The book is written in the first person from the perspective of the main character, Katniss Everdeen. The movie, however, is in third person. Both perspectives have their pros and cons. Because the film can not specifically say, "Katniss is scared," and whatnot, the film has to show the audience through several actions. The film emphasizes on the fact that Katniss has some sort of PTSD, as evident in the scene where she imagines her arrow go through one of the career's chest from the first book even though she was hunting something else. Her experience in the games have scarred her and now she deals with post traumatic stress. I find it interesting how the film demonstrates this. Sadly the film leaves out small details that a reader might catch viewing the movie.
The book, on the other hand, allows the reader to know what Katniss is thinking and how she feels. Also the author can explain certain events from the past and or objects, while the movie would have a difficult time trying to explain what is happening. The downside is that the story is bias since it is told from the perspective of one character.
Overall I love the book for having such an interesting and unique concept on government and control based in a post-apocalyptic setting. It is entertaining to rerun the movie in my head as I read the book.
"When this was discovered, the jabberjays were left to die. In a few years, they became extinct in the wild, but not before they had mated with female mockingbirds, creating an entirely new species...A mockingbird is just a songbird. A mockingjay is a creature the Capitol never intended to exist... They had anticipated its [the jabberjay's] will to live" (92)
ReplyDeleteThere is symbolism in this moment where Katniss is talking to Madge about the mockingjays. The jabberjays are Capitol created and they symbolize the Capitol itself. The innocent mockingbirds represent the innocent people living in the districts. As the intended weapon jabberjays terrorized the innocent mockingbirds, it birthed a new species, the mockingjays. They represent the rebels in the upcoming rebellions. Though the Capitol created the mockingjays them like how the Capitol recreated the lives of several in the district, the rebels strive to live and fight back the Capitol's control over them. And maybe this moment foreshadows the eventual extinction of the Capitol menace just as the jabberjays went extinct.
I admire the fact that Katniss's love for her friends and family drive her to do things she would never normally do. She does whatever she can to keep them alive. Ever since the iconic volunteering in Prim's place in book one, Katniss has continued to stand up for those she loves. In this book, it is more evident because one slip up could mean all those around her could be gone.
ReplyDeleteFear is a common motif throughout the book. In the moment of choosing the Quarter Quell, Katniss finds out that the tributes will be chosen from the pool of victors. In other words, one male and one female will be chosen from those who one the Hunger Games in the past. Katniss, since she is the only female from district 12 who one that is alive, automatically must go back to the games. Even though it seemed like it was planned years ago, I believe that the Capitol did this on purpose to try to get rid of Katniss without it looking like the Capitol directly sent people to kill her. Killing Katniss means killing a figure for the rebels to look at, figure that gives them hope. Putting the victors back into the games also demonstrates the power of the Capitol. Even as a victor, they never escape the grasp of the Capitol. They are always watched and any sign of treason could result in harsh punishment. The capitol uses this fear to control those in the 12 district .
ReplyDeleteKatniss is determined to go in the games with one goal in mind: To keep Peeta alive. Before it was doing whatever she could to survive for Prim's sake; however, after what happened in the first games, Katniss feels as though she owes Peeta. She feels as though he deserves to be kept alive and not her. She even makes a deal with Haymitch. If Haymitch can go in the games than he shall, but if he is a mentor once more, then he has to do whatever he cant to keep Peeta alive this time (the last book only Katniss could be aided by sponsors). Katniss does not care if she dies because she knows her chances are more slim this time around. She is up against past victors, the competition is going to be more experienced. The thing is Peeta wants to do the same with Katniss and it is not like they can just pick up poisonous berries again and see if they both survive again. The Capitol will not allow that again. It is going to be interesting to see what each persong does to help the other and see if their fake relationship grows out of it (or she will have feelings for Gale instead).
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