The Mockingjay, symbol of a revolution. Power and dangers of mass media in "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject American Studies - Literature, University of Graz (Amerikanistik), course: Literary Studies Proseminar (American Young Adult Fiction from 1950 to Today), language: English, abstract: This paper is concerned with one of the most preeminent motifs in Suzanne Collins’ "The Hunger Games" trilogy. It poses the question why the use of mass media plays such a dominant role throughout all three novels. The aim of this thesis is to demonstrate that mass media functions as a powerful tool to control, manipulate, and ultimately, free the population of the fictional state Panem. It will show that mass media is one of the most essential components of the novels that drives the story development and significantly contributes to the storyline’s arc of suspense. Also, it will examine the reoccurring symbol of the Mockingjay, and how the main character Katniss Everdeen becomes the figurehead of the revolution. In this paper I am going to prove that this is also a consequence of mass media, which will support my thesis that mass media is the central element of The Hunger Games. "The Hunger Games" introduces the reader to the fictional state Panem that emerged after a disastrous Third World War in which the majority of the earth’s population got killed. The remaining survivors founded the state of Panem. Panem consists of the wealthy Capitol and twelve poorer districts ruled by the Capitol. The Capitol is lavishly rich and technologically advanced but the twelve districts are in varying states of poverty. The reader follows the story of sixteen- year-old Katniss Everdeen from District 12. In order to prevent a rebellion against the Capitol the tyrant President Snow annually hosts the so called Hunger Games; an arena fight of life and death, in which every year one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 of each District must participate. After taking her little sister’s place in the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss involuntarily gets in between the ongoing fight for power between President Snow and the rebellious District 13. After winning the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss becomes a symbol of hope for the oppressed districts and a key figure for the following revolution and the war against Snow and the Capitol.