She becomes known as the Mockingjay, a hybrid creature that is the result of mockingbirds mating with jabberjays, which are genetically engineered weapons. Indeed, many characters are so traumatised by their experiences in and out of the arena that they self-medicate with painkillers, alcohol, or a range of other unhealthy coping strategies.įor Katniss, however, her psychological difficulties are caused not only by the violence but also by her attempts to reconcile competing public and private identities. Peeta is also unstable after being brainwashed into believing Katniss is the enemy, with his disorientation taking the forms of attempting to attack Katniss and unable to tell reality from lies. The rebels win the war, but Katniss is left psychologically damaged by her experiences.īy the third book, Mockingjay, Katniss is described as “mentally disoriented” (2010: 22), and spends much of the third book confused, hysterical, sedated, hospitalized, dealing with psychologists, hiding in small spaces, seeking escape in pain medication. Katniss also, unwillingly, simultaneously becomes the face of the emerging District rebellion movement against the Capitol, and war begins again in the third novel. To win fans and help her survive the Games, Katniss fabricates a romance with fellow competitor Peeta and must maintain this facade for their own safety following the Games. The protagonist is Katniss Everdeen, who survives the Games after volunteering to replace her sister. In an effort to remind the Districts of their past transgressions and its own power, the Capitol runs an annual televised event called the Hunger Games, in which teenagers from each District are sent into a specially designed arena to fight to death until one remains.
Previous failed rebellion against the Capitol left most Districts in severe poverty while Capitol residents exist in self-indulgent idle luxury. The series is set in Panem, a post-apocalyptic USA that is comprised of thirteen Districts governed by oppressive leadership in the Capitol. The Hunger Games is the most well known dystopian young adult series of recent times, and includes The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay (2008-2010). The following discussion focuses on these issues, with brief reference to the themes of mental health that become linked with identity in the two series: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Chaos Walking, by Patrick Ness. Although science fiction is maligned in some quarters as escapism, two recent, popular young adult dystopian series offer themes that parallel realities of contemporary teenage life, primarily around identity in a world where internet and social media have dissolved the boundaries between private and public spheres.
0 kommentar(er)
