Media is used to allegorize political systems

Many authors use their capability to create novels that allegorize politics, government officials, and social conflict to convey their message to common people of all ages. For example, in George Orwell’s satire fiction, “Animal Farm” (1945), he reveals Russia’s corrupt government by telling the story through the vocality of farm animals and their classifying, different levels of intelligence, and education. To look through a more modern lens, let us take a look at “Mockingjay.” Starting off as the third book of the trilogy: The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins, and just recently made into a two-part film on the big screen, it would be an understatement to say the trilogy has come a long way. Collins creates her masterpiece which has become a big hit directed towards all age groups, but has a big impact on young adults. With more than 50 million copies sold of the trilogy, translated into 26 languages, and since its release in 2010, it has made its way to top charts, being announced #1 bestseller for USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal. With “The Hunger Games” increasing popularity and broad bandwidth, people all over the world have interpreted the series and its gist.

Through the perspective of a young female by the name Katniss Everdeen, an allegory is told through her struggle, and the struggle of those around her to survive in a poor vicinity where poverty flourishes, black markets flourish as well to provide people with items of scarcity. Twelve districts ruled by a totalitarian leader, President Snow. Many parallels can already be drawn between the synopsis and way of life in many different countries all around the world.

In book two of the trilogy, Catching Fire: The Hunger Games, there is a gruesome scene where Katniss’ longtime lover, Gale Hawthorne, is punished for hunting in the forest. He is flogged repeatedly in the public square by an unremorseful peacekeeper. Peacekeepers are installed throughout the districts, similar to the way the U.S. deploys the National Guard. Gale’s back was whipped raw down to his flesh, but was his crime sinful enough for the punishment given? The same kind of symmetry we see here is the same kind we see in the overexertion of police brutality.

In all of the messages Collins delivers to her readers, and in all of the ways the reader can interpret those messages, the media will always see it as, “Team Gale, or Team Peeta?” Literature like The Hunger Games is written for the reader to enjoy, and for the reader to understand what’s really going on in the society around them. So wake up, we read to educate ourselves, not to just fall right back into the routine of the system. Decipher Collins’ message, as well as the message from other authors, and put two and two together. Ask yourself this, is it necessary for another death to spark a revolution, or can we act today while we are still alive?