The World of Panem
Interpreting Society, Geography, and Characters of the Hunger Games
Tag: Hunger Games
Sunrise on the 70s: Shag Carpet, Wood Paneling, and Orange Everywhere
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… Continue Reading “Sunrise on the 70s: Shag Carpet, Wood Paneling, and Orange Everywhere”
Pa Abernathy’s Big Metaphor: Painting Posters and Reclaiming the Narrative
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… Continue Reading “Pa Abernathy’s Big Metaphor: Painting Posters and Reclaiming the Narrative”
Inside the Baffling Gamemaker Scene in Sunrise: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Implicit Submission?
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.… Continue Reading “Inside the Baffling Gamemaker Scene in Sunrise: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Implicit Submission?”
Inside the Dome: Plutarch, Haymitch, and Renaissance Architecture in District 11
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… Continue Reading “Inside the Dome: Plutarch, Haymitch, and Renaissance Architecture in District 11”
Two Generations of Donners: The Sweetshop, Marshmallows, Mayor’s House, Piano, Merrilee’s Illness, Canaries, and the Mockingjay Pin (Whew!)
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… Continue Reading “Two Generations of Donners: The Sweetshop, Marshmallows, Mayor’s House, Piano, Merrilee’s Illness, Canaries, and the Mockingjay Pin (Whew!)”
Strawberry Connections: Why Mags Sends Ice Cream Into the Arena and Trilogy Tie-ins
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… Continue Reading “Strawberry Connections: Why Mags Sends Ice Cream Into the Arena and Trilogy Tie-ins”
Playing the Long Game: Plutarch’s Lesson for Haymitch and Humanity
Guest Post by Helena Kazenski, Butler University WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW for Sunrise on the Reaping Collins’ latest prequel has been met with great excitement from old and new fans alike. And the appearance of a younger cameraman named Plutarch has certainly driven some of… Continue Reading “Playing the Long Game: Plutarch’s Lesson for Haymitch and Humanity”
Trajan Heavensbee: A Featured Ancestor in Sunrise Appears First in a Surprising Place.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping Beyond all the familiar names and revelations we encounter in Sunrise, none made my jaw drop more than the mention of Trajan Heavensbee’s portrait in the family mansion. We “meet the Heavensbees” through Haymitch’s cynical eyes… Continue Reading “Trajan Heavensbee: A Featured Ancestor in Sunrise Appears First in a Surprising Place.”
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”
Meet the Author
Tom Paradis
This site inspired by a first-year seminar on the Hunger Games at Butler University.
The World of Panem 