Most people claim that The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a step away from the usual fairytale story that young girls love. They say that Katniss truly is the girl on fire, a metaphorical phoenix for the Feminist movement, rising from the ashes caused by its decline in the twenty-first century. Feminists support the novel because its main character, Katniss, seems to be a strong female lead, but they did not read closely enough. The traits that appear to make Katniss a feminist icon in fact serve as proof that she is just as vulnerable to society’s feeble expectations and stereotypes for women.
The Hunger Games reinforces female gender stereotypes through its misguided attempts at making Katniss a strong feminist lead and incorporating a few too many weak female characters, making the novel less a tale of feminist triumph and more a fairytale about a damsel in distress who is saved by countless knights and prince charming.
Right off the bat, the novel introduces us to the weakness of the female characters. Katniss tells how she and Gale hunt to feed their families. The first thing we see wrong here is her weapon of choice: “As soon as I’m in the trees, I retrieve a bow and sheath of arrows from a hollow log,” (5). Archery is commonly seen as a “girly” practice because it does not require much physical strength but instead focus and precision. One may initially view Katniss as a strong hunter, but in reality her use of an outdated and girlish weapon disregards her strength. Katniss’ mother shows why she had to take up hunting in the first place.
She didn’t do anything but sit propped up in a chair or, more often, huddled under the blankets on her bed, eyes fixed on some point in the distance. Once in a while, she’d stir, get up as if moved by some urgent purpose, only to then collapse back into stillness. No amount of pleading from Prim seemed to affect her. (26-27). Katniss did not choose to hunt as a sport but rather out of necessity. When her father died, Katniss had to step up to the plate and take over as the role of the “man of the house” because her mother was too distraught to get a job. Katniss and Gale had no other choice after the deaths of their fathers.
And you may as well throw in our mothers, too, because how would they live without us? Who would fill those mouths that are always asking for more? With both of us hunting daily, there are still nights when game has to be swapped for lard or shoelaces or wool, still nights when we go to bed with our stomachs growling. Both Katniss and Gale’s families fell apart after their fathers died, indicating that in Panem a man of the house is essential so he can take care of the women and children.
This is a very backwards way of thinking and the fact that the novel showcases this patriarchal structure shows that it goes against the independence preached by feminism. The quote shows that even as Katniss tries to take over for her father, she still fails, as her family still goes hungry from time to time. Katniss’ desire to take care of her family is expressed once again when she volunteers for Prim at the reaping. Many readers point to this scene as an example of Katniss’ bravery.
‘Prim!’ The strangled cry comes out of my throat and my muscles begin to move again. ‘Prim!’ I don’t need to shove through the crowd. The other kids make way immediately allowing me a straight path to the stage. I reach her just as she is about to mount the steps. With one sweep of my arm, I push her behind me. ‘I volunteer!’ I gasp. ‘I volunteer as tribute!’ (22).
This excerpt from Katniss’ perspective relays what happened at the ceremony and through it we can see that Katniss actually acted impulsively and allowed her emotions to control her. Her actions sparked from her desire to nurture and protect her little sister, not out of bravery. The use of the word “strangled” shows that Katniss will possibly regret what she knows she is about to do, since her body is stifling her voice. Her “gasping” of the words instead of “saying” them indicates fear in her tone as well as shock at her own actions.
This kind of irrational behavior is the basis on which men commonly judge women and is seen as a uniquely feminine weakness. We see more of this impulsive behavior in Katniss later on, too. When she must present her skills to the Gamemakers, she gets frustrated at their refusal to pay attention to her, so she shoots an arrow at them. It seems as if Katniss forgot to think in that moment and her actions could have cost her her life. Just like her mother, Katniss lets her emotions affect her behavior, a sign of weakness in women.
Where we really see Katniss turn into a damsel in distress is when she prepares for and enters the Hunger Games. Katniss has to rely on men for everything in order to make it through alive. Her mentor is a male and is responsible for just about everything that could help Katniss win. “You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world in these Games. The one who advises you, lines up your sponsors, and dictates the presentation of any gifts. Haymitch can well be the difference between your life and your death!”” (46- 47).
