And It All Comes Down to This...

This post is for Chapters 25 through 27 of The Hunger Games...


     Abby, I totally agree with you that this book may strongly show violence is the way to handle being angry, and there are many examples within the book that support our agreement (as you said). I think that children would strongly be influenced by how the characters in the story react to their problems through violence instead of being calm, especially since the entire plot is a dangerous one and Katniss makes some bad decisions that seem to somehow work out for her. Children may start to think that making hasty and violent choices is not that bad of a thing in the long run, when the truth is the exact opposite. On the other hand, you are also right that people can learn to enjoy the life that they have because it is most likely better than the lives of those in The Hunger Games, and this can be a very important reason to take the ban off of this book.

     One other big reason associated with violence that could have been used to get this book banned is that suffering is thought to be a form of entertainment in this world. When Cato is slowly dying after being mauled by wolves, his pain and moaning is pushed for so long that Katniss starts to wish he would hurry up and die; the only reason the Gamemakers wouldn't give him a quick death is that his suffering was entertaining. "And I do. No viewer could turn away from the show now. From the Gamemakers' point of view, this is the final word in entertainment." (pg. 339). Not only is this pictured as wrong in our society, but I also see it as absolutely evil and disgusting to leave someone  hanging in the middle of life and death in order to enhance the interest of others watching. This could also influence readers in thinking that it is fine to watch others in pain and not do anything because one is enjoying it, which isn't right even in a situation of revenge.

      Now for a reason that this book is too good to ban is it shows that love prevails and can overcome anything, and that as long as one has love, no problem is too big to face. Peeta and Katniss are so in love and care for each other so much that they aren't willing to kill one another or let either kill him or herself, so they both decide to die together instead. "If Peeta and I were both to die, or they thought we were..." (pg. 344). Of course, this doesn't mean that dying is the best solution to a problem, but it is the only option the couple had that held equal results for both of them, and that is what love is all about:  compromise. When you love a person, you automatically look at what is best for him or her before what is best for yourself, and this shows sacrifice is a big part of love that can hold people together so that problems are faced side-by-side, making them almost easy to get through. 

Berries! Killing! Ohhh the horror!

Surbhi! I am so suprised by Katniss. She killed a person and felt little regret at all. She was rambling on all throughout the whole book about how she hated the government, she hated the hunger games, she hated her life. And she hated the Hunger Games because of what they were about. They make innocent children fight eachother to the death! I think she would have felt more impacted then she did. It kind of seemed like she felt sad for about five minutes, then got over it. I was kind of expecting a whole mental breakdown from her. Were you Surbhi?
Also, I'm seeing a theme coming along here! I see fight anger with violence. Katniss was angry, so what did she do? She blew up the careers food source. Katniss was angry with Peeta about the whole love thing so what did she do? She pushed him over and made Peeta's hand bleed. It's kind of getting the message across that it is ok to act like that, when it's not. Katniss is kind of life a role model to many people. She's brave, strong, and hardworking. Almost everything that a person wants to be. And she's a bad example. This could be a huge reason why this book could be banned.
As I have said before in Harry Potter, children and teenagers are easily influenced. They are influenced by movies, media, celebriteis, magazines, and even books. And this book is not a great example to be influenced by! It just leaves people irritated and kind of depressed. And now here comes the reason why the Hunger Games should not be banned! This is good! Katniss's life can suck to our bennefit! It can open our lives to how good we have it in the land of the free and home of the brave. We should all be grateful that we don't have as awful as government as the one in Panem. What do you think Surbhi? What is one big reason why this book should be banned? What is a big reason why it shouldn't be banned?

Killing, threats, saving lives!

