A Feminist Approach To The Hunger Games

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The Hunger Games: A Feminist Approach to Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire Suzanne Collins’ novel The Hunger Games is set in the country of Panem—a post-apocalyptic version of North America. The title itself refers to the Capitol’s event known as the Hunger Games—a gladiatorial style fight-to-the-death battle between twenty-four randomly selected teenagers from the twelve Districts of Panem—broadcasted live on television as entertainment for the Capitol and as a reminder to the Districts of the totalitarian government’s ultimate power. Katniss Everdeen becomes the female tribute from District 12 when she volunteers to take her younger sister’s place; though she is from one of the poorest regions and not a likely victor, she proves to be a tough survivor with her bow and arrows, strong attitude, and determined defiance as she lands a victory for both Peeta—the male tribute from her District—and herself. Webster’s New College Dictionary defines feminism as “a doctrine advocating for women the same rights granted men, as in political and economic status” (420). Taking a feminist stance means supporting equality of the sexes; women can do what men do and vice versa. In this paper, I will argue that Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is a modern feminist novel because the leading protagonist Katniss Everdeen displays qualities of both femininity and masculinity. Even though she is often unaware of herself as a female—oblivious to the attention she receives from District boys—Katniss does experience the emotions typical of young girls—namely involving romance—as well as those of a nurturing mother even though she does not want a family of her own. There is also a masculine side to her, made evident in her skill in both providing for her family and surviving the Games, which proves that women do not have to be limited wholly to traditional feminine roles. After her father
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