Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” focuses on the importance of appearances in the media. Throughout the brutal competition, which is televised with the same level of excitement as a new season of “The Bachelor”, the tributes have to focus as much on their appearance as their survival skills. It starts well before the games, when the tributes enter the “Remake Center” in which they’re waxed, cleaned, and dressed to match the capital (61). Katniss’ stylist, Cinna, makes it clear that the goal with their introductions is to “make the District Twelve tributes unforgettable” (66). The games operate like a reality television show, and because of this, it’s important for the tributes to gain support and sponsors from those watching. All of the interviews and meetings leading up to the Games are intended to help them solidify a fan base, and appearance is a big part of that. They first gain support from the Capitol when they are introduced in the chariot rides, where, because of their stunning appearance, “every head is turned [their] way” (78). Before the initial presentation, the focus was on the usual suspects, the Careers from the higher districts, but once Peeta and Katniss have been decorated by the stylists, the attention of the Capitol is on them.
It’s not only physical appearance, however, that is necessary for the tributes to maintain support. Peeta’s decision to tell the Capitol that he is in love with Katniss has the intended reaction. Caesar Flickerman tells him, “I think I speak for all of Panem which I say our hearts are with yours” (133). Katniss is resistant at first, claiming that Peeta being in love with her made her “look weak”, but Haymitch counters and tells her that he “made [her] look desirable” (135). Once she understands the advantage that this gives her, she makes sure to keep in mind the “importance of the star-crossed lover routine” (281) and utilises it to gain support from the capitol, who, unlike the districts, watch the Games apparently without any real sense of the horror unfolding before them. Because they maintain their appearances and pander to the audience, Katniss and Peeta are able to receive vital help that ultimately results in their victory. It’s through their appearance alone that they win the Games, winning outside help that keeps them alive until the end.
As you said, appearance is emphasized before the games even start. At the reaping, where the tributes’ names are drawn, the ceremony is televised. When Katniss volunteers as tribute for Prim, she notices that District 12 shows their support for her by “[taking] part in the boldest form of dissent they could manage. Silence” (24). This action is purposeful, knowing that the Capitol is watching, and lets the tributes know in a symbolic way that they are supported.
ReplyDeleteSince the tributes are constantly being watched, by people in all the districts as well as each other, survival depends on their appearance. The tributes must have an image to gain support, “if you appeal to the crowd, either by being humorous or brutal or eccentric, you gain favor” (115). Ensuring support, gains favor with the sponsors who provide additional resources during the game. In this way, appearance can be twisted, and media portrayal can be dangerous. Maintaining a fan base during the games, aids Peeta and Katniss, but once they start to use that power for more rebellious reasons, the leaders in the Capitol become worried. Katniss and Peeta are warned that their televised actions were seen as threats to the Capitol and during their televised interview post-games, she knows “the previous victors didn’t have the Capitol looking for a way to destroy them” (362). Appearance during the games serves to create a spectacle and produce a winner, but it also extends to determining whether Katniss lives or dies even after the games.
I agree that the appearances of tributes are vital to their survival in the games. However, it is the audience of the Capitol citizens that determines their value. Set up by the Capitol, the Hunger games forces the districts to sacrifice their children in order to fight one another to the death. Despite putting forth their family, friend, or neighbor to fight, the opinion of the district plays no role in the tribute’s success. This is because all they can do is hope for the survival of their own district. For the entirety of the year, the districts are kept apart to prevent an uprising against the Capitol. Therefore, the attraction of the games is intended for its citizens, who have nothing at stake. Because of this, they are able to sponsor gifts and speak of the competition as a form of entertainment, rather than brutality. Without any link to a given tribute, they are able to pick and choose who they wish to become the victor. The only thing that the tributes can do is present themselves in a way that is appealing to those in the Capitol. This is seen not only through the changes of appearance, but also in well-rated skills and personalities. I believe that the focus on appearance and other characteristics is important because it allows the citizens of the Capitol to relate, without making one district’s tributes appealing to those who live in the other districts. Therefore, the focus on appearance does not only allow the tributes to gain sponsors, but it also ensures the districts are not supporting one another. With Katniss in the Hunger Games, this all started to fall apart. For the first time, a tribute received a gift from a district other than their own. In doing so, it began to show a connection, not with the Capitol, but between the citizens of the districts who were under the oppression together, yet separate.
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