The Hunger Games

Question 1

List examples of powerplay in The Hunger Games

Answer 1

1. “Katniss Everdeen with a score of 11”
2. “Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.”
3. “I know you know how to handle a mob, you’ve done it before.”
4. “Two victors may be crowned, so long as they come from the same district.”
5. “You know how you stay alive? You get people to like you.”
6. “High Voltage” and “Do Not Cross” signs
7. Katniss and Peeta threatening suicide
8. American flag colours in Seneca’s interview with Caesar
9. Blimp flying over Katniss and Gale
10. “He made you look desirable”

Question 2

“Katniss Everdeen with a score of 11”

Answer 2

Said by: Caesar
Powerplay: Seneca gives Katniss the highest score on purpose - by giving her power over others she’ll have a target on her back
Technique: impressed tone & facial expression - even Caesar, a very powerful man, is impressed

Question 3

“Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is dangerous.”

Answer 3

Said by: President Snow
Powerplay: instead of giving each district hope of winning the games and wanting to compete, he needs the poor districts to lose so that they don’t gain hope and try to overthrow the capitol
Technique: dialogue - anaphora

Question 4

“I know you know how to handle a mob, you’ve done it before.”

Answer 4

Said by: Haymitch
Powerplay: complimenting Seneca would usually give him less power - but Haymitch uses it to perusade him into doing what he wants
Technique: eye level shot - Haymitch manages to get onto Seneca’s level

Question 5

“Two victors may be crowned, so long as they come from the same district.”

Answer 5

Said by: Games announcer
Powerplay: manipulates Katniss into thinking she is choosing to be with Peeta when it was them who forced them together to give the public a story
Technique: dialogue - uses a pointed tone as if directly speaking to Katniss

Question 6

“You know how you stay alive? You get people to like you.”

Answer 6

Said by: Haymitch
Powerplay: winning the games is not based on strategy and strength, but public perception and likeability
Technique: Hypophora - directly telling the viewer how the Hunger Games really work

Question 7

“High Voltage” and “Do Not Cross” signs

Answer 7

Context: warning signs in front of a fake electric fence
Powerplay: Capitol only has power because they seem powerful - divide districts to prevent an uprising
Technique: visual metaphor

Question 8

Katniss and Peeta threatening suicide

Answer 8

Powerplay: While suicide usually means defeat, in this case it means beating the Capitol as they need at least one winner to maintain power over districts
Technique: Narrative structure - double suicide bluff

Question 9

American flag colours in Seneca’s interview with Caesar

Answer 9

Powerplay: Power comes from their status instead of their achievements - they represent the masses even though they have always been the elite
Technique: lighting and colour - red white and blue

Question 10

Blimp flying over Katniss and Gale

Answer 10

Powerplay: Even in their own district, people have no power over their lives
Technique: Visual metaphor - Blimp represents Captiol, High angle - Capitol is literally ‘above’ them

Question 11

“He made you look desirable.”

Answer 11

Said by: Haymitch
Powerplay: While being in love can make you seem weak - it can also make you seem desirable, Katniss is using her femininity to her advantage to get sponsors
Technique: dialogue - factual tone, Haymitch knows how the game is played