Interpreting Society, Geography, and Characters of the Hunger Games
WARNING: Spoiler Alert for Capitol design trends in Sunrise on the Reaping Upon finishing his first read of Sunrise on the Reaping, a student of mine keenly observed, “The color orange is everywhere in this book. What’s with all the orange?” I admittedly had not focused initially on how much orange is “painted” throughout the…
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping Author’s Fun Note: Sarshee Whitcomb is likely named for author and poet, James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916), known as the “Hoosier poet” in Indiana for his accomplishments in children’s poetry and as a best-selling author. Given that Suzanne Collins completed her bachelor’s degree at IU-Bloomington, this local prominent…
(Author’s Note: Material here is adapted from sections of my companion book, Behind the Ballads.) There’s no doubt that featuring Coriolanus Snow in the first prequel caused some controversy. Despite what Coryo may think, however, it’s not all about him. We find that beneath the surface of Collins’ plot and main character is a grander…
Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping No more implicit submission for you, Haymitch Abernathy. Plutarch Heavensbee (SOR 197) It appears that Collins’ fundamental message in her second prequel can be boiled down to two words: implicit submission. This concept first appears in the novel’s opening epigraph of quotes, a practice she began with…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping After a lighthearted moment with Haymitch and Maysilee tromping toward the hedge, the pair is suddenly surprised by a Career ambush (p. 296). Notably, their water jug breaks, the knife having narrowly missed both of them. So far, this is standard fare for Hunger Games action written…
WARNING: Spoilers Ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping (though no plot revelations) Perhaps no other character in Sunrise has raised more eyebrows in disgust than the repulsive Magno Stift. Making his shocking entrance as District 12’s stylist, Haymitch describes his sun-leathered skin tattooed with a snakeskin pattern, sandals laced all the way to his pelvis,…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping and (for newcomers), the trilogy! One seemingly overlooked curiosity in Collins’ saga is how much we learn about the District 11 Justice Building, both inside and out. And now in Sunrise, Plutarch becomes an essential part of this ongoing story. Much of our knowledge was first revealed…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping, and the Trilogy! Haymitch first introduces us to the Donners’ sweetshop when he buys a “little white paper bag of multicolored gumdrops — Lenore Dove’s favorite,” to share with her later (16-17). The purpose of this sentence is twofold: first, to reintroduce us to the Donner family,…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping, and the Trilogy! Upon first scan, readers of Sunrise encounter some apparently meaningless strawberries, embedded within Mag’s ice cream treat for our District 12 tributes. Those with little memory of the original trilogy could be forgiven for dismissing this otherwise mundane fact. While Prosperina — Effie’s sister…
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping (Feature Image Above: An “Old Appalachian” apothecary in Yancey County, North Carolina. See this local feature article about the “Life-changing Magic of a Mountain Medicine Man.”) Is there a third prequel coming? Katniss’ father, Burdock Everdeen, might have something to say about it. The first two chapters…
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Tom Paradis
The World of Panem 