“A Reaction Paper on the Hunger Games Series: Catching Fire”

By: Kristine Faith D. Valle 2013-14356

            The Hunger Games series was most of the most popular adaptation of science fiction, acclaimed by millions. However, it was not only because of amazing graphics and a wonderfully made plot that made this movie worthy of praise. The beauty of the Hunger Games comes from its deep message regarding social realities that are faced by many citizens of the world today and its message of hope that freedom and rightfulness will always prevail. 

            The movie adaptation of a Catching Fire clearly depicted the elements of a science fiction, with its highly futuristic setting and advanced forms of technology especially as exemplified in the Capitol, which is the capital of the thirteen districts. Furthermore, it is also set in a universe that operated differently from current society given their customs of looking for tributes and the culture of fear and discipline that citizens must embody or else face very dire consequences. They had a different social, cultural and political setting different from that of today. However, compared to other renowned literature of science fiction such as Star Wars and X-men, it is also evident that it is not as heavy in being a science fiction compared to these movies that really had fictional characters such as mutants, aliens and technology that have not yet been discovered in present time. The Hunger Games were not as “futuristic” compared to these movies.

            Aforementioned, Hunger Games operated in a world where fear was instilled in the thirteen districts manifested through their bad governance allowing them to live in harsh conditions and the practice of the Hunger Games, where one volunteer is chosen from the twelve districts to a duel to death. The benefits of a good society can only be felt by the citizens of the Capitol. This is where we can see the success and failure of the thirteen districts. First, it is evident that the society of the twelve districts were in poverty, where their citizens are constantly suffering. However, despite this, the twelve districts had a strong civic culture, evidenced by their courage to fight against the Capitol, even with the risk of death and as exemplified by the Catching Fire where the citizens are clearly gaining hope, spearheaded by Katniss Everdeen. This is where they can potentially succeed.

            The situation of the thirteen districts depicted realities that were felt in the past and still exist until the present. First in the extremes, tyrannical governments were existent in the past and present such as that in countries in the Middle East like Syria, Libya and Myanmar and even in the Philippines. On the lesser level, bad governance is prevalent in several countries like the Philippines, India, North Korea where citizens face the problems of corruption and deprivation of civil liberties. However, reviewing the society as a whole, the Hunger Games is a clear depiction of the strength of the citizens to fight back against abusive leaders and their power to bring back their dignity as human beings. All of these come together to give the prediction of how society evolves together with all of its elements which includes citizens and governance.