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Blog #5

MLA Citation:  Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Inc., 2014.

Number of Pages Read: I have read 74 pages

Summary: Peeta and Katniss need to find food. She comes back later and finds a pile of poisonous berries Peeta collected. They discover the body of a tribute and realizes she died from eating the berries. By the lake, Cato comes suddenly charging towards them; however, he runs straight past them. Katniss realizes there are strange creatures chasing him, and they all run to the Cornucopia and climb up. The creatures are mutant dogs created by the Capitol, and Katniss realizes they are actually the dead tributes.Taking advantage of the situation, Cato attacks Peeta, but Katniss and Peeta manage to push him over the edge. Just as Katniss and Peeta think they’ve won, another announcement is made that there can only be one winner again. Neither Katniss nor Peeta will kill the other, so Katniss takes out the poisonous berries. Just as she and Peeta put them in their mouths, the announcer shouts for them to stop and declares them both winners.They go back to the Training Center and Katniss is kept alone for days while she heals. When she is let out, Haymitch warns her that she’s in danger. The Capitol took her act with the berries as an act of defiance, so she has to convince everyone that she was desperate at the thought of losing Peeta and not being rebellious, or even her family could be at risk. In their final interview, she’s reunited with Peeta. After, when Haymitch tells her she did great, Peeta wonders what he means, and Katniss explains everything, including the romance strategy during the Games. Peeta is angry and hurt, but as they arrive back in District 12, they hold hands one more time to greet the crowd and cameras.

Reading Level: Based on Fry’s Readability Graph, the reading level for The Hunger Games is a grade nine. The reading level matches content and themes of the novel. This is because while the some of the content and themes are made very clear, there are some that take context and critical thinking to understand. I was not surprised by this reading level because while some of the content was easy to understand, the way that phrases were written and the vocabulary that was used was deserving of a reading level of a grade nine. The most appropriate age to read this reading level is underclassmen at the high school age. This is because this novel is more difficult than novels that are very upfront and introduces techniques that are needed to dissect harder novels that will be read in the future. This is an excellent novel to become introduced to novels that require critical thinking. 

Critique: The Hunger Games have been one of the most thrilling and entertaining novels that I have read over a long period of time. The novel draws the reader into the text, wanting more action as each event is coming to a close. The author used a perfect amount of balance for the duration of each event, not making them drag out for too long, but also keeping them exciting and providing context that ties other events together. The author had a diction that matched the narrator of the novel. Katniss Everdeen was a poor and educated girl that is very observant. The author uses that point of view and creates very short phrases that are very detailed about surrounding areas and being appreciative of the little things. The plot twists in the story come at the perfect moments in the story, either at the highest or lowest point of the story and automatically turning it into the opposite mood. Literary devices that grabbed me were the use of hyperboles. Because the tributes came from the poor district 12, arriving at the capital was a major upgrade of living in every way that the tribute could imagine. This in result created some drastic descriptions of their reactions to these major differences in their new setting. The novel was engaging and exciting from start to finish and it made you want for more even at the conclusion of the novel. I would highly recommend this novel to others, where it is very entertaining but also enriching at the same time. This novel was a very good read. This due to the fact that the number of allusions that were present made it possible to connect with the characters of this story, while at the same time feel like they are living in a world that could never be your own. The novel always keeps you on your tows because there is always danger it is entertaining to see how characters would react to this danger and overcome it. This book shows the defeat of life and how not everything could be obtained, but making the best of it is still necessary for survival. This is an excellent novel and I would definitely read it again in the future. 

Blogger Citation:  Liu, 2017

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Blog #4

MLA Citation:  Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Inc., 2014.

I have read 70 pages

Summary: Katniss is depressed for a long period due to Rue’s death until an announcement is made that two tributes from the same district can be declared winners. Katniss goes looking for Peeta and eventually finds him. He’s severely injured from his fight with Cato but Katniss helps him find shelter. She realizes that Haymitch will reward her for having a romance between her and Peeta. The next morning Katniss sees that Peeta’s leg is badly infected and he’ll die without treatment. A feast is declared, saying that an item that is desperately needed will be available at the Cornucopia. Katniss knows that means medicine for Peeta’s leg. She uses a sleep syrup and knocks Peeta out.At the Cornucopia, Katniss tries to run and grab the item marked for District 12 but ends up in a fight with Clove. Clove is about to kill her when Thresh, kills the girl instead. He spares Katniss because of the way she treated Rue. She injects Peeta with the medicine just before passing out. They stay there for a few days while it rains nonstop outside, and in this time the romance between Katniss and Peeta escalates. 

Themes: A primary theme that I have observed throughout this novel is, there is always someone with more power. The author illustrates this concept by showing the main characters that despite they may have an enemy in front of them, in reality, there is someone bigger behind the scenes. It is seen that no matter how big your problem is, there is always a bigger problem out there pulling the strings, causing the conflict. This conflict is illustrated through the eyes of Katniss Everdeen. Her main enemies were the other tributes getting in her way to return home. However, she learns that the true enemy is the capital, and then being singled down to President Snow. Suzanne Collins’ theme could be portrayed by other writers, such as George Lucas. In Star Wars, the enemy was always very singular. However, there was always someone behind the scenes, pulling the strings of all the other enemies before revealing himself as the main antagonist. This antagonist was seen as Darth Sidious; where he controlled many people, such as Darth Vader, Count Dukoo, Darth Maul, and many others. This is a very popular trend of popular stories, where a primary enemy is seen throughout the main parts of the story; however, a greater evil is later revealed near the end.  

