After finishing the book The Hunger Games, I was astonished that the competition of the Hunger Games could be
considered a game. The ruthless fighting and quest for survival between the 24 tributes
seemed more like a war than a game. But as I reflected on this course, I realized that the games, in
fact, did fit many criteria to be considered a game despite how it seemed trivial
for me to call a fight to death a “game”.
Throughout the semester, we have
discussed many of the different characteristics of games. One of the main
characteristics is that participation is voluntary. However, participation in
this game is far from voluntary. The 24 tributes are
selected by a lottery to participate. When Prim was the girl selected from District 12, her older
sister, Katniss, volunteers herself as tribute, knowing that she has a better
chance at survival than her younger sister. While in this sense, Katniss’s
participation was voluntary; it was only as sacrifice for her sister. She would
rather die than watch her younger sister get killed in the competition. She did
not want to participate. Simply, it
was the only alternative she had if she did not want to watch her sister die.
Another
characteristic of games is that they involve strategy. The Hunger Games indeed
required strategy by the participants. Haymitch told
Katniss and Peeta to use their talents to their
advantage and carefully observe the other tributes’ talents, so they know what
to expect. Katniss uses her hunting and outdoor skills, and Peeta uses his
tremendous strength. Further, during the competition Katniss and Peeta act like
star-crossed lovers in order to gain favor with the audience, another strategy.
By gaining audience support, they have a better chance of obtaining gifts, like
water, food, medicine and tools, necessary for their survival. During the
Hunger Games, each participant allies with various people, as a strategy to
avoid the other tributes teaming up. When there was a twist in the rules of the
game, and a team of tributes was allowed to win, Peeta and Katniss use the
star-crossed lover ploy even more to their advantage. They use this strategy to
obtain audience support through the love-scheme, but also to aide each other,
in hopes of helping the other survive. Whether or not Katniss and Peeta are
truly in love is not fully clear; yet, it is clear that the two District 12
tributes strategize and work together to win the Hunger Games. However, these
individual strategic tactics employed by Katniss and Peeta do not necessarily
mean that the game is all strategy. The game is controlled by the Capitol, and
represents governmental control over the 12 districts. The Gamemakers force
tributes to participate and can change rules at any time, adding twists and
turns, leaving only so much room for individual strategy.
While
the prior aspects are controversial as to whether the Hunger Games should
actually be considered a game, this competition does fit one game criterion
flawlessly. If anything, the arena in which the members of each district
fight to win is the perfect representation of the “magic circle”. The Hunger Games is set in a specific
place for a specific date and duration. The Game takes place in a computer-made
outdoor arena beginning on a set day each year and lasts until there is only one
survivor. In this light, the Hunger Games is its own “magic circle”, and in
this way can be considered a game.
In
another sense, the Hunger Games are a form of entertainment for the citizens of
Panem, particularly the Capitol. Although family and friends of the tributes do
not find it entertaining to watch their loved ones struggle, many of the
citizens do find the games quite entertaining. It is broadcast to all 12
districts 24 hours a day. The Capitol finds the struggle amusing to watch.
While the original intent of the games is to remind the districts not to rebel,
it does provide a source of entertainment. In fact, one reason Katniss and
Peeta continued their love during the competition was because it provided entertainment
for the audience, as the “love story” could indeed help them win over the
audience’s support. Further, the Capitol reverted to the old rules, at the end,
so there could only be one winner because it would be more entertaining for the
audience to see these star-crossed lovers fight for survival. However, when the
two of them were about to commit suicide, the Capitol changed the rules yet
again since it would be more entertaining to have two winners than none.
Hunger Games as a “game” summary:
Participation is
voluntary: NO (well, in Katniss’s case yes—but not really!)
Involves strategy:
YES to an extent, but also NO (the Capitol can alter the rules at any time, to
create an outcome that they desire)
Is played in a “magic
circle”: YES
Is a form of
entertainment: YES, but NO (in terms of for family and friends of tributes,
who must watch their loved ones struggle in what is essentially a death
sentence)
With
this, it is clear that the Hunger Games does not perfectly fit the definition
of a game. The Hunger Games fit some criteria, and not others. This leaves it
up to the discretion of each reader to determine whether or not they believe these
games fit the definition of a game. Since the word game is in the title of the competition, readers may have the false
belief that the competition is a game. But as previously discussed, I believe
it is trivial for the Hunger Games competition to be considered a game,
especially since there is not one specific definition for a game.
Do you think the Hunger Games are a game?
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