Feminism in The Hunger Games

Following a time full of destruction, the continent of North America became the super-country of Panem. Separated into 12 separate districts, it exists under the rule of the totalitarian President Snow. We learn that a thirteenth district had once existed, but was completely destroyed during a brutal national rebellion. This was the beginning of the development of the annual Hunger Games, where one boy and one girl, between ages 12 and 18, are chosen by lottery from each district as tributes to fight to the death. The Games serve as a reminder as to the power of the government. I believe the film was a wonderful display of feminism, though there were many other themes touched upon as well.

The main character and heroine of The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen played by Jennifer Lawrence, volunteers herself as tribute during the Reaping in place of her younger sister Prim who was originally chosen by the lottery. In doing this within the first 10 minutes of the movie, she defies gender roles by exhibiting “masculine” and “feminine” traits. Her “feminine” traits include that she is family-centered and selfless, seen when she volunteers herself as tribute. Her selflessness, compassion and family-centeredness are seen alongside with her overwhelming courage to volunteer as tribute and composition afterwards show the mixture of both “feminine” and “masculine” traits. 

Another example of her clearly “feminine” and “masculine” traits is her behavior in the household and outside of it, from the beginning of the film. It is evident by how Katniss provides for her mother and sister by hunting and the dynamics between her and her mother. In this case she is both the “bread-winner” or authority in the household more then her own mother, as is she family-centered and caring.

Moreover, at the age of 16, one would expect her to have a keen interest in the opposite sex, yet she does not. In fact, she has two suitors throughout the movie, Gale and Peeta. Yet despite both of their efforts to win her over, she is clearly not interested. Though she must fake being madly in love with Peeta over the duration of The Games, it is just for the sole purpose of getting sponsors. Her rough attitude can be understood as “masculine”, however I believe her behavior comes from her own sense of self. She has the brains, the beauty, and a goal of her own that she must achieve. 

Katniss is not a “man-hating feminist” by any means, yet she displays many characteristics that empower women, and have empowered many young girls who have seen this film. She becomes a strong, yet nurturing woman in the film, while being fiercely independent. Katniss is a very complex character that many young women today can identify with. This was not one of those films where the helpless female character needs saving by a man, but where she can rely on herself.