Pacifism in a Time of War

Or, Why I Won't Be Watching The Hunger Games in Theatres.

I think there is a split between people who like The Hunger Games trilogy for the characters and writing, and people who found the message far more important than the relationships. Dystopias are written to parallel contemporary culture. So, there is definitely a statement about the world in which we live to be found here.

But I think it goes even further. On the surface, this is a hero tale. A girl overcomes remarkable odds to make the world a better place. Now, I identify with Katniss.  As much as someone from the middle class who has never been in combat can. But I didn't read the series as a hero tale. Katniss simply does what she has to to survive and protect her family. And if it were just a hero tale, I don't think the series would be very remarkable. The writing is very good, the characters full and complex. Suzanne Collins has a knack for always leading her characters down the most difficult paths.  But there is nothing inherently disturbing in the hero tale.  Even set in a dystopia.  But there is something deeper at work here.

Suzanne Collins is not just writing a cautionary tale. As I read it, The Hunger Games trilogy is one of the  most well argued pieces of anti-war literature ever to masquerade as an adventure story.

The Hunger Games is a pacifist manifesto.

She builds the most compelling case for a just war that you could make.  Then she deconstructs her case by showing all the evils of war without pulling any punches or glossing over long term consequences with a happy ending.

I honestly didn't care about the romance. I cared about the characters as individuals, but I really cared most about Panem. Is there a way out? Once it blows up beyond what one girl can handle, will we get a break emotionally and have a little bit of offstage exposition? No. We will be dragged through every detail of injuries, propaganda, emotional trauma, politics, corruption, bravery, injustice, cruelty, and love.  We will be made to see the crimes committed by both sides.  We will be forced to look into the faces of the oppressed.  And we hear the voice of the author: "This is wrong. This is wrong. This is wrong."

I feel a little uncomfortable with the fan response to the books. Because I didn't enjoy them.  Not the way I enjoy most novels.  But they spoke to me and I hope the die-hard fans heard at least some of the message I did. For me, the entire series boiled down to one conversation:

"We're fickle, stupid beings with poor memories and a great gift for self-destruction. Although who knows? Maybe this will be it, Katniss." 
"What?" I ask.
"The time it sticks."


Anything less than this central message renders the movie meaningless to me.  And if it's spot on, I'll be more messed up by it than by the books. So I won't be seeing the movies.

But, for the record, Team Peeta.