The Hunger Games

1. The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins

2. Author

3. Why study a novel? To develop detailed understanding of the distinctive features of the novel, e.g vocabulary, imagery, narrative technique etc. To understand how the above contribute to meaning, implications and effects. To discuss, interpret and evaluate the context, themes and author’s purpose. To present well researched, supported information in essay form. To analyse and appreciate written language features and the author’s style. Aims of Novel Study

4. George Orwell’s 1984 Dystopia Lord of the Flies Inspired by ???? What country? Panem? Once was ??? How many districts? What is District 13? What are the Hunger Games? Mockingjays? Avox? How far into the future? What do you know?

5. A novel is an extended piece of prose fiction. It is created or fashioned by a writer from experience or imagination. The novel arose from the demand of those to be entertained by reading. They provide emotional attachment to characters, experiences we can or cannot relate to, interesting personalities, pose us with the problems and perversities of life, and insight into our own society. A Novel

6. Plot Setting Style Novel Character Author’s background and attitude Narrative point of view Themes allusions The Elements of Fiction

7. should build up to a climax which is the highest point of tension in the film and usually occurs at or near the end. Situation conflict crisis point resolution PLOT

8. Sometimes there is a subplot which runs side by side to the main plot. Sub plots add depth and complexity to a story as well as emphasising some of the main ideas. Subplot

9. The setting involves the time (period, background to that period) and place (physical location, often one major and one minor) and the social climate (social, political, religious, economic conditions, attitudes, beliefs) inhabited by the characters. Setting

10. SHAPES THE ACTION FORESHADOWS THE ACTION SUGGESTS IDEAS SETTING REFLECTS THE ACTION CREATES THE ATMOSPHERE

11. The world of the novel must be peopled with characters – to take the main stage and dominate the action, characters to provide background or fulfil one or more roles. Every character has a specific role to play. Characters

12. One way of describing characterisation is indirect or direct. If it is direct, the author or the narrator or another character will tell us about the characters. If it is indirect, we are left to find out for ourselves from their behaviour. Characterisation

13. Through their speech and action. Through their dress and background. Through their associations. Through what others say about them. How others react to them. By externals (physical appearance, tastes, education) What they fail to do and do Their feelings, thoughts, opinions, social level Revelation of thought, mental analysis, interior monologue, stream of consciousness. As in life

14. The characters in a text are often described as being Round Curved or slighty curved Flat Rounded or Flat

15. A rounded character grows, develops and is capable of surprising the reader. This character is detailed and complex. E.g Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice. Most novels have only one or two fully rounded characters capable of development. The rest of the characters are there for a purpose. State 2 rounded characters from ‘A thousand splendid suns’ What does this mean?

16. Curved Characters Develop and grow a bit, enough to fufil their role in the text. They are not as complicated as rounded characters and we don’t know as much about them. Who are curved or slightly curved characters from the novel?

17. Flat Characters They arrive complete in every detail and never change. They are predictable and the reader does not get to know them very well. E.g Mr Collins in Pride and Prejudice. Name two flat characters from the novel.

18. Most novels have only one or two fully rounded characters capable of development. The rest of the characters are there for a purpose. to play a role To expose a foible To act as a foil To act as a hinderer To exemplify a quality

19. You will be given a character to discuss. Using the character notes (next), brainstorm notes on each topic and quotations from the text to support your points. You have one lesson to have this task done. All of your notes will be put together in a booklet for study. In groups of 3-4

20. Physical description Personality Role in the novel Themes they highlight 8 important quotes, one for each of the above at least. Notes on Character

21. To find the point of view, ask through whose eyes is the story being told? This is called the angle of narration. This is where the narrator stands in relation to the world of the novel. Narrative Point of View

22. The angle of narration is important because it shapes our view of the world of the novel and the characters who inhabit this world.

23. First person by A principal Character Narrator is personally involved in the story First person Fallible The narrator is either too young Or lacks understanding, leaving the reader To make judgements for themselves. First person By a minor Character Not a principal character in the story but still involved Styles Third person Limited The narrator stands outside the world of the novel Third person Omniscient Like Third Person limited but the narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the principal Characters.

24. Something which is representative of something else, other than the literal meaning. A motif is a recurring symbol in a text. What symbols and allusions can you think of from the text? Symbols

25. Foreshadowing is a technique used by authors to provide clues for the reader to be able to predict what might occur later in the story. In other words, it is a literary device in which an author drops subtle hints about plot developments to come later in the story. Foreshadowing

26. This is what the novel is really about. It is not the subject but the significance of the subject. There can be more than one theme in a novel. A theme may be explicit or implicit. The key to finding a theme is the word significance. Theme is the working together of symbols and motifs, characters, conflicts and resolutions and setting. Themes

27. A theme is a message that the author wants us to receive. We must ask ourselves; What is the author telling us? What view or perception about people, relationships or the world does he/she represent? We need to look at the author’s background and their attitude towards the subjects to understand this. Make sure you read a biography of Khalid and watch some of his interviews on Youtube so you understand his purpose and attitude.

