Hunger Games: Week of 10/28/13

*Slight Spoilers*
Prompt: Analyze what motivates the main character’s behavior.
Pretend you get to create the music soundtrack for what you’ve been reading. What five songs would you include? Write an explanation for each song: why would you include it, how does the song connect to events.

Pages Read: 130-End

Throughout my reading of the Hunger Games, I have noticed several things about the characters. It is as if I actually knew them, for the reason that I am able to decipher what drives their lives. For example, Katniss is driven by the love for her sister Prim and her mother. I often believe that if not her family, Katniss would not have won the games without the drive to stay alive for her family. I believe Peeta is driven by the need to prove others wrong and his feelings for Katniss. In some parts of the book Peeta is almost viewed as an underdog who simply follows Katniss. I believe that he does not follow Katniss because he is inferior, but because of his love for her and the need to keep her safe.

As I read the Hunger Games, I imagined the movie. I realized that there is so much emotional content that can not be visualized through the movie. Since I often find myself more easily expressed by music, more than my actual words or thoughts, I was able to think of several songs that connected to parts in the passage.  A few songs that I believed would go with my reading are:

1. "Without You" by David Guetta ft. Usher

"I can't win, I can't reign

I will never win this game

Without you, without you

I am lost, I am vain,

I will never be the same

Without you, without you"

Although it seems a bit unfitting, I found myself thinking of this song in several parts of the book. I often realize that without Peeta, Katniss would be lost in a mental abyss. The case also seems to work in Peeta's case, without Katniss he would also be lost. Even though Katniss and Peeta are playing a game to the death, they seem to be able to realize that maybe what they are doing is not all an act. Without each other, in my opinion they would not have been able to survive the Hunger Games, or any other obstacle emotional or physical.

2. "Innocent" by Taylor Swift

"I guess you really did it this time

Left yourself in your warpath

Lost your balance on a tightrope

Lost your mind tryin' to get it back

Wasn't it easier in your lunchbox days?

Always had a bigger bed to crawl into

Wasn't it beautiful when you believed in everything

And everybody believed in you?

It's alright, just wait and see

Your string of lights is still bright to me

Oh, who you are is not where you've been.

You're still an innocent,

You're still an innocent.

Did some things you can't speak of

But at night you live it all again

You wouldn't be shattered on the floor now

If only you had seen what you know now then"

I feel that this song describes what happens towards the beginning of the book. Before Katniss' sudden need to mature after the death of her father. In Katniss' youth there was a time where she could spend time with her father in the woods, there was a time when she did have to worry about having to put food on the table, there was a time when everything in her life was more simple. It also seems to me that Katniss does not realize, that despite what she has faced, she shouldn't have to worry about the things she does. Katniss also doesn't realize that who she really is should not be defined by where she has been.

3. "Safe and Sound" by Taylor Swift feat. The Civil Wars

Even though the song is already on the soundtrack to the movie, I believe that this would be a perfect opportunity to express how deeply I feel about this song. In my mind this song represents Katniss' relationships with her sister, Prim,  and Rue. You often find Katniss caring for her sister and before the reaping, Prim had been chosen as tribute for the games. The moment Katniss hears this, she immediately volunteers as tribute. Prim, in state of shock and fear, cries for her sister's life. I believe that this part is thoroughly expressed by the first verse:

"I remember tears streaming down your face 

When I said, "I'll never let you go"

When all those shadows almost killed your light

I remember you said, "Don't leave me here alone"

But all that's dead and gone and passed tonight"

Her relationship with Rue is more explained by:

"Don't you dare look out your window, darling,

Everything's on fire

The war outside our door keeps raging on

Hold on to this lullaby

Even when music's gone

Gone

Just close your eyes

The sun is going down

You'll be alright

No one can hurt you now

Come morning light

You and I'll be safe and sound"

The reason for this is that before Rue dies, you find Katniss singing to Rue. As Rue died Katniss cried and held her. Katniss later mentioned that Rue was "good and safe," and that nobody would be able to hurt her anymore. Rue was finally in a better place that had no pain, hunger, or selfishness and Katniss promised to win the Games for Rue and herself.

4. "Set Fire To The Rain" by Adele

"My hands, they're strong

But my knees were far too weak,

To stand in your arms

Without falling to your feet

But there's a side to you

That I never knew, never knew.

All the things you'd say

They were never true, never true,

And the games you play

You would always win, always win."

Most of the time people view this song as break up song, but in my mind I think of Katniss view on the Capital and the government. Whenever Katniss is unable to bring suffice food for her family she must go to the government to find a way to receive food. The problem is that the government plays it off as if they were the kindest people in the world, but they often lie. The government tries to find ways to trick the people or they will harm those who threaten to spill their secrets.

5. "Burn It Down" by Linkin Park


The song "Burn It Down" reminds me of the 'Girl On Fire.' This Katniss in my opinion impeccably describes Katniss.  I feel that the song explains unintentionally, the fact that Katniss plans on defying her government, that she plans on finding a way to make her presence known. I think the song also explains the fact that Katniss is not afraid of breaking down everything to start anew.

Before I read the Hunger Games, I absolutely despised the thought of reading the book. I always thought it was a bit too unrealistic. After a large amount of motivation from Juliet, I decided to read the book. In the end it was not as awful as I thought it would be. I believe I judged the book before knowing its content. When I was done with the book, I was left in absolute awe. I would have never imagined the ability of writing a book such as itself. My view of the book has made an absolute turnover, and I am thankful I read the book.