Catching Fire (Reaction Paper)

2008-44779

The Hunger Games trilogy is set in a dystopian future of the U.S.A. that has been divided to 13 districts. In the story, the districts are led by some loony people who hold Hunger Games annually. In this game, they will choose two random people from each of the districts of Panem to “bring pride” to their group. Bringing pride means risking and gambling for their lives as they enter the game.

In the Catching Fire sequel, Katniss Everdeen victoriously went home to her district together with Peeta Mellark. This time, they have to stay away again from their families as they have to tour all around the other districts to apologize and present their victory. As a victor, the Capitol decided to put them again as the representatives of their district to the 75^th Hunger Games. Another reason for choosing them is to get rid of Katniss, a lone girl who humiliated them.

This story is obviously a science fiction but there are some aspects of it that can be in today’s situation.  We can tell that the technology in Panem is like the flight of a sky rocket as they can now put people in some kind of RPG games.We can also see that the Capitol as a Communist form of government that has long been an ideology of some countries.  Remembering the days of battles in ideology and Cold War, the greatest contribution so far there is, is the Internet. From here, we can point out that technological advancement is a product of a revolt of a wrecked society. This, I must say is a Science Fiction with a realistic touch, something that‘s possible to happen In the future.  I also have to say that this film is a commentary of both past and future of human society. This is so because the people in the past are more conservative, like the people of Panem, who embrace the traditional way of living, such as hunting and gathering. And yet, the people in the game can also experience a great wave of digital life.

The fascist Capitol, of course, failed in developing the technology of the 13 Districts since I’ve already mentioned that people from the districts are living in the primitive way.  The technology they have is futile and moreover, it is destructive. In theory, technology should make our lives easier and efficient, but when used incorrectly, it can bring us uncontrollable problems.

To wrap this up, Catching Fire is one of the must see films for a Science, Technology and Society student because it is a story and reflection of our combined past and future that is being told to us today. 𝔐