The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Reaction Paper

Labrador, Ana Micaela B.
2011-02178

Is The Hunger Games: Catching Fire categorized as science fiction? First, it must be taken into consideration whether dystopian fiction is an exclusively separate category from science fiction, or if one can fall under the other.

Science fiction is defined as fiction based on an imagined scientific future, typically featuring technological advances and major social or environmental changes. It frequently portrays space, time travel and/or life on other planets. By this definition, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire may count as science fiction in that it features more advanced technologies and tells the story of a imagined future more deeply integrated into the technological advancements brought about by science, though it does not primarily use these technologies as the primary focal point, nor does it use these technologies as the defining feature of the world of Panem.

I believe the film is a commentary on society in general. Even in the past, war and disagreement within a population has brought about peoples’ failure to thrive as a whole. Presently the world faces a similar problem; aggression even in small groups such as neighbors within a community is a common thing. I believe that war and animosity will never truly be settled, even in the distant future. But, such as the main characters in the movie and in the novel, it is important to still strive for peace and equality despite hardships. Such an ideal society is only possible with the cooperation of all peoples, which is logically impossible, due to peoples’ conflicting personalities and ambitions.

The concept of the Districts presents itself as more of a failure than a success. In the book it is mentioned that the 13 Districts were once comfortable living by this kind of segregation, but because the Capitol was the center of sales and commerce, its leaders and population became more corrupt and took advantage of their rights concerning such power.

Society fails in that it bred a sense of inequality in certain parts of Panem, and that these parts of Panem were reluctant to change how things worked against the less fortunate and the oppressed. People who were in power were determined to keep themselves in power. Such inequality and injustice is what fueled the tension between the Capitol and the rest of the Districts, leading to war and destruction among these peoples.

Technology and Science aids in this failure of society through the development of weapons and other harmful paraphernalia. Though Panem harnessed these technologies to make things more efficient, such as building trains and aircrafts for easier travel, it was used to the advantage of the oppressors and brought about more destruction to Panem than help.