Blogger Citation:  Liu, 2017

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Blog #3

The Hunger Games - I have read 73 pages

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Inc., 2014.

Summary: Katniss goes in search of water. She walks for hours and collapses from exhaustion, but finds a stream.That night, while she hides in a tree from the pack of Careers below, she notices a young girl named Rue in a nearby tree. Rue points out a nest of tracker jackers over Katniss’s head, and Katniss cuts the branch holding the nest, dropping it onto the Careers. Peeta happens to arrive as she’s running. He yells at Katniss to run just as Cato shows up. Peeta stops him so Katniss can escape, and she passes out in a ditch shortly after.Katniss encounters Rue again and they are able to get food hunting and foraging, and Katniss realizes that the Careers would have difficulty surviving without the supplies at the Cornucopia, so she and Rue devise a plan. While Rue lights decoy fires, Katniss sneaks up to the Cornucopia. When Katniss doesn’t find Rue at their meeting spot, she goes looking for her and finds her just as another tribute stabs her with a spear. 

Character Chart:

    Katniss Everdeen - a 16-year-old girl who lives in the Seam of district 12. Sister to Prim. Female tribute for district 12.  She hunts illegally, has long dark hair, excellent with bow & arrow, very defensive, has had a hard life.

    Primrose Everdeen -  Katnissʼ younger sister, whose name is called at the reaping.

    Gale Hawthorne -  Katnissʼ hunting partner that lives in the Seam. Very bitter toward the Capitol. Oldest child who also lost his dad in same coal mine explosion as Katniss’. Excellent at setting snares & traps.

    Peeta Mellark -  The district 12 male tribute and also a bakerʼs son.

    Effie Trinket - District 12 chaperone for the Hunger Games tributes that is from the Capitol.

    Haymitch Abernathy -  The only living district 12 victor, which means heʼs the mentor for the tributes each year. However, he is always drunk.

    Cinna - Katniss’s stylist and one of the only people that makes her feel safe in the capital.

Author Web page: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Suzanne Collins’ webpage has a quick quirky intro with her and a photo of a rat, with a quick description of the photo with some inside jokes. She then showcases some of the books she was written with some honorable comments from reviewers as well as awards that were given. She has tabs that showcase her other more “unknown” works and gives brief descriptions of them. She also has an autobiography of herself to allow a reader to learn more about Collins. Finally, there is an interview tab showing the collection of interviews she has received over the years from various media outlets. 

Time Period: Suzanne Collins is currently still alive and lived and wrote in the modern day 21st century. In this time, through media and young adults taking a more active understanding in government and philosophy, this highly influenced her writing of The Hunger Games trilogy. She is following the trend of several other popular series, such as Divergent, that showcase dystopian civilizations and governments, and how teenagers must take an active approach to change the world. 

Author Citation: Liu, 2017

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Blog #2

The Hunger Games - I have read 75 pages

Author Biography: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/bio.htm

Summary: An important aspect of the games is the views having the ability to provide the tributes with gifts in the arena. The best time to showcase the tributes is during the interview with Caesar Flickerman. Katniss manages to become a crowd favorite from her interview, mentioning how she wants to save her sister. In his interview, Peeta reveals that he’s had a crush on Katniss for several years. Finally the time comes. From a small underground room, Katniss is lifted into the arena and the Games officially begin. All the tributes are there, and in front of her is the Cornucopia, which houses an abundance of supplies. Rather than fight, she runs away as Haymitch advised. She hikes all day before making camp. After dark, someone starts a fire nearby, and very soon afterward, a group of Career Tributes arrives to kill the tribute. Katniss hears a very familiar voice, and to her surprise, it belongs to Peeta. 

Character Chart:

     Katniss Everdeen - a 16-year-old girl who lives in the Seam of district 12. Sister to Prim. Female tribute for district 12.  She hunts illegally, has long dark hair, excellent with bow & arrow, very defensive, has had a hard life. Becomes a fan favorite at the hunger games. Fans know her as the girl on fire. 

    Primrose Everdeen -  Katnissʼ younger sister, whose name is called at the reaping.

    Gale Hawthorne -  Katnissʼ hunting partner that lives in the Seam. Very bitter toward the Capitol. Oldest child who also lost his dad in same coal mine explosion as Katniss’. Excellent at setting snares & traps.

    Peeta Mellark -  The district 12 male tribute and also a bakerʼs son. Admits his love for Katniss on national television. Teamed up with Career Tributes. 

    Effie Trinket - District 12 chaperone for the Hunger Games tributes that is from the Capitol. Has an attachment to the two district twelve tributes. 

