Conflicts & Problems

Throughout The Hunger Games, there were many problems that were faced by the characters, especially by main character Katniss Everdeen. Here are three of the major problems.

The first of the major problems was that Katniss wasn’t sure how she will survive the Hunger Games. This problem happened because she volunteered to go to the Hunger Games instead of her little sister, Primrose. She didn’t exactly resolve it, rather her survival instincts kicked in. Since she had hunted before, she knew how to survive in a forest environment. Also, since her mother was a medicine woman, she knew how to take care of herself. Finally, she just stayed away from most of the tributes so they could battle it out and she would be safe.

A second major problem was that Peeta didn’t know how he would get through the Hunger Games. Since he loved another girl in the Hunger Games, Katniss, he didn’t know if to give it the best he can, and possibly win, or to sacrifice himself so she could get a chance to win. The people involved were mainly Peeta and Katniss. It was resolved in part when the Gamemakers decided that two tributes from the same District could win, and after when Katniss and Peeta formed an alliance to help each other defeat the remaining tributes so they could both win. In the end, they both did win.

The third and final major problem was when the Gamemakers changed the rules. Before these Games, the rule said that one tribute could win the Games. However, since they were influenced by Peeta’s love for Katniss, they changed the rules to allow two tributes from the same District to win the Games. When Peeta and Katniss defeated the remaining tributes, the Gamemakers decided to change the rules back to the original rules. When Peeta and Katniss learned about this, they planned to double suicide themselves by eating poison berries, so that there would be no winner and so it could be a blow into the Gamemaker’s and Capitol’s faces. As they were about to swallow the berries, the Gamemakers allowed for Katniss and Peeta to both be winners.

Dear Friend...

Friday, April 2, 2010

Dear Peeta Mellark,

I have read about your experiences in The Hunger Games novel and you are my favorite character. There are so many things that you did in the story that I can relate to in my life. Though you are two years older than me, I admire the many things that you have done and I want you to know that if you need someone to relate to, I can certainly help you out with life.

I admire that you take any risk to take care of your love, Katniss. I can tell you that I can relate to that, as I have helped protect people that I have liked and admired in my life. I also admire how you can help people and still expect nothing in return. Not to be self-centered and conceded, but I can tell you that I am definitely that kind of person that likes to help out others without expecting anything in return. Finally, I admire your courage to not only tell Katniss that you like her, but publically saying it and have her resent you after. Still after, you keep that hope alive that you might be with her, and it paid off.

There are some things that I would like to give you some advice on. First of all, even when you are sick and don’t want to eat, listen to Katniss. She will like you better that if she is forced to give you affection so you can eat. Secondly, before you help Katniss, help yourself to make sure that you are safe from Cato and other threats. That way, you can reduce injuries and spend more time helping out Katniss. My final piece of advice is to forgive Katniss for telling you that the double suicide plan wasn’t a love thing, because she was a bit confused. That’s about all I’d like to tell you, and hope that my advice helps.

Sincerely,

Ryan Lopez

Setting

Most of the story takes place in the Hunger Games arena, which is a forest in which the tributes have to survive in until they finish each other off. In the middle of the forest, where the tributes start the game, there is a small sandy beach with a lake. The rest of the arena is an endless forest with lush, green trees and plants of all sorts. There are streams and rivers here and there which provide sources of water. The forest is also rich in animal species, including rabbits and wild goose which the tributes can hunt in. Overall, it is a very dense, common, green forest.

Suzanne Collins

Suzanne Collins was born in 1963. As a child, she moved from town to town because her father served as an airman in the Air Force. When she was older, she attended New York University and she received a Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dramatic Writing. After she graduated, in the 1980’s she moved to New York City. After, in the 1990’s, she began to work on children’s television shows. When she was working on a Kids WB show called Generation O!, she met a guy named James Proimos who convinced her to try to begin to write children’s literature. She currently lives in Connecticut.

In addition to The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins has written many other books for children. One of the most relevant other titles is the sequels to The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. Other titles include The Gregor the Overlandor, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, Gregor and the Marks of the Secret, and Gregor and the Code of Claw. These five books are part of The Underland Chronicles, a recreation of Alice in Wonderland that takes place in an urban setting. Two more titles are Fire Proof: Shelby Woo #11 and When Charlie McButton Lost Power. That’s a little bit about Suzanne Collins.