Themes and Symbolism in Hunger Games

Study Notes

Themes and Symbolism in Hunger Games

Peeta's Bread
- Represents hope, survival, and the bonds of friendship.
Dandelion
- Symbolizes spring, sustenance, and renewal, offering hope in dire circumstances.
Mockingjay
- Stands for rebellion and the fight against oppression.
Mockingjay Pin
- Emphasizes respect and the spirit of survival amidst rebellion.
Peeta
- Embodies love and steadfast friendship, crucial to Katniss’s journey.
The Silent Salute
- A poignant gesture signifying love, farewell, and respect for the fallen.
The Woods
- A multifaceted symbol representing hope, freedom, frustration, and rebellion through survival.
Katniss the Plant
- Directly linked to survival, highlighting resourcefulness in adversity.
Katniss's Outfits
- Reflect themes of survival, transformation, and the impact of anger and destruction through the visual narrative of fashion.
Rue
- Illustrates the theme of friendship and the harsh realities of inhumanity within the Games.
Rue's Flowers
- Signifies love, respect, and an emblem of rebellion against the oppressive regime.
Bread from District 11
- A gesture of support, expressing gratitude and respect amid hardship.
Poisonous Berries
- A bold act of rebellion highlighting defiance against injustice.
Violence/Wars
- Central to the conflict, encapsulating the brutality of the Hunger Games.
Survival
- A core theme embodied by Peeta, Katniss, and her family’s willingness to endure at all costs.
Humanity/Inhumanity
- Humanity is expressed through acts of kindness, while inhumanity is showcased in the deaths and apathy of others.
Government Control
- Depicts the oppressive nature of the government manipulating districts and enforcing the Hunger Games.
Reality TV/Desensitization
- Critiques how society consumes violence for entertainment, desensitizing viewers to the consequences.
Hope
- Manifested through connections: Peeta's bread, Madge's pin gift, Cinna's belief, and alliances formed by Katniss and Rue.
Love
- Explores various forms of love, including Peeta's unconditional love for Katniss and familial bonds.
Hunger/Starvation
- Highlights societal disparities in food distribution, contrasting district struggles with luxury in the Capital.
Friendship
- A vital theme illustrated through relationships with Peeta, Rue, and supportive characters like Cinna.
Trust
- Examines mistrust within Katniss's circles, including Peeta and Haymitch, while valuing connections with Gale, Rue, and Cinna.