Christian Holmes "Hunger Games"

The religious imagery in the "Hunger Games" film is among the most creative I have seen this semester. It is subtle and multifaceted. As opposed to other films we have watched this year, religious imagery and themes were not at the forefront of the "Hunger Games". Nevertheless, the imagery was present, and added a whole additional layer to the film. There were two primary cultural religious themes that I saw throughout the film. These themes were that of Hellenist religious practice, and of Hebraic religious practice. These two themes can be found throughout the film and play a heavy role in the premise and imagery of the film itself.

The Hellenist imagery can be seen in two key points during the film. Firstly, the selection of a warrior champion from each district harkens back to two key cultural religious practices from Greek cultures. The myth of the demi-god hero is a reoccurring theme throughout Greek culture and mythology. Examples of this include Hercules and Achilles. These heros would undergo a great task or challenge, usually in the form of a war or great struggle. These hero figures became idols of Greek culture. They are praised and worshipped by people and their stories served as nationalistic entertainment for the masses. The parallels between this idea of Greek myth and the children of the Hunger Games are rather straightforward. These children are selected, trained to be great warriors, and are pitted against each other in a grand struggle that is then used as nationalistic, pacifying entertainment.

Secondly, these kids mirror the Spartan warrior ideal. In Sparta, the great warrior was praised. The warrior was a social institution that both created a national pride and a means of controlling the people. Spartan children were raised from the age of 7 to be killing machines. Their inspiration was the Greek god Ares. This systematic training for war based on the god of war is reflected by the 1st District from the "Hunger Games". These children reflected the Spartan ideal, and their inspiration of the Hunger Games is similar to the inspiration of Ares for the Spartans.

The Hebraic imagery in the "Hunger Games" comes from the "blemish-less sacrifice" found in Levitical law. Torah commanded that pure, blameless, and clean animal sacrifice was to be made to appease God. If the Government of the "Hunger Games" is seen as the all controlling, all powerful force that must be appeased, then the parallel is not much a stretch. The subjects sacrifice that which is blameless and innocent so that they might avoid the wrath of their God.

The "Hunger Games" was an engaging and deep film. The religious imagery, while not the primary motivation and purpose of the film, is undeniably present and adds depth and purpose to the film.