Is The Hunger Games good?

[Coolerranch]

I was thinkin': "Is the value of Life truly appreciated in the Hunger Games books?" After all, this is a book & movie series about a nation that thought it necessary to literally have children fight to the death on national government sponsored TV. It may try to hint at God supporting certain characters like Katniss or Peeta (even Snow) and how that has affected their choices in life and the people around them. But I wonder if the idea that God values all human life is properly represented here if at all. You see (despite reading/watching the whole series), I don't know if Collins actually articulates clearly how all the characters in the series have value according to God. In essence, how we the readers or viewers can genuinely empathize with the actions that all the characters make or participate in by knowing how God loves these people and how they reject or accept His Love. If you know the series, what are your thoughts on this?

 

[PloverWing]

The books (and movies) are not explicitly religious, but they do explore the question of power and control, and I think that's an important ethical area for Christians to think about.

As to the value of life, I'd say the books speak especially of the value of lives in poorer districts -- folks like farm workers and Appalachian coal miners. That's a point worth making. The books also speak uncomfortably of a population that's willing to go along with the hunger games -- why? Because the viewers are entertained? Because the stability of Panem's authoritarian government makes their lives more comfortable? Because they're too afraid to say anything? All interesting, and very human, motivations to explore.

 

[Coolerranch]

The books (and movies) are not explicitly religious, but they do explore the question of power and control, and I think that's an important ethical area for Christians to think about.

As to the value of life, I'd say the books speak especially of the value of lives in poorer districts -- folks like farm workers and Appalachian coal miners. That's a point worth making. The books also speak uncomfortably of a population that's willing to go along with the hunger games -- why? Because the viewers are entertained? Because the stability of Panem's authoritarian government makes their lives more comfortable? Because they're too afraid to say anything? All interesting, and very human, motivations to explore.

Yeah, but how do those things show how God values our lives?

 

[PloverWing]

Yeah, but how do those things show how God values our lives?

The books do not mention God directly, to the best of my memory.

Do you think the books would have been stronger if the author had made some of the characters explicitly religious and had them comment on how God would view their situation? Alternatively, would you put God's point of view into the narrator's voice? How do you envision changing the books?

 

[Coolerranch]

The books do not mention God directly, to the best of my memory.

Do you think the books would have been stronger if the author had made some of the characters explicitly religious and had them comment on how God would view their situation? Alternatively, would you put God's point of view into the narrator's voice? How do you envision changing the books?

Okay. How does God value our lives? Can you answer that? Afterwards, how does that apply to the book (or not) if you read it.

 

[PloverWing]

God made us in God's image and loves us beyond measure. For us and for our salvation, God was incarnate in Jesus, died, and was raised so that we might be rescued from sin and be reconciled to God. Jesus taught us that we should care for each other in the same way that God cares for us, as best as we can within our human limitations.

The Hunger Games books show people exploiting each other and controlling each other, rather than caring for each other, a lesson in what not to do (but what we might be tempted to do). The books also show people caring for each other in difficult or sacrificial ways -- Katniss taking Prim's place, for example, and later patiently caring for Peeta. The ending of the story, in which the rebels have to navigate overthrowing the oppressive regime without becoming oppressors themselves, is an interesting exploration of how to properly care for people's lives, and echoes Jesus' temptation of controlling all the kingdoms of the world if only he will bow to the devil.

So those are the connections I see, even without the name of God being mentioned in the books. I see God's work in the world as being primarily through human hands, as God works through us to care for one another, and perhaps that is a difference in our perspectives.