Well, Surbhi, Katniss and Peeta are starting to get down to business now aren't they? But they are risking their lives by doing so! When Katniss put those berries to her mouth, she defied the capitol in one of the worst ways possible. In front of a whole entire country who is already in distress! This one thing could set the whole country off! Haymitch knows what was happening right after the games ended. He said on page 356, "Listen up. You're in trouble. Word is the Capitol's furious about you showing them up in the arena. The one thing they can't stand is being laughed at and they're the joke of Panem." Oh my. This is big, isn't Surbhi? Haymitch said "the word is." So he must have heard it from someone else. Who do you think? Other mentors? Is her rebellion against the government that obvious? When I read the part where she took out the berries, I didn't think much of it. I thought they were really going to die, because neither one of them could live without the other one. But the gamemakers stopped them! I don't understand why they have to have a victor. I think it would have saved a bunch of messy trouble if both of them commited suicide. But what they both have gone through with it? What do you think Surbhi? Would Katniss and Peeta both have killed themselves?
That last paragraph could have been taken as a theme in itself. Rebellion, the good and the bad. Rebellion isn't always good, it can cause a lot of trouble, just like Katniss and Peeta has done for themselves.

Lies...and the Truth?

This post is for Chapters 21 through 24 in The Hunger Games...

     These few chapters of the book are a complete mixture of emotions, making it hard for the reader to know exactly what is true and what isn't. There is a lot of deceit not only because Katniss and Peeta continue to fire their "romance" in order to get food, but also because they have to convince themselves at the same time that they are not in love with each other. This certain situation can be seen as both a good and bad thing to people; good since it provides an excuse to get away from the violent side of this book and experience blooming romance, and bad because betrayal (even if to yourself) is usually considered a negative concept. Even though this is probably not powerful enough a reason to ban the entire book, it can be seen as an influential idea to some who might not want teens reading it, especially since these lovey-dovey parts are also present.

     It seems at first that Peeta and Katniss are doing what they have to in order to get food by showing affection to one another, but as the story moves along, things get much more intense. "This is the first kiss where I actually feel stirring inside my chest. Warm and curious. This is the first kiss that makes me want another." (pg. 298). As both characters start to express how they really feel about each other (they themselves not aware of their own feelings), such as when Katniss knocks out Peeta so that she can get him medicine from the feast, the reader is able to see just how far this love story can go. The two are still uncomfortable with the fact that they might actually feel for one another, and this is something that makes their romance all the more interesting. Some adults might think of this situation as unacceptable because the two are hiding their true feelings from each other and instead giving more importance to entertaining the people watching them. This book is now saying that love is not a good thing if it happens at the wrong time, and falling in love in a bad situation can cause great pain and even death, when instead love should be revered at all times.

     Although many adults in the United States are accustomed to being open to things like young love and cheating others for eventual benefit for society, there are also some that are not. For those who find these topics a little too much, it might be uncomfortable to have younger generations reading about them. Having Indian parents, I personally know the kinds of things my parents feel uneasy for me to be exposed to, but I also want to include that they are accepting once they find out that hearing and reading these things will give me more reasons not to participate in them. They know very well that dating and deceit for happiness of others that depend on you aren't bad things, but they just grew up in a different way than I am right now. My parents are totally fine with me reading books such as The Hunger Games even though it has content about killing others to defend one's society and young romance, so it is a bit odd that less strict U.S. parent would feel that these topics are distracting.

A Moment of Tears...

This post is for Chapters 17 through 20 for The Hunger Games...

     Not only was it heartbreaking to read this section of the book, but it also brought tears to my eyes. Almost everyone in the world has experienced the loss of a loved one, and even though neither Katniss nor the readers were very attached to Rue, her death caused shock. A death that painful and terrifying should not be experienced by anyone, especially a child as young as Rue. Now is the time one can see that The Hunger Games is a book that can not only provide an entertaining story, but it can also send some powerful connections through its audience that at times is heart wrenching. It is now agreeable that this book might have a good reason for being banned, but that doesn't mean it should since this sad event still has a lot is can teach to young adults.

