by Diana Crandall
With the “Hunger Games” novels topping the bestseller lists and the recent release of “Catching Fire” taking the box office by storm, you may have heard of the girl on fire and her ring of assorted misfits. The books-turned-movies aren’t just for entertainment purposes, though. The exploding franchise has several relevant, very important life lessons that we can all take away from the table. Here are just a few:
1. Be Selfless
Even those not familiar with the franchise have heard the words: “I volunteer as tribute.” This simple sentence launched District Twelve’s first female victor of the Hunger Games: Katniss Everdeen. Those who have read the novels and seen the films are aware that Katniss’ name was never supposed to be drawn in the reaping – it was her sister, Primrose, whose name was called.
Vividly aware of the violent fate that would await Prim in the arena, Katniss made the ultimate sacrifice on her sister’s behalf. If she had stayed silent and watched quietly from a distance as Prim was slaughtered in the arena, the ground that Panem stood upon would never have been shifted. Deceptively simple, selflessness was the catalyst for not only Katniss and Peeta’s victory, but also the revolution against the Capitol as a whole.
2. Be Self-Sufficient
It isn’t often that pop culture is introduced to a female heroine that is equal parts strong, sexy, emotional, and a complete badass. Katniss would be nothing without her ability to fend for herself. Not only is she a wizard with a bow, she is resourceful, innovative, and intelligent. She harnesses her best traits and utilizes them to her advantage.
The bridge between the Arena and the real world isn’t as far as you’d think; standing on your own two feet and being able to function by yourself is a necessity before diving headfirst into major life commitments like marriage and children. Her greatest attributes are also her greatest faults, however. Katniss is constantly coached by Haymitch and Peeta to be an ally to those around her, and to make friends with other tributes. These alliances end up saving her life.
3. Ask for help
The only tie that Katniss and Peeta have to one another before the games was as vague acquaintances. However, there was a vital interaction between the two of them when Katniss was a young girl. While Katniss was starving in the rain behind the Mallark’s bakery, Peeta purposefully burned bread as an excuse to throw it to her and keep her alive. He was punished severely by his mother for burning the bread – this returns us to lesson #1 – but he gave Katniss the gift of hope. The two begin to ask one another for help at increasing levels throughout the games. The lesson is this: asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is human, perfectly acceptable, and necessary for living.
4. Never doubt the importance of perception
“I don’t care what people think about me.” No? Well, maybe you should. Katniss and Peeta kept themselves alive in the games by fooling Panem with their “star-crossed lovers” act. Sponsors were so in love with Katniss and Peeta’s dalliance that they spent massive amounts of money to send them life-saving parachutes during the games.
The point is this: it doesn’t matter that Katniss and Peeta weren’t in love. Everyone thought they were. A well known quote states, “we tend to judge ourselves by our intention, and others by their behavior.” Remember that what people perceive to be true is usually what they believe. The impression you leave on others is marked. Hopefully the way you present yourself is in your favor.
5. Rules are made to be broken
What is arguably Katniss’ greatest character attribute is her refusal to follow blind orders. She doesn’t do what others expect her to do, simply because they demand it. She boldly defies district rules to hunt in the woods, and knows when to pierce authority with a well-aimed arrow. Remember to always question things that you hear, and remain true to yourself at your core. Yes, perception is important, but choosing to do the right thing is nearly always the correct choice to make – regardless of who tells you otherwise.
6. Sometimes, you just need a drink
Haymitch Abernethy has this down to a ritual. Sipping on sauce in nearly every on-camera scene and throughout the majority of the novels, Haymitch knows it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. He takes advantage of every opportunity he can to exercise his right to consume alcohol – obviously to the point of a fault. There is method to his madness, however. Sometimes, when life gets stressful, it’s okay to have a drink. Or two. Or ten.
If you don’t drink alcohol (or even if you do), your method of stress-release doesn’t have to be alcohol related at all. Exercise, get out of the house, read a book, see a movie with friends. Regardless of your method of “letting it out,” know that it’s okay to do sometimes – especially if your name gets called to fight to the death in an arena full of teenagers. Plus, you can buy a cool flask.
dcrandal@capital.edu