    Haymitch Abernathy -  The only living district 12 victor, which means heʼs the mentor for the tributes each year. However, he is always drunk. He gets over his drunkness to help Katniss and Peeta get out of the Arena alive.

    Cinna - Katniss’s stylist and one of the only people that makes her feel safe in the capital. The only person Katniss can connect at the Capital. Helps Katniss gain many fans and followers. 

     Caesar Flickerman - A capital television host. Makes tributes feel as welcome as he could. 

     President Snow - President of Panem. The overwatch of the games. 

     Career Tributes - Tributes from the Districts 1,2, and 4. These people have more lavish lives compared to other tributes and have been training their entire lives to participate in the hunger games. 

Map:

Map of Panem . english10019.wdfiles.com/local--files/start/enviro-map.JPG.

Commentary: A character that I have found to be interesting was Peeta Mellark. Peeta is seen to have many conflicting thoughts going inside his head. He realizes that there is no chance that he will survive the games, and makes no definite effort to try to win. However, in the arena, he is fighting strategically and trying his hardest to survive. Also, Peeta admits his love to Katniss Everdeen, admitting that the girl he liked his entire life “came here with me” (Collins 138). Based on his confession, the viewer would think that he would do everything he could to protect Katniss. However, he was seen to be working with the Career Tributes. Katniss a voice working with the Career Tributes and “the voice belongs to Peeta” (Collins 160). Up to this point of the story, the reader would assume that Peeta was a protagonist because of his relations with the main character. However, now we see Peeta’s betrayal, and it could be safe to assume that he is an antagonist. The character is a round character. This is because he has many different intentions but only one specific one could be read by the viewer, making him unpredictable. For example, his love for Katniss but his betrayal at the same time. The chosen character is a follower because he is following the actions of the Career tributes in order to survive. 

Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Inc., 2014.

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Blog #1

The Hunger Games - I have read 85 pages

MLA Citation:  Collins, Suzanne. The Hunger Games. Scholastic Inc., 2014.

Summary: A teenage girl, Katniss Everdeen, wakes up on the day of the reaping for the Hunger Games, where the tributes are chosen who will take part in the country’s biggest event. Her mother and little sister, Prim, sleep nearby. Her father died in a mine explosion years earlier. She goes hunting in the woods illegally outside her district, District 12, with Gale, her best friend. The context of the Hunger Games was due to a war occurred between the Capitol and the districts. The Capitol won, and as a reminder of their defeat, the Capitol holds the Hunger Games every year. The mayor then introduces Haymitch Abernathy, District 12’s only living Hunger-Games winner, and he’s so drunk he ends up falling in his own vomit. The district’s female tribute is chosen, and to Katniss’s horror, it’s Prim. Katniss volunteers immediately in Prim’s place. Then the male tribute is Peeta Mellark, and Katniss remembers how years earlier, while searching for food for her family in the garbage bins behind the town shops, Peeta gave her bread from his family’s bakery. Katniss and Peeta say goodbye to their friends and families and board a train for the Capitol. During the trip, she and Peeta convince Haymitch, their mentor in the Games and the person responsible for getting them gifts from sponsors, to take his duties seriously. Once there, Katniss meets with her stylist, Cinna, who is designing her dress for the opening ceremony. The costumes are loved by the audience and make Katniss and Peeta stand out among the tributes. The next day, Katniss and Peeta attend group training, and the tributes from privileged districts who have trained for the Games their whole lives, called Career Tributes, show off their skills. However, Katniss and Peeta take advantage of the training time and learn many new skills.

Character Chart:

     Katniss Everdeen -  a 16-year-old girl who lives in the Seam of district 12. Sister to Prim. Female tribute for district 12.  She hunts illegally, has long dark hair, excellent with bow & arrow, very defensive, has had a hard life.

     Primrose Everdeen -  Katnissʼ younger sister, whose name is called at the reaping.

     Gale Hawthorne -  Katnissʼ hunting partner that lives in the Seam. Very bitter toward the Capitol. Oldest child who also lost his dad in same coal mine explosion as Katniss’. Excellent at setting snares & traps.

     Peeta Mellark -  The district 12 male tribute and also a bakerʼs son.

     Effie Trinket -  District 12 chaperone for the Hunger Games tributes that is from the Capitol.

     Haymitch Abernathy -  The only living district 12 victor, which means heʼs the mentor for the tributes each year. However, he is always drunk.

     Cinna - Katniss’s stylist and one of the only people that makes her feel safe in the capital. 

Map: 

Commentary: Much of the plot has been set up at this point of the story by now. As the reader, I am able to quickly figure out the conflict and goals within the character’s minds. I like how the characters all have very different personalities, being very different from another but still finding a method to overcome the differences and work together. Susan Collins has a very professional diction, using many sensory details to provide realistic imagery to the reader. The reader can really be in the story through the Collins’ imagery, where “finding only the rough canvas cover of the” story is truly not the case (Collins 3). This story is a dystopian futuristic sci-fi, where its events take place in the future. Allusions from the time of Panem prior to its great war references how “the country that rose up out of the ashes of a place that was once called North America” (Collins 18). The author did her research on the geography of North America and how the districts coincide with modern day America and their areas of natural resources and economy.