The World of Panem
Interpreting Society, Geography, and Characters of the Hunger Games
Tag: suzanne-collins
Burdock Everdeen’s Family Lineage: Who Is His Mother?
Another ongoing mystery from Sunrise involves Burdock’s own parents and, by association, his Covey’s family lineage. Collins’ narrative through Haymitch purposely hides this information as she often does. However, important clues abound, both overt and subtle. Early on, a teenage Burdock sees Lenore Dove… Continue Reading “Burdock Everdeen’s Family Lineage: Who Is His Mother?”
The Naming of Maysilee Donner: Not What You Might Think
Author’s Preface: With so much attention focused now on Maysilee’s character in Sunrise, it dawned on me that I still wasn’t sure about Collins’ inspirations for her first and last names. It seemed that previous writers from the trilogy era had not sufficiently solved… Continue Reading “The Naming of Maysilee Donner: Not What You Might Think”
Decoding the Sunrise Title: David Hume’s Other Lesson
More than a reference to a literal sunrise on reaping day, Collins’ brilliant title manages to tap into one of the most famous philosophical arguments from the Enlightenment Era. While the lion’s share of attention probably focuses on Scottish philosopher David Hume’s concept of… Continue Reading “Decoding the Sunrise Title: David Hume’s Other Lesson”
How are Haymitch and Katniss Alike? PART 2
As discussed in Part 1, the original trilogy features a subplot that follows the growing familial — if challenging– bond between Haymitch and Katniss. Now in Part 2, we’ll focus on how the Sunrise prequel enhances our understanding of both complicated characters. Admittedly, the… Continue Reading “How are Haymitch and Katniss Alike? PART 2”
How the Sunrise Film Might (or Should) Tell Haymitch’s Story
With the fandom all abuzz about the likely return of Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Woody Harrelson for cameo appearances in Sunrise, why should we necessarily need to wait until the story’s conclusion to enjoy this treat? Although not aligned directly with the novel,… Continue Reading “How the Sunrise Film Might (or Should) Tell Haymitch’s Story”
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?”
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!)”
Burdock’s Clues to a Third Prequel and Other Loose Ends in Sunrise
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,… Continue Reading “Burdock’s Clues to a Third Prequel and Other Loose Ends in Sunrise”
Meet the Author
Tom Paradis
This site inspired by a first-year seminar on the Hunger Games at Butler University.
The World of Panem 