These words spoken by Effie show just how much Katniss needs Haymitch. He turns out to be the mastermind behind Katniss and Peeta’s strategy to win the games and holds Katniss’ life in his hands. Sadly, he suffers from severe alcoholism, but Katniss still has to rely on him over her own self to win the Games. Without him, she couldn’t have done it.
Katniss has her very own fairy-godfather, Cinna, to make her beautiful and appealing to her sponsors. He also comes up with the “girl on fire” signature that makes Katniss appear so fierce and inspires her throughout the games. Caesar Flickerman gives Katniss a personality for the television audience to make her more likable to the people of the Capitol. Without these men, Katniss is basically a vapid, disagreeable character. Her own personality and strengths don’t help her compete; the Katniss created by the men in charge of her help her compete and win. Cinna takes over the role of fairy-godfather while Haymitch and Caesar Flickerman serve as her knights in shining armor by saving her from her own lack of strategy and personality.
Katniss has her knights, but she also has Prince Charming: Peeta Mellark. With Haymitch’s help, Peeta gives Katniss a big edge in the Hunger Games by professing his “love” for her: “He made you look desirable! And let’s face it, you can use all the help you can get in that department,”” (135). Here comes Prince Charming on his white horse to show the ugly stepchild that she is truly beautiful! Peeta’s character is a feminist nightmare as he continuously helps Katniss.
Their romance, a scheme devised by Haymitch and Peeta, makes Katniss appeal to the Capitol more by giving her a story. Without it, she would not have landed the sponsors she did. Earlier, when Katniss states that she recognizes the Avox, she immediately makes herself sound like a traitor to the Capitol. Peeta steps in and covers up her words by telling an innocent, yet false story. This is just one more instance where Katniss makes a mistake by not thinking and then has to let Peeta save her. Even though Katniss saves Peeta’s life once in the games, Peeta saves her countless more times like in the instance of the Avox girl, giving Katniss bread when she was starving, and also by leading the careers away from her. Without Peeta,
Katniss would have been screwed from the start. Thresh also spares Katniss’ life by defending her against other tributes. Relying so heavily on the protection of the men around her is not a trait of the strong, independent, feminist role model that so many people believe Katniss is.
Katniss is not the only damsel who appears weak and needs the help of other sources to survive. Katniss’ mother and sister Prim are also forced to rely on men while Katniss is away at the Games. Gale assures Katniss that he will bring them meat and Peeta’s father, a baker, promises that he will give bread to Prim. Glimmer, the female tribute from District 1 relies on her status as a career to form alliances with the men and exploits her good looks and sexuality to get sponsors, as shown in her interview. She is reminiscent of a certain celebrity type that gets by on her inheritance and her glamorous looks. We see through Katniss that she is utterly incapable of using a weapon and instead tries to pass it off to a stronger boy, Cato. She is definitely not the face of feminism.
Feminism calls for independent and individualistic women and the women from the Capitol are neither of these things. Effie Trinket, District 12’s escort from the Capitol, seems to be the absolute antithesis to feminism. She is shown as a ditzy woman with extremely traditional values and no sign of individuality. She is just a slave to the Capitol.
Bright and bubbly as ever, Effie Trinket trots to the podium and gives her signature, ‘Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!’ Her pink hair must be a wig because her curls have shifted slightly off-center since her encounter with Haymitch. She goes on a bit about what an honor it is to be here, although everyone knows she’s just aching to get bumped up to a better district where they have proper victors, not drunks who molest you in front of the entire nation.
Effie’s physical description shows her vanity with her pink wig. She also seems deliriously unaware of the atmosphere of the reaping as she wishes everyone a “happy” Hunger Games. It is sad the one of the main female leads in the novel is a total airhead.
And along with that, she is taken advantage of by Haymitch as Katniss states, being “molested in front of the entire nation.” Unfortunately for Effie, there is no Prince Charming waiting to defend her. Some readers point to Foxface as an example of a smart female character. Yes, she seems cunning and quick at first, but her death reveals her own foolishness as she eats poison berries to die. This was no suicide attempt, as she has one of the highest wills to live out of all the tributes and tries to use her skills to her advantage to stay alive.
