投稿類別：英文寫作類
篇名：
Communism in The Hunger Games
作者：
潘佳琳。國立臺灣師範大學附屬高級中學。高三 1345 班。
指導老師：
林秀娟老師
Communism in The Hunger Games
I. Introduction
A. Background of the Study
The Hunger Games is a world famous novel. An important connection with
communism in the story is demonstrated through the policies implemented by the
government of Panem. Traces of communism in Panem are evident—from its people’s
way of life to the idea formulated in the characters’ mind. For example, people can
only acquire food allocated by the government, and no one is allowed to leave their
district freely.
“Hunger games” is essentially a means employed by the government of Panem to
control the people, and the rules of the game force the people to live like little ants in
a man’s hand, eliminated whenever necessary. On the other hand, the people living in
the Capitol lead a luxurious life. They don’t need to send any tribute to the game.
They are among the most wealthy and powerful of the nation, for whom the game is
simply an entertaining show. However, when economic disparities become unbearable,
it is time for people to reconsider what kind of government they want. If a wise leader
stands up, steps in, and speaks up for what is right at this time, a revolution will
happen. Take a look at the former communist countries—Czechoslovakia, East
Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Soviet Union, etc. There were nineteen of them
in the twentieth century. Today, there are only five communist countries in the world.
Why does communism fail to thrive? There could be lots of reasons, but the most
important one is that they abandon equality and refuse to listen to what people have to
say.
If The Hunger Games is essentially a story about a nation ruled by a communist
government, doesn’t this book contain a prophecy about the destiny of some of the
communist countries?
B. Purposes and Method of the Study
The government system in The Hunger Games is in many ways very close to a
communist country. But is it really a communist country? To answer the question, this
research paper will compare the system in The Hunger Games with Marxist
Communism. As presented in three examples, including regional division, activities,
and people’s reaction, the paper suggests that the government system in The Hunger
Games is in principle a communist country.
II. Thesis
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Communism in The Hunger Games
A. Communism
When a country isn't in good development, a great majority of the people will
live in poverty, and they will become the most important force to change the system.
The power they have is generally stronger than the government, for they have the
determination to rise and carry out a revolution. When they finally form their
government and rule, the communism system will be established to ensure the
collective ownership of property. As Engels put it,
“Communism is a socioeconomic system structured upon common ownership of
the means of production and characterized by the absence of social classes,
money, and the state.” [1](Engels, 1847, Section 18)
The final goal of it is to make each person do what they can do for the common
good of all members of the society, and share what they have equally. The only
difference among the members in the communist society is the gift each individual is
born with, so in the communist world gifted people are expected to do more, and the
rewards are distributed equally.
Can people accept the kind of life under communism? If we can, it is the best
system in the world. But in the real world it has been proved otherwise with the
collapse of the Soviet Union. What made such a powerful country come to an end?
Emphasis on equal share of everything is the most important principle of communism.
If the regime fails to rule the country according to the principle, it will be replaced
immediately. That is what happens to the government of Panem in The Hunger
Games.
B. The First Example
Panem is a nation in North America. It consists of a wealthy city—the Capitol,
and twelve poor districts. The Capitol is the one which has the absolute power to
control Panem. Every year, each distinct has to bring one boy and one girl as a
contribution to the entertainment show The Hunger Games.
“The purpose of the Hunger Games is to provide entertainment for the Capitol
and to serve as a reminder to the Districts of the Capitol's power and lack of
remorse.” [2](Collins, 2008)
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Communism in The Hunger Games
In other words, the game is devised by the ruling government to make its people
afraid, and to make it clear to its people that the government decides whether they live
or die.
It stands to reason that a government needs to enforce the law to maintain order
in the society and ensure security of the state, especially when the government is not
stable in the beginning period of its establishment. Whether it is a communist country
or a capitalist state, the government has to take necessary measures to warn people
against revolt. However, in a democracy the people have the final say in the
policy-making of the government, but not in a country dictated by a totalitarian
government. The Panem government makes use of Hunger Games to control the
citizens in the districts, but allow the Capitol to exploit the fun out of the killing
games. Obviously, Panem is a country ruled by dictators.
C. The Second Example
There are twelve districts in Panem—District 13 is no longer operational, and
each district has its responsibility to produce goods. For example, the first district is
responsible for luxury items, the second for masonry, etc. They need to produce
enough goods to meet the demand of Panem. However, the people in the districts
don't have the right to use their goods. They can only share what is left over after the
Capitol has its lion’s share.
Planned economy is the most obvious economic policy implemented in a
communist country. The whole country is one union, so it means that manufacture and
consumption are both planned by the government. To make more profit, region
division is formed. The government makes each region produce its commercial goods,
and through mass production, keeps the costs as low as possible.
Consumption allocation is also part of planned economy. Under communism the
government’s first priority is to confirm that production is more than demand. Then
they will set aside part of the goods for urgent situations. Finally, the rest of the
resources will be distributed equally to the common people.
Therefore, we can conclude that although the economic policy described in The
Hunger Games seems to conform to planned economy in a communist state, Panem is
not a true communist government since the resources in Panem are not distributed to
the general public fairly.
D. The Third Example
In the story, after the people are fed up with the injustice in Panem, they plan a
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Communism in The Hunger Games
revolution to get rid of the Capitol. Each district starts an uprising to overthrow the
government. For example, they stop producing goods for them, and also fight against
the army. To solve the conflict, the Capitol sends more and more soldiers to each
district, and also cuts off the contact between districts. As a result, more and more
people are killed by the army in the revolution. Although sacrifices grow increasingly,
dissatisfaction of people leads to more uprisings.
The revolution in The Hunger Games can be compared to the Tiananmen Square
protests in China.
“The protests were forcibly suppressed by hard line leaders who ordered the
military to enforce martial law in the country's capital.” [3](Zhao, 2009)
In this revolution led by students, the Beijing government stopped them by using
force. Although many people stood up for students and protested against the
government, they didn't succeed. Beijing government made no compromise, and they
cut off the information from the outside world. The protests at Tiananmen
Square ended in bloodshed. Hundreds died in the government crackdown. It is not
communism that led to the Tiananmen Square Massacre. Dictatorship did it. Dictators
ignore the protests from people, and therefore communism becomes a bad system.
III. Conclusion
As presented in the reviews of The Hunger Games, Panem is not a communist
country. In fact, Panem uses communism as a means to restrict common people’s
ownership of property so as to ensure that the Capitol can enjoy all of it.
The main reason that leads Panem to perish is not the communism system itself,
but the dictatorship of its leaders. As a matter of fact, most communist countries have
the same problem. The way they solve the protest from people is the same. They all
neglect about what people think. Aren't all of them the same as Panem in The Hunger
Games?
IV. References
1. Engels, F. (1847). The Principles of Communism. In P. Sweezy (Ed.), .
2. Collins, S. (2008). The Hunger Games. U.S: Scholastic.
3. Zhao, Z. (2009). The origins of the 1989 Student Movement.
4. Collins, S. (2009). Catching Fire. U.S: Scholastic.
5. Collins, S. (2010). Mockingjay. U.S: Scholastic.
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