The Hunger Games as an Allegory (Spoiler Alert)

Post Reply New Topic

I saw the movie The Hunger Games yesterday and feel it is a fitting allegory for U.S. politics today. Although I have not read the books, the movie gives a quick review of The Hunger Games' backstory: Seventy-four years ago, there was a rebellion against the federal government, destructive civil war. Eventually, a new, powerful central government arose in the Capitol, and the fifty states were reorganized as the twelve districts of Panem. As part of a peace treaty with the outlying districts, they are to send two tributes yearly (male and female) to do battle to the death in the Hunger Games.

I surmise that the rebellion against the government was led by patriotic Americans, probably of a Tea Party persuasion after continued overreach by the federal government. I think this shows where TARP, the bailouts, ObamaCare, cap and trade, gay rights, etc. will lead: apocalyptic war and then a tyrannical dictatorship. As we all know, ObamaCare is the grossest affront to freedom we've seen since Hitler's troops marched throughout Europe and the Red Army threatened America in a Cold War. Presumably, into President Barack Obama's second term, he makes secret deals with the Russians and enacts a hyper-liberal, socialist agenda. In 2016, he decides he doesn't want to give up the reins of power and calls off the elections, declaring a state of emergency and martial law. After the dust settles after a civil war, a new government is established that has no need to pay lip service to any constitution. The twelve districts of Panem are literally subjugated peoples, paying a human tribute to the Capitol.

In the districts, people are dirt poor and live on 19th-century technology. In the Capitol, decadence prevails with advanced technology; a constant media; and vein, flamboyant attire. They are bloodthirsty for their yearly gladiatorial "pageant," seeing it as just another reality TV show to entertain them. A probably gay stylist helps Katniss Everdeen (the protoganist) prepare for the Hunger Games. He is sympathetic yet complicit. That is, by being "liberated," gays have become willing to bend over backward in serving the tyrannical government. The Capitol shows directly where a decadent, socially liberal culture will lead: a populace concerned more about garish style, Hollywood entertainment and gossipy social media, gays living in sin, casual barbarism, and a sadistic overlord who can rule over them all without their notice.

This is a chilling reminder why we should all vote for freedom-loving men like Rick Santorum or Newt Gingrich.

1. Why the hell are you going off the movie and have not read the books
2. Why would he wait until his possible second term to do this

Have you read anything about how rick santorum is insane?

edit: unless it turns out you are being sarcastic, which is very suttle

Last edited by Alexender on 01 Apr 2012, 11:08 am, edited 1 time in total.

I am reading the book at the moment. It is basically The Running Man film from the 1980's which I think was a remake or was based on an older film/book.

1. Oh, please, before the movies, no one knew what The Hunger Games was. It's this month's big thing on the silver screen.

2. Remember when Obama told Russian president Medvedev that he would have more leeway to negotiate a treaty after the elections? Come 2013, if he is re-elected, liberalism will be coming at us full-throttle. There will be an individual mandate to attend gay S&M raves, fueled by club drugs and leather chaps. The "green sector" of marijuana and bongs will be publicly subsidized. Obama will capitulate not just to Russia but also to China, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, and Brazil. NPR tote bags will be everywhere. This is all to hide the fact that liberals are truly motivated by a sadistic need to dominate, control, and subjugate; their blood lust against their own people knows no bounds.

Well I was a senior in highschool last year so that might be why I knew about it more, starting around 2 years ago it was one of the most sought after books in the library

The Hunger Games novel was published during the Bush Administration and was probably intended to be a parody of a conservative administration future. Remember that the liberals shamelessly compared the Bush Administration to the Third Reich and even the Sith . The movie just happened to come during the Obama Administration incidentally.
I haven't seen the movie yet but it's on my to-do list.

I wouldn't go as far as calling those two or any other politician "freedom loving" but I'll vote for either Santorum or Gingrich them over Obama if it comes to that.....

Yes, the book was published by Scholastic, which caters to schools; I remember, in grade school, we'd get monthly Scholastic flyers; different colors were for different grades/reading levels. Back then, the reading craze was R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series.

