, pessimistic, and often reflects paranoia, alarm or hysteria" (Kaplan).

Collin’s ridicules the trends in society by making the characters in the book have outlandish styles and portraying them as acceptable in the Panem society, “I grit my teeth as Venia, a woman with aqua hair and gold tattoos above her eyebrows…” (Hunger Games 61). The exaggerated criticism Collins creates ridicules society’s conforming nature to trends in order to be accepted into society. Dystopias usually exaggerate contemporary social trends and in doing so, offer serious social criticism (Burnett). She writes to create the message of individuality, how important it is to non-conform to trends through Katniss (a symbol of rebellion) and the Capitol’s style (the trend to rebel against).

In the Hunger Games, Katniss has no father which demeans the sense of family. A broken family due to the loss of a loved one only supports the dystopian theme which the family has to struggle for the bond that is now broken. Hatred arises in Katniss towards her mother for giving up on taking care of her and her sister and basically giving up on life (Hunger Games 26-27). Although the family problems do not seem to be exaggerated as much as other issues depicted in the books, Collins still makes it a point to address problems that some families have to deal with. In Catching Fire, as soon as their family bond seems to be forming together, Katniss once again has to play in the Games which puts a strain on their relationship once more (172).