Sacrifices Made for the Greater Good? (Exam Question # 5)

The Hunger Games is full of sacrifices. Katniss makes a huge personal sacrifice when she takes her sister's place in the Hunger Games. She and Peeta sacrifice themselves for each other at the end of the Games when they pop the berries in their mouth. Katniss and Peeta are willing to die together. Or they would have, if the announcer hadn't stopped them. Sacrifices make a big impact because they remind us that human life means something. In a world of reality entertainment like the Hunger Games, that can be a very powerful thing.

Discuss how the following quote exemplifies the theme of sacrifice in The Hunger Games.

I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do that there is a part of every tribute they can't own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I. 

A few steps into the woods grows a bank of wildflowers. Perhaps they are really weeds of some sort, but they have blossoms in beautiful shades of violet and yellow and white. I gather up an armful and come back to Rue's side. Slowly, one stem at a time. I decorate her body in the flowers. Covering the ugly wound. Wreathing her face. Weaving her hair with bright colors. (18.38-39)

The Evolution of Identity... (Exam Question # 4)

The evolution of one's identity is continuous, and we see this first-hand through the characters of Katniss and Peeta in The Hunger Games.  In order to survive, they must evolve, and as their ideals progress, their identities do as well. 

Participation in the games changes the tributes.  This is clear in Haymitch's demeanor, and even in Katniss and Peeta as they play.  However, Peeta makes a declaration to Katniss during a conversation prior to the beginning of the games that speaks volumes about how important our identities are to us.  He states:


"I don't know how to say it exactly. Only…I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?" he asks. I shake my head. How could he die as anyone but himself? "I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster that I'm not."

I bite my lip, feeling inferior. While I've been ruminating on the availability of trees, Peeta has been struggling with how to maintain his identity. His purity of self. "Do you mean you won't kill anyone?" I ask.

"No, when the time comes, I'm sure I'll kill just like everybody else. I can't go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to…to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games," says Peeta.

Considering the game itself, why do you think it is so important for Peeta to maintain who he is?  What would be the consequences of losing himself during the games?

Society and Class: The Haves vs. The Have Nots (Exam Question #3)

Society and class are discussed quite frequently in relation to how tributes are prepared to participate in and potentially win the games.  The quote below discusses Katniss' ideals on her fellow tributes.

"The exceptions are the kids from the wealthier districts, the volunteers, the ones who have been fed and trained throughout their lives for this moment. The tributes from 1, 2, and 4 traditionally have this look about them. It's technically against the rules to train tributes before they reach the Capitol but it happens every year. In District 12, we call them the Career Tributes, or just the Careers. And like as not, the winner will be one of them." (7.51)

What would make someone want to volunteer to become a tribute?  Why would one place his or her life on the line to participate in the games when it's not necessary?  How can this relate to real life (the idea of "the haves vs. the have nots)?

The Role of the Gamemakers (Exam Question #2)

The Gamemakers are the people who are completely in control of the competition. Like Greek Gods, they are removed from the action, but are still on hand to move the game pieces around the board.  They can literally insert or remove ANYTHING found in the games; this can include trees, rocks, or any other tangible item found within the arena.  If they choose, they can even create fires, storms, and other challenges for the players.

If you were named Gamemaker in the next year's Hunger Games, what kind of arena would you create?  Describe it in detail below.  (Include descriptions of the climate, the booby traps you'd include, and the supplies you'd leave in the Cornucopia for the tributes to fight over).  BE VERY DESCRIPTIVE!!!
(This is one of the questions that will count toward your exam, so answer it carefully.)

POWER, a motif in T.H.G. (Exam Question #1)

The theme of power quickly becomes a motif in The Hunger Games.  There are a number of ways the government or Capitol uses fear in order to maintain power and control over the people of Panem.  Look at the example provided below of how the Capitol uses fear, then answer the questions that follow:

“What’s an Avox?” I ask stupidly.
“Someone who committed a crime. They cut her tongue so she can’t speak,” says Haymitch. “She’s probably a traitor of some sort. Not likely you’d know her.” (6.23-24)

As we learn here, traitors to the government have their tongues cut out and become servants called Avoxes.

Why do you think it’s significant that the government removes the tongue? What is it about being able to speak that’s so important?

THIS WILL COUNT AS AN EXAM QUESTION, SO ANSWER CAREFULLY!

Man Vs. Wild!!!

Man vs. Wild- COULD YOU SURVIVE?

Would You Survive in the Wild?

List below is the link to a questionnaire featuring 12 questions.  Take the quiz to see if  you'd survive in the wild?  Some of you were terrible Hunger Games tributes, so let's see if you do better this time around.

Would You Survive in the Wild?

Comparing "The Lottery" and The Hunger Games

After reading and comparing "The Lottery" to The Hunger Games, which do you think is more cruel, and why? BE SURE TO SUPPORT YOUR ANSWER!

Could You Survive the Hunger Games?

Do you think you would survive as a participant in the Hunger Games?  Access the website below to find out.  When you've finished the game, reply with your answer and note what caused you to loose your life during the game, if your character happens to die before you finish the games. DO NOT ANSWER BEFORE PLAYING THE GAME! Can You Survive the Hunger Games?

Character Identity

After discussing the main characters from The Hunger Games, which character do you identify with the most and why? (If you need to review the characters we've discussed, a list of them and their descriptions can be found on Edmodo.) Insert a picture of the character you have selected with your response.

Welcome to our unit on Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games!  Please remember  that ALL of  your assessments will be provided via Blogger.  Access the blog at the beginning of each class to locate and answer your "DO NOW" question.  While you will be informed when there are blogs that you should provide answers to, it is YOUR responsibility to check daily for blogs that require a response from you. Due dates exists for each post, and you will be informed of those as well.  Obviously, DO NOW questions must be completed before the end of your class period.  Keep an eye on your time!  You will be managing your own completion of the audio book and blog responses, so a failure to complete the book or any blog response is yours and yours alone.  The majority of this unit will be completed individually, so remember to complete your work in a timely manner, and most importantly HAVE FUN with it!


DO NOW #1


Let's discuss the following issues momentarily.  You must be able to justify your answer, no matter which option you choose.  


1. The selection process for the reaping
2. The Capitol's reasoning for the existence of the games
3. The inclusion of only young boys and girls


JUSTIFIABLE or IRRATIONAL; explain why for EACH!