     One can learn from the tragic death of this little girl that a loss can inspire a person to stay determined and reach his or her goals, meaning that good comes out of something that at the time may seem the worst pain ever. The same way that Rue's last words compelled Katniss she had to win the games for her, a person in the real world can achieve great things through pain. "'I'm going to. Going to win for both of us now,' I promise." (pgs. 233-234). One can see that life will always have obstacles, but the only way to move on with life is to make sure those obstacles don't cross your path again. It is not that a person should ignore when he or she is hurt, but the book teaches one that he or she should have the strength required to get over it. So even though this section might be very violent and emotional for some, it is also a part that teaches an important lesson of life.

Instincts and Compassion...

This post is for Chapters 13 through 16 for The Hunger Games...

     Abby, even though you warned me that your most recent posts were spoilers, I couldn't help but read them anyway. Now that I have read further into the book, I am starting to disagree with my opinion from before that the beginning of the games would be the most violent part of the book, the one you agreed with only halfway. The more the games go on, the more intense everything gets, and it is very hard for a reader to describe just how much detail is put into this book, making it all the better. Like I have said before, The Hunger Games is a story that should be fine for teens to read because the content is not scarring for kids of our age group, but it should be kept away from little ones.

     What I want to mainly focus on that can be both a reason that this book should be banned and one that shouldn't, is Katniss trusting her brain more than her instincts. Whenever Katniss thinks of Peeta and of her own survival, she seems to first act on what her mind tells her to believe instead of the messages her body sends her. For example, Katniss was never able to trust Peeta before the games started because her mind told her he would end up killing her, even though her feelings sometimes considered that he might actually want to get attached to her. Trusting one's thoughts is a good thing when one is in a moment that requires careful thinking, but it can turn out to get a person into deep trouble when one is in grave physical danger. Of course Katniss does listen to her instincts sometimes, like when she needs to fight to survive and shoot her arrows, but her thinking-based actions affect the story much more. It is true that the mind can often times be right too, because Katniss turns out to have guessed well that Peeta would join a big group in order to defeat others during the games, and he did join The Career Tributes. This very example shows just how deceiving the brain can be as well since Peeta ended up saving her life when his troop caused her to be put into danger, showing in a way that the former notion of him wanting her dead is false, unless he wants to kill her himself (in which case, it would be unlikely he endangered himself to save her). "Sick and disoriented, I'm able to form only one thought:  Peeta Mellark just saved my life." (pg. 194).

     This part of the story also shows that one should have compassion for others that are not as able to take care of themselves, because Katniss helps Rue by giving her food and staying with her. It can be seen that it is human nature to want to have power and kill to survive, but getting attached and helping those who can't manage is an instinct that kicks in at times where teamwork is needed. Katniss and Rue plan to get further into the games using each other's trust and abilities, and Katniss takes on multiple challenges and faces many problems in order to keep Rue safe because it seems like she reminds her of Prim. "'Have you gotten anything yet?' I ask. She shakes her head. 'You will, though. Watch. The closer we get to the end, the more people will realize how clever you are.'" (pg. 201). Connection brings love with it, and that is a valuable lesson that one can learn from reading this book. Compassion, love, and sacrifice will never humiliate a person, but instead will raise the respect he or she has in the eyes of those healed and treated. 

Inside the Games

I half agree with you Surbhi. The beginning of The Hunger Games, the actual games not the book, could be possibly called the most violent in the way that the most people died on the day. But it's later on, as we have seen, where the real violence and scary stuff has begun. Take Katniss and Clove near the Cornucopia as an example. She was ready to trace her face with a knife and make her death as painful as possible before Thresh appeared and smashed her head in with a rock. I feel that this part of the book is way more violent then the beginning because the events are actually being described more in depth. Katniss was far into the woods when the blood bath was happening. What do you consider worse, many deaths or more violent deaths?