The women in The Hunger Games are not as smart as they are given credit for being. The men in the novel seem to be the real masterminds behind the strategies and tactics of the games. Just look at who is in charge here, the president of Panem, Katniss’ mentor, and the Head Gamemaker are all men. Suzanne Collins failed to give women an equal amount of important positions.
Many people claim that the Games themselves show equality because there is an equal amount of boys and girls who must fight. But with that, the boys still have a clear advantage as Haymitch says, “never underestimate strength in the arena. Very often, physical power tilts the advantage to a player,”” (91-92).
In every case of physical description in the novel, the male characters are larger and more physically able than the female characters. This, of course, is a natural phenomenon that feminism does not try to oppose, but nonetheless disproves the fact that the Games give the girls an equal shot at winning. “She can hit the target every time with a slingshot. But what is a slingshot against a 220-pound male with a sword?” (99). Here, Katniss is describing one of little Rue’s biggest strengths, but even Katniss knows that Rue stands no chance against the boys in the Games. The boys have the girls beat in the fighting where physicality is concerned.
In lieu of physical strength, the girls of the Games are told to rely on their looks as a way to get by. Hopefully, they will earn the attention of some sponsors to send them gifts. “I survived my interview, but what was I really? A silly girl spinning in a sparkling dress. Giggling,” (136). Katniss’ reflection on her interview shows what the people of the Capitol are really looking for in the girls: just a pretty face in a pretty dress. Katniss is even forced to undergo a complete makeover based on the Capitol’s idea of beauty.
My legs, arms, torso, underarms, and parts of my eyebrows have been stripped of the stuff, leaving me feeling like a plucked bird, ready for roasting. I don’t like it. My skin feels sore and tingling and intensely vulnerable. But I have kept my side of the bargain with Haymitch, and no objection has crossed my lips. (61-62).
What is most disturbing about this is not the shameless ripping of hair from Katniss’ body, not the way it makes her feel afterward, and not even the way she clearly opposes to the whole idea. No, it sits in the last two lines of the quote, “I have kept my side of the bargain with Haymitch and no objection has crossed my lips.” Katniss admits that her male mentor told her she was not allowed to object to the changes that the Capitol would make to her own body and she proudly states that she abided by his rules.
Instead of claiming ownership of her own body, Katniss falls to the Capitol’s control and allows them to dictate how she should look. This is not a tale of an inspiring role model. To be a true female role model, Katniss would have said something in opposition to the way they controlled her body and looks and would have stood up for what was right.
Katniss lets the Capitol take control of one more thing in her life: her relationship. She is forced to exploit her relationship with Peeta to satisfy the people of the Capitol. It all began when Cinna instructs her to hold hands with Peeta and progressed into her kissing Peeta for gifts from sponsors.
Haymitch couldn’t be sending a clearer message. One kiss equals one pot of broth. I can hear his snarl. ‘You’re supposed to be in love, sweetheart. The boy’s dying. Give me something I can work with!’ And he’s right. If I want to keep Peeta alive, I’ve got to give the audience something more to care about. (261).
The Capitol became so enthralled with the love story that Katniss knew she had to push forward with it, and Haymitch encouraged the behavior, leaving Katniss no choice if she wanted her and Peeta both to survive. She was essentially forced to kiss Peeta and develop emotions for someone who she once thought she would see die in the arena against her will. Katniss felt like she owed it to Peeta because he had saved her so many times, but it just shows how she was unable to survive independently.
The Hunger Games conforms to the ideals of our current society, showing the downfall of the Feminist movement and society’s fixation on what it means to be a woman. The novel confirms the negative traits commonly associated with women today: emotional, irrational, weak, and codependent. Contrary to what many people say, Katniss unfortunately fails to prove these traits wrong and instead reinforces them. While The Hunger Games appears to be feminist on the surface, deep down it shows the problems of today’s culture and the effect it can have on our literature. A female character who appears the least bit brave is honored for being so strong, when in reality she is no different from the fairytale princesses who rely on their prince for their happily ever after.
