Stephanie Colb - The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games displays the idea of sacrifice right from the beginning.  When the members of District 12 were gathered together to find out who would be sent to the games to fight for food and potentially lose their life, an unexpected citizen was chosen.  Prim, the younger sister of Katniss, was entered into the drawing just one time; however, her name was chosen.  Katniss plays the role of a protector and jumps in to save Prim and volunteers as "tribute." This allowed Prim to avoid going to the Hunger Games and risking her life.  This sacrifice displayed by Katniss resembled those viewed by Christians; God giving his son, Jesus, and Jesus giving his life for us.  The point of these games, known as The Hunger Games, are used in order to decide who will get food provided for their district and families.  The sacrifice and risk these children give is incomprehensible to the film's audience.  This film displays many other themes as well including, family, love, struggle, and competition.  The portrayal of religion seen throughout the film was one of the most creative and unique that I have seen so far this semester.  The plot is one that our society is not used to; therefore, it grabs our attention in a lot of ways.  Because the storyline is so different and considered to be immoral, we are more intrigued causing us to pay more attention to details.  Because of this and loving the books, I found myself connecting communication theories, along with those of religion.  The different levels of hierarchy are important in the film in its characters.  The Capitol are those people highest up in the hierarchy and typically the most praised.  The hierarchy is used in religion as well through popes, priests, ministers; continuing to the involved members, choirs, and leaders in the church.  Whether  we want to admit it, having a hierarchy, even in church and religion, is important and widely used; just as in The Hunger Games. I really enjoyed this book and film and cannot wait to continue the series.