Now because I have this irresistible urge, I have to talk about Peeta. To say it short, he's quickly becoming my favorite character in the book, but a part of me still distrusts him. There's still a chance that he's doing the star crossed lovers thing to get Katniss to trust him and betray her, but it's just so hard not to like him! Do you like him Surbhi? He saved Katniss's life. What is greater then that. Look at this scene from page 193, "'What are you still doing here?' he hisses at me. I stare uncomprehendingly as a trickle of water drips off a sting under his ear. His whole body starts sparkling as if he's been dipped in dew. 'Are you mad?' He's prodding me with the shaft of the spear now. 'Get up! Get up!' I rise, but he's still pushing at me. What? What is going on? He shoves me away from him hard. 'Run!' he screams. 'Run!'" And then on page 194, Katniss realizes what has just happened. She says, "Peeta Mellark just saved my life."

Now I just have to keep talking about this. Peeta was with the careers from the beginning, and the careers of course are strong and cunning. I think Peeta obviously new what he was doing when he teamed up with them; he was protecting Katniss. This is when I really fell for Peeta, he risked his life to save his. Even if he was trying to play up the love for the sponsors, he couldn't have done that if he was dead because the careers killed him. What do you think Surbhi? Was his actions sincere? I just can't stop thinking about this scene. His complete devotion to Katniss, even though he has never really talked to her, breaks my heart. I sure hope Katniss will see this soon.

The Hunger Games

Well Surbhi, I think it's pretty clear here what a main reason to ban The Hunger Games is. It's violent, it's scary violent. There's so much detail in this book. For example, read this quote on page 150, "A boy, I think from District 9, reaches the pack at the same time I do and for a brief time we grapple for it and then he coughts, splattering my face with blood. I stagger back, repulsed by the warm, sticky spray. Then the boy slips to the ground. That's when I see the knife in his back." I feel that could be a pretty rough scenes for kids to take in. Movies often leave people with nightmares, this book could potetionally do the same exact thing.

Now for some more reasons why I think the book should never ever be banned! All through this book this huge theme has hit me, and I wonder if you have noticed it yet Surbhi. What I saw is do what you're good at. Katniss is excellent with a bow and arrow, and that's her strength that got her such a high number in training. Peeta is great with paints and dyes. He camoflauged himself perfectly in the mud, Katniss didn't even realize he was there until he spoke and opened his eyes. And I even saw it in Prim. Katniss said that she cared way to much about the animal's deaths to kill them, so Katniss focused on her caring for her goat. I can see that even going into real life. We should do what we are good at, play up our strengths. Of course we need to venture out and new learn things like what Katniss and Peeta did during training, but we do have our individual skills. I think that this is a great theme to apply to our own lives. What do you think Surbhi?

Survival and...Death

This post is for Chapters 9 through 12...
Abby will post soon, there was a misunderstanding.

     The main event that with it brings the most evident reason for the banning of this book has begun in this section, the Hunger Games have finally kicked off. Just a couple chapters into the games, there is so much torture and violence that can already be seen, and it feels as if young children do not need to read this kind of material. The thing, though, is that The Hunger Games has actually been banned in high schools, and teenagers should not have a problem handling this kind of concept. There are multiple incidents so far where Katniss herself has been in danger or when she has witnessed the killing of a fellow tribute, but none of these things are intense enough to keep from teens, since many teenagers are already fully aware of situations in which violence is a result. In fact, it might just be that the tough conditions that these tributes face, such as when Katniss has to search for water in order to survive, can give teenagers the motivation they need to know that determination can help them through any situation. Plus, the way that Katniss describes the horror of seeing others die can possibly inspire violent teenagers to see just how much their actions can hurt others.

     The beginning of the Hunger Games is most likely going to be the most violent part because there are the most possible targets there will ever be since everyone is just getting started out. When the projector in the story shows that no one has been killed at the end of Chapter 12, the reader can interpret that the calmer yet more unexpected part of the games has begun. "I feel remarkably better. There are no faces tonight, no tributes died today." (pg. 171). It is very likely that the violence in this portion is the worst it will ever get, and if people are able to learn even from this part, this just shows how much this book can positively impact its readers. Even if this part of the book is very intense for some, it is a good learning experience as well as entertaining for others.