I've been trying to take my gf to see this one for a week now... might have to go myself

All movies are allegories to something or another. So I guess people as a whole are so satisfied with our society today that no one wants more future movies? Only a handful of them come out every year...

wow, I find it fascinating that you are focused on your assumed errors of the "before," instead of the clearly spelled out errors of the "now," in the story. The story strikes ME as a stinging allegory against the 1% and total indifference of the "haves" to the needs of everyone else, as well as a statement about how the powerful of ANY stripe seem to live in a bubble from where they can do real harm. Very ANTI Gingrich and the current crop of Republicans candidates in my opinion, given how they justify leaving the downtrodden exactly as they are on the assumption they "deserve" to be there. All this "small government" talk is nothing but "I don't want to share;" they are TOTALLY happy to have government overreach when it meets THEIR ideology; -at least Democrats are upfront about it.

I haven't had a chance to see the movie or read the book, but my son has, and many friends have, and they see it more in the above vein than anything like what you describe. I've heard a lot of lunch room and dinner table talk.

Goes to show how a good story can be twisted to meet the needs of the imagination of any viewer, doesn't it? But if we get the author on the line, I'm going to bet I called it closer to what was intended. The back story is usually simply the excuse to set up the allegory, not the actual allegory itself.

Or maybe there is no allegory, just a story that speaks to the intangible fears people hold at the moment.

Now, "The Giver," on the other hand, could probably be construed as a solid warning against over-extending certain aspects of liberal thought. I have no problem admitting that, and it is good for someone of my ideology to keep that warning in mind. Perhaps you need to do the same with this story, and read the book now with a more open mind, and understand what it says AGAINST certain conservative thought processes.

As soon as I get past this work dealine, I intend to dive onto the book and movie. No doubt I'll have more refined thoughts and actual authority then.


wait ... did I fall for an April fools joke?

Last edited by DW_a_mom on 02 Apr 2012, 12:59 am, edited 2 times in total.

If you pick a side, you're fighting someone else's war and neglecting your agenda. It's not exactly a secret.

Thank you for making me laugh.

Oh good lord! ObamaCare is socialist? PLEASE!! !! Here's an interesting read for you:
Green Party Statement
I was hoping to find Socialist Party USA's statement, but couldn't (I know it's around somewhere though). But the Green Party is pretty left wing, so it will have to do.

Also, the left also claims that the Hunger Games supports their points:
Hope and the Hunger Games--Green Left Weekly

Oh, Americans make me laugh with their complete lack of understanding of socialism. Well, except that I also want to cry...

That is, perhpas, one of the most insipid bits of literary criticism I have ever read. It would be pathetic were it not seeking to disguise to a political encomium to the right.

Let's be perfectly clear: if there is an allegory to a real political state, that state is the Roman Empire and her relationship with her client kingdoms. In the fictional nation of Panem, the districts are exploited by the Capitol in exchange for peace and roads--almost precisely the same relationship that existed in the Roman Empire. While over 200 years of Free Trade with the United States might not have done Maine a great deal of good, you cannot claim a parity of experience between Maine as one of the United States and, say, Gaul as a province of Rome.

"Obamacare is the "grossest affront to freedom since Hitler's troops marched throughout Europe and the Red Army threatened America in a Cold War?" Terms of service be damned, that is the most asinine statement I have see in a very long time on this board. For one thing, it can only be the grossest affront to freedom since conservatives proposed virtually identical measures--including the individual mandate--in 1989. Secondly, if we are moving to an international scope, there are plenty of affronts to freedom far grosser than US health care reform that have taken place since the end of the Cold War.

Your hyperbole makes you look callow, stupid and unfeeling. Precisely the type of narrow minded, shallow support that Santorum and Gingrich appear to be attracting.

I suspect you are right, although I haven't read the books. My brother (who has read them) told me that apparently in the Capitol everyone will eat ridiculous amounts of food, then take a pill to throw up and then eat some more. I've heard that similar things were done in Rome. I believe they called them orgies (which did not have the sexual connotation at the time).

Hahahahahahaha!
*snort*