Humanity and Justice wins the game The concept of humanity is an ideology formed and redefined by different societies. Each new generation continues to reinterpret and understand the concept In a way relevant to the needs of their society. The Hunger Games (Bibb written by Suzanne Collins, Is a compelling action packed, yet romantic story where suffering unbearably swallows the citizens of the outer districts through the grueling annual reality TV show, The Hunger Games. Two representatives from each of the 12 districts are randomly selected to ;fight to the death’ In order to be crowned Victor.
During which, the humanity of some characters Is made evident, this Includes Catkins Evergreen and PETA Mallard. Whilst Catkins and PETA retain humanity, the heartlessness of the Kingmakers and capitol representatives draw a stark contrast. Catkins retains her humanity through the way In which she deals with suffering throughout her life In Panel and especially the games. As a result of long days spent together, PETA falls in love with Catkins and does everything in his might to keep her alive, thus retaining his humanity.
Despite the Capitol’s efforts to take the tributes humanity, Catkins retains hers wrought the way she sows compassion and integrity when faced with hardships. Catkins Evergreen is an independent 16 year old who has demonstrated audacity during the times when her family was faced with hardships. Catkins reflects on how it was a normality for the people in district 12 to be poverty-stricken. “Starvation is not an uncommon fate in district 2008, page 33). After volunteering as tribute to protect her sister, Catkins fears for her family; who will take care of them?
Who will feed them and love them? She reminisces on the aftermath of her father’s death. But the money ran out and we were slowly starving to death… L could hold out until I would be twelve and be able to sign up for a teaser and get the precious grain and OLL to feed us (Page 33). She shows a pure humanity by risking her life to decrease the chance of her family suffering. Catkins fears the affliction and pain associated with suffering, which results In her retaliating against the Capitol and the Kingmakers.
She frowns upon the Capitol’s approach to suffering, the Games and the tributes. They see The Hunger Games, a competition of fight to the death, as a fun game, see suffering as entertainment and see the tributes as game pieces. The Capitol and Kingmakers assassinate Cat, the most gruesome way possible so that the audience can find true entertainment In the televised show. No viewer would turn away from the show now. From the Kingmakers’ point of view, this is the final word of entertainment (Page 412). Entertainment for the heartless viewers of the Capitol.
Catkins endeavors to discontinue this inequality by retaining her humanity and rebelling against the rules of the Games and the Capitol’s intentions of striping the tributes of their humanity. All I want is for his suffering to end… And I think the word he’s trying to say is please. Pity, not vengeance, sends my arrow flying through his scull (Page 414). She could no longer bear Cat’s suffering and consequently ended his life quickly as an act of compassion. Compassion is also demonstrated in the arena, when Catkins’ ally, Rue is shot.
She nevertheless grieves for the lost of a friend, which is the exact opposite of the Kingmakers’ intentions. I decorate her body in the flowers… For a moment, I sit there, watching my tears drip down on her face. Ruse’s cannon fires. I lean forward and press my lips against her ample (Page 287). Collins effectively uses first person and present tense to position the reader to feel like they are really there with Rue at the point of her death. It is clear how despairing Catkins feels and this emotion is then felt by the reader.
As the Capitol finds entertainment in tribute hate, Catkins befriends another tribute, this act of humanity would certainly turn heads in the Capitol. PETA Mallard is a character who retains his humanity through the love he has for Catkins Evergreen and by retaining his self importance and not letting the games take it away. Taking the kids from our districts, forcing them to kill one another while we watch – this is the Capitol’s way of reminding us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would stand of surviving another rebellion. Whatever words they use, the real message is clear. Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there’s nothing you can do. If you lift a finger, we will destroy every last one of you. Just as we did in District Thirteen. “(Page 22) This exert from Chapter 1 of The Hunger Games, is a clear demonstration of the Capitols superiority over the tributes and citizens of the outer districts. PETA wants to retain his humanity, he wants to stand strong and not let the Capitol, Kingmakers or other tributes strip him of it. The night before the Games begin, PETA shares his thoughts with Catkins. I want to die as myself…
I don’t want them to change me into some kind of monster that I’m not… PETA was struggling with how to maintain his identity. His purity of self. (Page 171) Here PETA is putting up a barrier against the Capitols efforts to steal his identity, purity and humanity. Pieta’s humanity is first introduced to the reader when Catkins reminisces on the time when he showed love ND integrity. The rain soaked [PETA] took one look back at the bakery as if checking that the coast was clear, then, his attention back on the pig, he threw a loaf of bread Capitol’s cruelty in regards to starvation and poverty.
Through the use of a flashback, Collins is able to provide background information about the character of PETA Mallard and his relationship with Catkins. He risked receiving another beating from his parent, Just to help Catkins when she needed him most. It was from that point onward, PETA constantly risked his welfare and even life to protect Catkins or save her life. In the arena, PETA Joins an alliance and misleads the other tributes in order to save her life. “Oh let her stay up there.
It’s not like she’s going anywhere. ” (Page 221). He provides her with an opportunity to plan her attack on the other tributes and then her escape. PETA risks his life to save Catkins by warning her about the tributes that were running for her. I rise, but [Pieta’s] still pushing at me… “Run! ” he screams. Run! ” Behind him, Cat slashes his way through the brush… PETA Mallard just saved my life (Page 235). PETA safeguards Catkins from the pain and suffering hat was about to be inflicted by the tribute or Kingmakers.
Collins’ use of the word ‘slashes’ positions the reader to fear Cat as he then goes ahead to ‘slash’ Pieta’s leg. PETA clearly retained his humanity in comparison to the Kingmakers, Capitol and other Tributes of The Hunger Games. Characters Catkins Evergreen and PETA Mallard retain their humanity whilst contrasting characters such as the Kingmakers, Capitol and other tributes try to take it. Catkins deals with suffering multiple times throughout the novel, which reveals her true character of compassion and integrity. PETA demonstrates true acts of selflessness to protect Catkins.
