The Hunger Games Take Home Essay - A

The Hunger Games Take Home Essay - A

Choose ONE of the following prompts and write a well-organized and supported essay to prove your assertions. Do not merely paraphrase Collins or summarize the plot. Remember the PEE Chain: make a point, provide evidence, and explain how your evidence proves your point. Include quotes from the novel (evidence) and cite them (page #). Provide citations for any outside resources you have consulted for information. Use present tense.

Identify to which prompt you are responding.

·  1-page minimum

·  Identify prompt you are using at the top of the paper

·  Type and double space

·  Use present tense

·  Include a strong, clear thesis

·  Provide 2-5 points to prove your thesis

·  For every point to prove your thesis, provide 2-5 cited quotes or pieces of support to prove your point

o  Must include no less than 3 quotes from the novel in your essay

·  Explain how each quote proves your point and/or proves your thesis

Rough draft due: ______This is a 4th quarter portfolio requirement.

PROMPTS – Choose one:

1.  Although the government of Panem does everything it can to keep its citizens under strict rule, it still is unable to quell the rebellious nature of several people or groups of people. Discuss the concept of rebellion by choosing two of the five incidents listed. For each incident, be sure to include the following information in your essay: Which character(s) are involved in the incident, and why do they choose to rebel? In what ways can the incident be viewed as an act of rebellion against the Capitol? What is the symbolic nature (meaning beyond physical act) of the incident? What is the result of it?

Incidents (choose 2):

a.  the people of District 12 refuse to applaud at the reaping

b.  Katniss and Peeta hold hands during the opening ceremonies of the Games

c.  Katniss covers Rue’s dead body in wildflowers

d.  District 11 sends a loaf of bread as a gift to Katniss

e.  Peeta and Katniss prepare to eat the berries in an apparent double suicide attempt

2.  Discuss how Collins establishes from the first chapter that the government of Panem is oppressive. Give examples from the book (use quotes and cite them) that answer the following questions: Why are people fearful of the Capitol? What rights do we have in our society that the people in the districts of Panem lack? How does Collins present the imbalance of wealth and power between the Capitol and the outlying districts? Describe the various tactics that the Capitol uses to maintain its power. (The “Dystopias: Definition and Characteristics” handout may help you.)

3.  Are the Hunger Games plausible? Is our society becoming desensitized to war and violence because we see it so often on TV and in the movies? Or, are we less so than the ancient Romans?

4.  Collins has said that The Hunger Games was greatly influenced by the ancient Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Read a summary of this myth (handout), and consider the following questions: How are the Hunger Games similar to the situation in the myth. Explain how the following concepts are presented in both stories: tyranny, manipulation, and sacrifice.

5.  “You know, you’re kind of squeamish for such a lethal person” (Peeta to Katniss, chpt 19, p 258). Katniss is a complex individual – capable of incredibly compassionate gestures as well as ruthless acts. Is Katniss a good person?