Hunger Games, The (ATOM Study Guide)

In the ruins of a country once known as North America lies the nation of Panem. Panem consists of a Capital and twelve districts. As a punishment for the rebellion of the now-defunct District 13, the Capital maintains control by forcing each district to participate in the annual Hunger Games. The competition is a brutal and terrifying fight to the death, televised for all of Panem to see. Each district must send two tributes – one girl and one boy between the ages of twelve and eighteen – to compete. The last tribute standing is declared the victor. Their reward is a prosperous existence.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives with her mother and younger sister Primrose, volunteers to represent District 12 when her sister's name is drawn during the Reaping. Peeta Mellark, the son of a local baker, is also chosen to represent District 12. Katniss knows Peeta from school and feels as if she is in his debt because of a gift of a loaf of bread.

Katniss Everdeen knows how to survive. In the stratified society of Panem, District 12 is the poorest region and the Everdeens live in the Seam with other families who struggle to make ends meet. Since her father's tragic death in a mine explosion, Katniss has supported her family by hunting and gathering beyond the fences of District 12 with her friend Gale, whose father also died in the same explosion. Her family will struggle in her absence but Katniss knows that she stands a better chance of winning than Prim.

Katniss and Peeta travel to the Capital, where their mentor, Haymitch Abernathy – a resident of District 12 and former Hunger Games victor – instructs them. They are introduced to the Capital audience and become crowd favourites thanks to the efforts of their stylists and Peeta's admission of his unrequited love for Katniss. A confused Katniss believes Peeta's behaviour is a ploy to gain audience support. Sponsorship is crucial for survival and audience members are encouraged to send gifts to favoured tributes during the Games.

The Games begin. The stark brutality of life in the arena is evident from Day One. Eleven of the twenty-four tributes do not make it to Day Two. Katniss is resolved to outwit the Gamemakers. It will take all her strength and cunning but, unlike others, she can rely on her hunting and outdoor skills to survive. Peeta chooses to form an alliance with the Career Tributes, a decision that Katniss does not initially understand. It is only later that Peeta's motives become clear.

Katniss goes it alone, until she meets Rue. Rue, a twelve year-old girl from District 11, reminds Katniss of her sister Prim. When Rue is killed by another tribute, Katniss avenges her death and then sings to the dying Rue. Katniss decision to spread flowers all over Rue's body signals her disapproval of the Capital's lack of humanity and that she is determined not to lose hers.

When a rule change is announced midway through the games, Katniss calls Peeta's name out loud. Two tributes from the same district can now win the Hunger Games. Katniss searches for Peeta. When she finds him, he is safe but wounded. To save Peeta's life and gain favour with the audience, Katniss plays the part of a young girl falling in love. Gifts from her sponsors prove timely and soon Peeta takes his place by Katniss' side.

Days pass, tributes lose their lives and Katniss and Peeta wait for the announcement that they have won the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. Desperate for a dramatic finale, the Gamemakers reverse the rule change. Katniss and Peeta must kill or be killed. Instead, they both threaten suicide, knowing that the Gamemakers would rather have two winners than none. Their strategy works. Both Katniss and Peeta are declared winners.

It is during the victory celebrations that Katniss is warned by Haymitch that she has now become a political target. She has defied the authorities and her rebellion will be punished. It