As far as finishing up w/ The Hunger Games, I think there are a lot of these issues that we've started to explore, but maybe haven't exhausted. We discussed economic class last week and I felt that our conversation was perhaps not as thorough as it could have been. As it was pointed out in class, the gap between rich and poor has grown exponentially in recent decades, reportedly the widest it's been since the Great Depression. As I finished rereading Collins' book this past week, I was struck again and again with what a nuanced approach to class she takes in the book. Not only do different people in District 12 exist in different classes (the mayor vs. a miner for instance), but different districts seem to be better off than others (11 and 12 seem poorer than 1 & 2). Even Peta and Katniss are in different classes (check out the exchange on pp. 292-293 concerning Thresh's decision NOT to kill Katniss). Why approach class in this complicated way? The main story seems to be the districts vs. the capital. Why complicate the story?
What other things have you noticed about the novel? What is lost in the adaptation to film? What is gained?
I think this is a very strong adaptation. I actually saw the movie before I read the book. I feel that the movie is less bloody than the film and I think the reason for this is not b/c of good taste or anything noble like that, but b/c the filmmakers wanted to avoid an R rating so they could maximize the young kid market. I wonder if anything is lost in taking the edge off the story? I also feel that some of the social issue element, particularly the nuances about class, are flattened in the film adaptation. However, Jennifer Lawrence, as always, is phenomenal and really brings Katniss alive. I think she helps make Katniss a more sympathetic character (something that Alex mentioned as a problem for him in the book). It's easier to see why she would be a hero and why people would rally behind her in rebellion against the Capitol.
ReplyDeleteSocial classes are complicated. It's the illusion of (material) hierarchy.
ReplyDeleteThe movie depicts the image of our society. The way rich people are controlling the society, capitol is controlling the districts. The announcer's voice reminds me of the political leaders who act very caring but it's clear that they don't care about the people. The capitol is trying to protect their wealth by keeping the districts weak. Same with the wealthy legislators who propose bill that will take away people's basic rights.
ReplyDeleteThe novel is obviously more detail then the movie. I feel that the movie went to fast. It hopped from one thing to another like nothing happened between those two scenes. I think that they could have added more just jumpng from one main point to another. I think the whole love thing and like each other is way better In the book. The one little kiss to the big kiss didn't do any justice. It just I guess mad them seem closer but not really. it worked for her to get the gift in the movie but she has prove herself and show relationship in the book. I think that if they could have put in some first perso with Katniss talking about situations it would have tide things together better. then just jumping from one main thing to the next.
ReplyDeleteThere are two main themes in the Hunger Game. One is to depict the social class, which is the ruler side and the other side. Another theme is just simply whether Katniss loves Peeta or that is a strategy for her to survive?
ReplyDeleteI feel like the book depicts the second theme more strongly but the film doesn't. The film depicts the themes equally or somehow the first theme is stronger than the second one in the film. The reason why the first theme is strongly depicted in the film is: two players who are the president and the producer are clearer in the film. The president knows the tip how to rule the people, "a small hope is needed but too much hope aren't needed". Therefore, the producer is killed because he gives too much hope to the people in districts (especially for district 11 and 12).
I would first like to bring up the adaptations from the book to the movie. I read the book before watching the movie like most others and my opinions on it vary. For example, I believe that the book, in general, has a better flow than the movie. However I also think that seeing both the people watching and the people playing, in the movie, gives an in depth look at how all sides are viewing the subject. For example, the fact that we can see the game makers making decisions on what to do with the players and how they manipulate the game to the viewers advantage leaves a real salty taste in my mouth. Which is good in this case to give a better view of whats going on.
ReplyDeleteIn the Hunger Games, I loved how Katniss stand up for her self and did what she felt was right.. She change the game, she is rebellious and have a huge heart. I found very funny how they locked up the guy with the poison blueberries, I feel like he did not deserved that. Over all I love katniss character and how brave she is.
ReplyDeleteThe sexual assault in Hollywood says a lot about the violence towards women in this country. If you are a man, especially with some kind of power or wealth, you can get away with anything; the rules do not apply to you. Dozens of women have accused Bill Cosby of rape for years but nobody believed them.. or maybe they were believed, but nobody did anything about it.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to the districts and the social classes I really don’t see much of a difference in how we live everyday life. For instance, the districts are like neighborhoods. There are some neighborhoods that are nicer than others but within that neighborhood your going to have different classes as well.
ReplyDeleteClass division seems to be a major issue in the hunger games. It’s meant to show off who has the most potential to be crowned the winner. Because Katniss and Peta come from district twelve they were assumed to be the ones with less chances because they come from the lowest district. Even though it’s divided into districts it seems that some are privileged like maybe 1 and 2 where they get a chance to train their tributes before the games. Violence seems to be the only option to be able to win and get out. Which is a big issue now in our world as well.
