One of my favorite novels of all time is the Hunger Games trilogy. This trilogy has been praised for its commentary on modern day society and for its strong feminist lead. I remember reading them when I was a young adult and idolizing the main character, Katniss Everdeen, for her strength and leadership throughout the hunger games.
“It was slow-going at first, but I was determined to feed us. I stole eggs from nests, caught fish in nets, sometimes managed to shoot a squirrel or rabbit for stew, and gathered the various plants that sprung up beneath my feet. Plants are tricky. Many are edible, but one false mouthful and you’re dead. I checked and double-checked the plants I harvested with my father’s pictures. I kept us alive.” (4.19)
Katniss must take over the role as head of the household when her father does, a role that usually would go to the “man of the house”. Katniss hunts for food in order to feed her family when they have no money to buy food, a skill that is associated with masculinity. Katniss also takes on the role of Prim’s mother when their own mother falls into depression while grieving the loss of her husband. Katniss had to learn to become a strong woman at an age when most young girls wouldn’t necessarily have to worry about these types of struggles.
The women of Katniss’s district seem to fulfill the role of housewives, but this is contrasted with their forced participation into the hunger games. Once women are chosen for the games, they take on more masculine characteristics in their desire for survival. The women who don’t embrace masculine characteristics in the games die more quickly, while the women who have more strength and can fight and hunt survive the games longer and even win the games.
“I spread out my fingers, and the dark berries glisten in the sun. I give Peeta's hand one last squeeze as a signal, as a good-bye, and we begin counting. "One." Maybe I'm wrong. "Two." Maybe they don't care if we both die. "Three!" It's too late to change my mind. I lift my hand to m mouth, taking one last look at the world. The berries have just passed my lips when the trumpets begin to blare.” (25.93)
Katniss’s act of defiance against the games transforms her into the leader of the rebellion, a rebellion against the conformity that the government has placed over the districts. Katniss’s role as a strong leader in this rebellion and her struggle against the overbearing dominance of President Snow’s control shows the importance for women of future generations to fight back against male oppression. Snow’s condescending and manipulative tactics represent the real life oppression that women face everyday when fighting to achieve gender equality.
Katniss’s character embodies the hope for women of the future to fulfill strong leadership roles, and I think her character is helpful in showing young women that they can fulfill strong leadership roles in society.
Comentários