POLITICAL METAPHOR

THE HUNGER GAMES SEQUEL: Catching Fire
STS Reaction Paper
by: Aedriane Celis

          Recalling my first encounter with this exceptional prose written by Suzanne Collins, I was magnificently drawn into its world. It is a story that was not merely imagined but subjectively created with a distinct perspective.

            By definition, science fiction is fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets. Therefore, The Hunger Games Sequel isn’t science fiction nor is it a propaganda film; rather I understand and think it to be more of a “Political Metaphor”.  Political because, there is a constant realistic portrayal of how society has been working in the past, present and --- maybe –-- in the future. Struggles and occurrences such as the search for hope and who will lead the fight for freedom; the rights to live in tranquility; and uprisings brought about by the indifference between leaders and classes. On the other note, it is a metaphor because the story builds on figurative expressions and does not really manifest purpose literally, through a futuristic setting and the exaggeration of characters.

            The city of Panem is filled with imbalance in several corresponding things. It is a city subdivided into superiors-inferiors and fighters-followers. This lack of proportionality could have defined the failure of science, technology and society to succeed in the world of the 13 Districts. Division of districts in varying specialized fields -- agriculture, mining, etc. -- inflicts limited avenues for the people to attain knowledge; and the intensive implementation of hard labor in the districts resulted to a degree of incompetence in the better purpose of Science and Technology.  On the other note, society was brought down by the abusive use of the greater people – for fear of rebellion or repeat of war in the past against its citizens.

            Catching fire is the transition between the first sight of hope and the final touch of freedom. Some fear rebellion, some have not yet realized the common good, but some have found the strength to fight in favor of all the odds.