Consider: “Taking kids from the districts, forcing them to kill
one another while we watch—this is the Capitol’s way of reminding
us how totally we are at their mercy. How little chance we would
stand of surviving another rebellion. Whatever words they use,
the real message is clear. ‘Look how we take your children and
sacrifice them and there’s nothing you can do. If you lift a
finger, we will destroy every last one of you. Just as we did
District Thirteen.’” Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games
1) What is the speaker’s attitude toward the Games? The Capitol?
2) How would the tone differ if the quotation was changed to, “Look at how we bring
along your children and honor them and it’s the best thing we can all do. If you lift
a finger, we will still need all of you to make a proper example. Just as we did
District Thirteen.”?
Apply: Write two sentences. In the first, describe a drill instructor forcefully giving
directions to a recruit about how to do some basic job. Skip a line. In the second
sentence, have the drill instructor give the same instructions, but the tone has to
be kind and caring.
Ex. 1-You march by simply putting one foot down after the other, you must be in
synch with your platoon, how hard is that?!
Ex. 2-At your leisure, I am requesting that with all of your best effort, you try to
march along at the same pace as your dear friends who are all wearing the same
color.
Belinda Kay, Class of 2014