"May the odds be ever in your favor." This is the most popular quote from one of the most popular books all across the globe. This book describes a world-wide event that requires a lot of skill and a survival technique in order to stay alive, while going against other human beings from different parts of the world. Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games engaged me with its exciting line of events and mesmerizing description of the characters and setting.
The Hunger Games teaches a very life oriented lesson of "you get out of it what you put in to it." Two of the main characters, Katniss and Peeta, put everything they have and risk their lives in order to save each other from everyone and anything else that is in the way of their goal, winning the Hunger Games. In chapter 4, paragraph 48, Katniss says, "The bow and arrow is my weapon. But I've spent a fair amount of time throwing knives as well." She knows what she is good at and what she will have to use and do in order to give herself the best possible chance to win. Using the bow and arrow is her specialty, and she has obviously put a lot of time into getting extremely skilled at it, but she has spent a lot of time learning how to use other weapons as well. She is up for anything. Although Katniss Everdeen comes across as a very tough female, I believe that she really does have a soft side and has a warm heart. In chapter 2, paragraph 48, Katniss talks about Peeta in saying, "To this day, I can never shake the connection between this boy, Peeta Mellark, and the bread that gave me hope, and the dandelion that reminded me that I was not doomed." Peeta and Katniss' relationship is based on a sacrifice that he made for her, bringing her a load of bread when her family was starving. Even though, she likes another guy, Gale, I think she feels something with Peeta as well. She knows there is something there, and the fact that Peeta filled his "manly duties" when he sacrificed some of his time to take care of her and her family makes the connection between the two a little bit stronger. We may not be sacrificing our lives and killing each other, but I feel as if this whole game represents our society as a whole. As stated in chapter 1, paragraph 76, "Taking the kids from our 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." Our government seems as if it is lacking in its duties to keep our country civilized and under reform. We are not killing each other, but it may somehow feel as if we are swallowing each other.
The lessons taught in this book may not be right out in the open; however, they are very meaningful to life, you just have to look for them. This story is very good and should be recommended to anyone who loves an exciting story with rich detail.