28. When commenting on an author’s style, this means looking closely at their choice of; plot structure characters setting narrative style An Author’s style?

29. sentence types vocabulary used distinctive language use symbolism figurative language tone language register (.eg slang, collaquial, formal etc) Allusions, images Most important is..

30. Quiz • What do we know about the Capitol? • They speak in funny accents, value surface appearances, plastic surgery and entertainment. Very shallow people. • What do we know of District 12? • Poor coal mining district located in the region formerly known as Appalachia. Katniss and her family live in the poor section of District 12, the Seam. • What is the hob? • The black market • What surrounds District 12? • Electrified fences

31. The uprising of the districts is known as the • Dark days • After the destruction of District 13, the conflict was ended by the signing of • The treaty of treason. • Panem is supposed to be like • Ancient Rome • Panem et Circenses means • Bread and circuses. • What does this mean? • The Roman empire tried to keep the masses happy and docile by keeping their bellies full and their minds entertained.

32. What is the style of narration? • First person limited • Shmoop quizzes

33. Group discussion • How do Peeta and Katniss feel about Panem? • How does the fact that the tributes are filmed affect their behaviour? • Does this make it easier for them to accept their fate? • Why are the tributes given stylists? • What other ceremonies can you relate the tribute ceremony to? • Did Haymitch create the ‘star crossed lovers’ story? • Why do they need to impress sponsors? • How does Katniss’s relationship with her Mum, Primrose and Gale affect who she is? • What does Peeta fear more than death? Is he able to stay true to himself? • What qualities keep Katniss going? Her capacity for love, intelligence, self control?

34. Short Answers • WHY DO YOU THINK THE HUNGER GAMES IS A BEST SELLER? • WHAT CHARACTER CAN YOU RELATE TO THE MOST? • DOES A TRIBUTE EVER REALLY WIN THE HUNGER GAMES? • WAS IT WRONG OF KATNISS TO ACT LIKE SHE WAS IN LOVE WITH PEETA IF SHE WAS NOT SURE? • WHEN IS VIOLENCE ENTERTAINMENT? • WHEN IS VIOLENCE JUST VIOLENCE? • HOW DOES OUR FAMILY BACKGROUND, OUR CLASS, OR OUR OCCUPATION CHANGE THE WAY WE SEE THE WORLD? • WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE REALITY TV SHOW? WHY? • HOW MUCH IS ACTUALLY REALITY OR ARE THEY JUST ACTING FOR THE AUDIENCE?

35. What do you think is the cruellest part of the Hunger Games? • Can you see parallels between the games and the society who condone them? • When does Katniss first realise her feelings for Peeta? • What makes Katniss and Peeta trust each other to become partners? • Why do groups form in the beginning when they know only one of them will be able to survive? • “The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.”: Karl Marx Discuss? • What class struggles do we have in NZ? World? Do you think we will ever eradicate class struggles in the future?What other aspects of our popular culture do you see reflected in the Hunger Games? (apart from reality tv)

36. The Hunger games figuratively • To think above or beyond the word surface meaning. • What is the other Hunger Games going on in the book? • Katniss’s life in District 12 is pretty much a competition to survive against poverty and starvation and hunger. • There are no tv’s, camera’s or winners or losers so it’s not literally a game. • How is District 12 alike the arena? • The cruel government controls Katniss and the people of District 12 the same way that the game makers control her in the arena.

37. Historical parallel • During the colonial period, a huge chunk of North America was also split into thirteen colonies. • These regions reported to the fancy pants British as that region of the North America was then considered part of the domain of the British Empire. • Just as in the Hunger Games, colonists in North America supplied folks back in England with goods such as cotton and tobacco; and much like the capitol, the British government often imposed rules, laws, and restrictions on the colonies that the people living there felt to be unfair. • The colonists eventually decided it was time for liberty or death so this is how the Revolutionary war began. Figures like George Washington came on the scene to fight the red coats (British).

38. SO! • What does this all mean?

39. In Short • The 13 districts of Panem are in a very similar position as the original North American colonies. • Both have fallen under the rule of a tyrannical system of government. Unlike the original colonies, whose story we can read about in American history books, we don’t yet know the fate of the 13 colonies of Panem. • For homework, find other examples of tyrannical countries/regimes that were defeated.