The World of Panem
Interpreting Society, Geography, and Characters of the Hunger Games
Category: Music and Songs
The Goose and the Common: An Unexpected nod to (New) England in Sunrise on the Reaping
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping As early as page 5 in Sunrise, we learn that Collins seems to maintain some kind of fascination with geese. Haymitch’s “girl,” Lenore Dove, treats about a dozen of them (lots of “dozens” show up in… Continue Reading “The Goose and the Common: An Unexpected nod to (New) England in Sunrise on the Reaping”
The Valley Song as Country Music Exemplar
(NOTE: Spoiler Alert for the Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.) Readers of The Hunger Games learn about “the valley song” during Peeta’s recollection of his early adoration for Katniss: “So that day, in music assembly, the teacher asked who knew the valley song. Your… Continue Reading “The Valley Song as Country Music Exemplar”
Tam Amber’s “Teardrop” Mandolin
(NOTE: Spoiler Alert for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.) Some readers may be surprised to see a rather obscure string instrument show up in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes—namely Tam Amber’s mandolin. As the narrator describes, he “proved something of a standout… Continue Reading “Tam Amber’s “Teardrop” Mandolin”
The Covey’s Mountain Music and the “High, Lonesome Sound”
(Note: Spoiler Alert for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) (Author’s Note: This is a draft excerpt from my future book focusing on the culture of District 12, still taking shape as of this writing.) One of the southern Appalachian region’s most distinctive cultural… Continue Reading “The Covey’s Mountain Music and the “High, Lonesome Sound””
Keep on the Sunny Side: A Brief History and Very Brief Appearance in “Ballad”
(Revised and Expanded April 8, 2025) One aspect of the Ballad prequel that astonished many of us is the incredible central role that music plays in the story. Of course, this is directly implied by the book’s title. Some of the numerous songs included… Continue Reading “Keep on the Sunny Side: A Brief History and Very Brief Appearance in “Ballad””
Clementine, Gold Mining and District 12
(NOTE: Spoiler Alert for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes). Probably one of the more recognizable songs we enjoy in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is one that Maude Ivory adores (and one that bugs Coriolanus to no end): “Oh My Darling, Clementine”.… Continue Reading “Clementine, Gold Mining and District 12”
Meet the Author
Tom Paradis
This site inspired by a first-year seminar on the Hunger Games at Butler University.
The World of Panem 