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.
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.
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