ReplyDeleteI believe the divide in America is as stronger as ever and can be seen through our advancements, but also through the way we take steps back. American politics and government today is very two steps forward, one step back. For instance, the legalization of same sex marriage was a huge step forwards for LGBT+ Americans; however, with the recent occurrences of violence towards the LGBT+ community, it isn't hard to see that not all of America is on board with the progression. The same is said with electing a man who has been open about his sexual assault and have that same man be the one leading a country. Two steps forward, one step back. I believe Aziz Ansari said it best in his opening monologue on SNL, "the election of Trump has invited this lower KKK to step forward and feel validated." It's not hard to see this when anybody can read comments on news reports of women being sexually assaulted. "She deserved it", "what was she wearing?", and other rape culture sentiment clutter up the comments section on outlets such as Twitter or Facebook. With Trump infamous statement--"grab her by the pussy"--there is a higher level of passiveness towards sexual assault as though it's normal or apart of everyday life. The numbness that the general public exhibits towards this type of violence is why there is such a high rate of violence, because some wish to look solely at the advancements and use that as an excuse to ignore exactly what is wrong with our society and what is happening.
ReplyDeleteI feel as long as you can explain the general idea of a story without it being too drawn out you can make you're story as complicated as possible. In a way the story is not too far from real life because they gave use a general reason why the classes are divided like the way they are.In the novel i when katniss was explaining the detail of the background of the hunger games was explained alot more to me and made me understand what going throught the characters heads when events happen like the interview with katniss how she felt about the whole situation.
ReplyDeleteI think the book has more details, however seeing the movie helped me to understand some parts better.For instance district 11 rebellion and when she shot the apple in the pig's mouth. I remember her mentor told her to make them remember you and she did.
ReplyDeletein my opinion the book was more better than the movie. I also felt that Katniss was more aggressive in the book than she was in the movie. She snapped at people more in the book than the movie. I felt like we werent able to see how things really happened, because in the movie it just jumped into the scene. it didnt make scene to me how Katniss just fell for Peeta or was it all fake. Alot of things were left out but it was still a good movie
ReplyDeletehow the Hungry games in portrays economic class, is the government controls the citizens of the districts, their choices. dividing people up into different districts just like how people are divided into different classes, the richer & the poor. Who has what, who can produce and how they must produce.
Having read the book first and watched the movie second, I believe the film to be a very good adaptation. Since the book is a first person narrative, in the film we miss out on a lot of Katniss' narration that fills in the gaps of things the audience doesn't know. However, by the film taking us out of Katniss' story here and there we get those gaps filled in. For example, the exchanges between President Snow and the Gamemaker, Seneca Crane. Also, the scene that shows District 11's reaction to the death of their tribute Rue. In this way, the film adds a layer of outside intensity that we don't get in the book, since Katniss doesn't know what's happening outside the arena. One of the things I found very interesting that was pointed out in the film adaptation and not in the book was the heavy involvement the Gamemakers had in Panem's media. The Gamemakers do not simply make the games, and we see that when they are behind the scenes orchestrating the cameras during the Tribute Parade and the interviews. It's almost chilling to think that the Games start even before the tributes enter the arena.
ReplyDeleteI believe Suzanne Collins complicates the story in this way to add a deeper layer to the story. It's hidden commentary that goes beyond "good vs evil" since a majority of American citizens can relate to the different classes. Also, the seemingly impossible chance of shifting through those classes can be seen as well since Katniss would never be able to live in the Capitol. The use of the class system both within the districts and between the districts and the Capitol can be seen as commentary to the class system in America and how we often use class to identify.
the recent fall of the media stars you mentioned tell us that sexual misbehavior/assault can go on for years and men can get away with it if they have power and influence. It tells us that women are afraid to go against men of a certain stature. It seems like when one or two women come forward, that gives others the courage to do the same. Director Roman Polanski who has been a fugitive from the U.S. criminal justice since 1978 after pleading guilty for statutory rape received a standing ovation after winning best director for "The Pianist" in 2002's Oscars ceremony. That says it all. Hopefully what is going with Harvey Weinstein will be a turning point, at least in Hollywood.
ReplyDeleteChaos is on the news about Weinstein, Cosby, O'Reily all sex offenders rapists and are or were at one well respected in society and my still be well respected. Why is that? Its simple status, wealth, who you know. You get the very best to defend you or even pay some of the acusers off your back. They are the rich and famous, the untouchables, their word against yours. because these stars are of stature they get off easy so to speak. I really hope they can make an example out of one of these guys. The law always seem to make examples out of innocent people for some reason. pin the blame on some poor person and socialite gets away with murder.
ReplyDeleteThe book was more detailed to me than the movie. Just as I envisioned the first scene in the book it was displayed the same on screen. When I read the part of her dress turn to fire seeing on screen made the visual more understanding even though it was magic I could see it in head reading it from the book. I find that there is a segregation between districts. While others may have changed such as Peta as he reaches fame, Katniss reaches fame and her character still remains loyal and compassionate.
Katniss took on the role as leader of her family. After the father died she acted very responsible; she did a wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteShe tried to sell her little sister's baby days clothes , no one wanted them; Katniss was despondent but still tried to get food for her family even looking in garbage bins. She was very happy when she got the two burn bread that peeta throw out. Also Katniss did not want to the keepers to take them away.She display lot of love towards her family and also she nurture the little girl district 11