English 2F - Children's Lit
Response 10 -The Hunger Games

Purpose: To analyze the elements of fantasy, to identify the potential responses of children to the book, to explore the question of how fantasy affects children psychologically, emotionally and soacially.

Directions: 

Note: The responses are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion.  I will not censor these responses in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions.  You can write as much as you want, as long as you meet the minimum length requirements for the assignment

1. Read Suzanne Collins 's The Hunger Games.

2.  Review the material on fantasy from Module 6. 

3. Choose one of the questions below and write a 1-2 page response. Include quotes from the book to back up your ideas.

  • How does Collins portray the battle between good and evil? How is evil characterized? How is good characterized? What do you think she is suggesting about the nature of good and evil, particularly in the context of the book, which depicts the future of North America? What is she suggesting is 'our' particular brand of good and evil, and what does she suggest may be some of the ways we can combat evil?
  • In "The Real Reason Children Love Fantasy", author Gopnik suggests that "children may have such an affinity for the imaginary just because they are so single-mindedly devoted to finding the truth". Do you think the fantasy premise allows children more freedom to search for 'truth'? Why or why not? What 'truths' does Collins present to her audience in this book? What is she suggesting about human nature, and about our own culture in particular?
  • Dystopia. Would you call this fictional world that Lowry has created a dystopia? Why or why not? Give the criteria for a dystopian novel, and discuss the intended effect on the audience of dystopian novels. Argue whether The Giver is an example of the genre or not
  • Discuss the mythological elements of this story. What elements can you identify that are borrowed from other, older stories? How does Collins update those elements to appeal to a modern audience? How does she use these elements to create a dystopian vision of our future?

4. Submit your response.

5. Extra Credit Option: Post your response to the extra credit forums, "Response 10 - The Hunger Games " .  You will receive extra credit if you post your response and/or respond to at least one other student's posting.