The Story Behind The Hunger Games
"And may the odds be ever in your favor!"
Panem is made up of 12 very different districts. Starting with the first district and working down to the 12, going in order from most to least prosperous. District 1 is decorated with elaborate make up and unimaginable technology. The life of those residing in the first few districts is extravagant and arguably easy. As the districts progress further down, however, life becomes more and more difficult. Like the 10th and 11th districts that focus on livestock and agriculture.
" "Do you get all the coal you want?" Rue asks.
"No," I answer. "Just what we buy and whatever we track in on our boots."
"They feed us a bit extra during harvest, so that people can keep going longer," says Rue. "
page 203
People are chosen from each district once every year. Children between the ages of 12 and 18 have their name entered and accumulate every year. A name of one boy and one girl is picked at random during "The Reaping" which is televised for all the people of Panam to watch. After names are drawn, there is the opportunity for volunteers to take the place of a chosen tribute. This is very common in the upper districts where "career" tributes are trained throughout their early life but rarely happens in the lower districts.
The Hunger Games began as a way to show the districts that the Capital is in control of all of the districts. After the revolt of the now decimated district 13, the ritualistic fight to the death is a reminder to the remaining districts the Capital has the ultimate control over all of the districts.
The Hunger Games began as a way to show the districts that the Capital is in control of all of the districts. After the revolt of the now decimated district 13, the ritualistic fight to the death is a reminder to the remaining districts the Capital has the ultimate control over all of the districts.
For every Hunger Games the arena is set up in a different way. In years past, arenas can range from an open desert to snow covered mountains. For the 74th Hunger Games, the terrain has rivers, caves, hills, and lots of trees.
This landscape is used to Katniss's advantage to survive the games. Her hunting, climbing and overall wilderness survival skills would put any boy scout to same. With this wooded environment, she is able to sustain shelter and hunt for food. She gains an edge over her competition by being able to hide high in the tree tops or caves, and has ample food supply from small animal, fish, and gathering simple foods like berries and nuts.
This landscape is used to Katniss's advantage to survive the games. Her hunting, climbing and overall wilderness survival skills would put any boy scout to same. With this wooded environment, she is able to sustain shelter and hunt for food. She gains an edge over her competition by being able to hide high in the tree tops or caves, and has ample food supply from small animal, fish, and gathering simple foods like berries and nuts.
" For a moment, my eyes are dazzled by the bright sunlight and I'm conscious only of the strong wind with the hopeful smell of pine trees. "
page 147
" We're on a flat, open stretch of ground. A plain hardpacked dirt. Behind the tributes across from me, I can see nothing, indicating either a steep downward slope, or even a cliff. To my right lies a lake. To my left and back, sparse piney woods. "
page 148
" The arenas are historic sites, preserved after the Games. Popular destinations for Capital residents to visit, to vacation. "
page 144
Despite any skills each tribute may have, the Game Makers have total control over the envoirnment once the Games begin. Every year, the arena is carefully designed by the game makers to be equally challenging for the tributes as it is exciting for those viewing in the Capitol. The arena is set up to have obsticles and traps for the tributes, like trackerjacker nests and fire cannons. At any turn in the arena, the tributes are contantly being monitered. In addition to their tracking devices, there are cameras everywhere to catch every moment of the games on tape. Whether up in a tree or down in a cave, there are cameras to catch all of the action. The gamemakers also have the ablitlity to control every bit of the envoirnment in the game. From week long rain storms to drastic day to night temperature changes, the gamemakers have the ultimate control over the out come of the Hunger Games.
" Muttations. No question about it. I've never seen these mutts, but they're no natural-born animals. "
page 331
" . . . we reach the stream. Or what used to be the stream. Now there's only a bone-dry bed. I put my hand down to feel it.
"Not even a little damp. They must have drained it while we slept," I say. "
page 326
" The game has taken a twist. The fire was just to get us moving, now the audience will get to see some real fun. . . Somewhere, in a cool and spotless room, a Gamermaker sits at a set of controls, fingers on the triggers that could end my life in second. All that is needed is a direct hit. "
page 175
" A lifetime of watching the Hunger Games lets me know that certain areas of the arena are rigged for certian attacks. "
page 175