Introduction:
The Hunger Games is an action and science-fiction adventure film based on the novel by Suzanne Collins. The story takes place in a dystopian post-apocalyptic future in the nation of Panem (North America). Panem is separated into 12 districts that help support the Capitol. Each year the Capitol “hosts” the Hunger Games, where a boy and a girl are each chosen from each district to participate (24 tributes). The Hunger Games is a televised event in which the tributes are required to fight to the death until there is only one remaining victor. This is where we find Katniss, it is time for the reaping (selection of the tributes) and Katniss’ sister is reaped, but she volunteers to save her sister. Now, Katniss is trapped in an arena where she needs to kill 23 tributes to be crowned victor of the Hunger Games, but things change when she is faced with young love.
I chose this movie because during my childhood I was obsessed with reading the Hunger Games trilogy. This was very unusual for me because back then I hated reading, it just was not fun for me. I was so excited when the first movie came out that I watched it a million times. I wanted to re-watch it for this project because I just enjoy watching it. I know that every movie has sociological concepts in it, but this project reminded me of this movie, so I decided to watch it again to see the concepts we learned about in class. After watching, I realized that there were a lot of concepts portrayed throughout the movie that were the base for the story.
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Sociological Concepts
Deviance: The Hunger Games deals with the concept of deviance in the protagonist, Katniss. Deviance is the violation of social norms in a society. An example in the movie is when Katniss decides to volunteer as tribute, instead of her sister. In this society, it is not common for someone to volunteer from this kind of district (usually only in districts 1 or 2). Another example is when at the end of the movie Katniss and Peeta win the Hunger Games by defying the capitol by committing suicide, so instead of one winning they both do.
In and out-groups: In the Hunger Games you can see that the people of Panem are distributed into in and out-groups. An in-group is a group that shares a sense of identity that typically excludes and devalues outsiders, while an out-group is a group that is viewed and treated negatively because they have different views than those of an in-group. An example in the movie of an in-group is anyone who lives in the capital. People in the capitol are superior to the ones that live in the districts and do not have to participate in the Hunger Games. While, the out-group is, of course, the districts they are treated poorly and must participate in the games, even if they do not wish to do so.
Ascribed status: In the Hunger Games, ascribed status is shown through Katniss and the relationship between her family and the capital. Ascribed status is a position that one is born into, such as gender, kinship, etc. An example of this is Katniss to her family who provides for them by hunting and trading with the people in District 12, while the capitol views her as someone from District 12 who was thrown into this annual event and is destined to die because of her status.
Achieved status: In the Hunger Games, achieved status is shown through Peeta and Katniss at the end of the story. Achieved status is attained through effort or assumed in a society. An example of this is when Katniss and Peeta win the Hunger Games. They are crowned victors and are now seen as “royalty” in the capital. They are given a new place to live, riches, and a status that changes their lives forever.
Norms: In the Hunger Games, norms are shown throughout the movie, especially when it comes to the games. Norms are specific rules of right and wrong, usually unwritten, implicit, or explicit, and can change over time. An example in the movie is that the games (killing children for entertainment) are something normal and that if someone goes against this, then they will be punished, probably killed.
Conflict Theory: In this movie, conflict theory is shown between the capitol and its 12 districts. Conflict theory is where life is a struggle between those in power and those who are deemed as “worthless”. An example from the movie is the capital controls everything in Panem. They put everyone into classes and make the districts supply them with resources, while the districts struggle to survive.
Functionalism: Functionalism is shown throughout the movie using the games as a tool against the capital. Functionalism is where a society is ordered by mutually dependent parts and each part depends on one another to make a stable society. An example from the movie is that the capitol uses the games to keep the districts in check, so it creates a society that runs smoothly without any conflict (other than the games). The capitol also creates a sense of inequality to make the districts depend on the capitol.
Socialization: In the movie, socialization is shown throughout the society of Panem. Socialization is the inheriting and learning the views of a culture appropriate to their social position. There are many examples of this throughout the movie. One example of this is that the people of the capital raise their children to see the games as enjoyment and something to be a mere game. Another example is that the districts raise their children to do the work in their districts and obey the laws of the capitol.
Nonverbal Communication (Gesture): In the Hunger Games, nonverbal communication (gestures) is shown by Katniss when she is in the arena during the Hunger Games. Nonverbal communication is a silent language that conveys people’s real feelings. An example of this is after Katniss “buries” one of the tributes that were her ally, she gives a hand gesture to the people of the tributes district. This gesture is where Katniss touches her middle three fingers to her lips and holds it to the “camera” in the arena. This gesture means “thanks”, “good-bye”, or even admiration to the person or a group of people.
Symbols: In the movie, there is only one huge symbol throughout the entire movie. It is shown by Katniss throughout the entire movie. Symbols represent something important or hold a specific meaning within the culture. The most important example in the movie is of course the Mockingjay, it represents hope and revolution. At the end of the movie, it becomes a symbol of rebellions throughout Panem against the Capitol.
Conclusion
The Hunger Games is a film about the dystopian apocalyptic world of Panem, where two boys and two girls are each chosen from the twelve districts as tributes to compete in the “Hunger Games”. This movie revolves around many sociological concepts that when I watched it as a child would probably have never realized. This has opened my eyes to see that every movie has sociological concepts in them and that is what makes the movie. I am now going to analyze every movie I watch from now on to see if any of the concepts we learned about are in them. The Hunger Games and sociological concepts go hand-in-hand with one another and teach us many lessons that can help us throughout our daily lives.
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