The Hunger Games Trilogy: Building Even as We Tear Down

The Hunger Games Trilogy has become a staple in the Young Adult genre, inspiring a generation of readers to think critically about social issues, government systems, and the applications of revolution. Revisiting the trilogy with a critical eye, we will look closely at the world of Panem and how it came to be, how it maintained control over the population, and how it all came to crumble around them. Crucially, we will keep our eye on the world-building fantasies of revolution – the imagined world and what must be torn down to build something better. This seminar is designed for anyone interested in social justice, political systems, and dystopian literature. While it is a young adult novel, it remains a powerful and continuously timely commentary on the function of revolution.

As we read, we will examine the transformation of Katniss from a victim to a revolutionary figure. Katniss resists the revolution’s attempts to turn her into a heroic figure, but her individual wishes are constantly subjugated. Both the Capitol and the Revolution deny Katniss her girlhood. She must navigate the choppy waters of oppression and freedom and weigh her needs as only one person against the needs of an entire country.

Throughout the seminar, we will also focus on the importance of Young Adult texts as stepping stones in one’s journey to critical integration. Young Adult literature can spark the desire to critically interrogate media and open the door to more complex texts and ideas.

Texts

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay 

all by Susan Collins

Access Program
We want our writing classes and Delves to be accessible to everyone, regardless of income and background. We understand that our tuition structure can present obstacles for some people. Our Access Program offers writing class and Delve tuitions at a reduced rate. Most Delves have at least one access spot available.

Please apply here for access rate tuition. Contact Susan Moore at susan@literary-arts.org if you have questions.

Liaison position
Every in-person class and seminar at Literary Arts has one liaison position. Liaisons perform specific duties for each class meeting. If you are a liaison for a class or seminar, the full amount of your tuition is covered by Literary Arts.

Apply here for the liaison position.