Allusions in The Hunger Games Allusion Definition

Basically...it’s when literature makes a reference, a brief mention, a shout-out to another work outside of itself. It could allude to: ● other literature ● songs, pop culture ● myth, religion ● art ● history Why do authors use allusions?

Allusions connect literature to other literature (or art or music or history or whatever). They enrich meaning.

Plus, they are a form of intertextuality, so they help books talk to each other...and help us talk to each each other. Remember Theseus & the Minotaur?

King Minos punishes Athens by The Capitol’s real message with sacrificing their children for his hosting the Hunger Games: Minotaur to eat. “Look at how we take your children and sacrifice them and WHY? there’s nothing you can do. If you Reminds them Minos can destroy lift a finger, we will destroy every them any time he wants. last one of you. Just as we did in District Thirteen.” (19) But remember… A hero (Theseus) gets fed up and STOPS this horror by defeating the Minotaur.

So what’s that mean for our Hunger Games hero? Let’s try another allusion... “‘You’re all they’re talking about. The star-crossed lovers from District 12!’ says Haymitch.” Allusion: “Star-Crossed Lovers”

➔ A phrase used to describe a relationship that is thwarted because of outside forces ➔ Originates from the astrological idea that the stars controlled people’s fates ➔ Usually has a negative connotation, as in the lovers are preordained to be unlucky or doomed Romeo & Juliet

“A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life” - Shakespeare Why would Katniss and Peeta be called star-crossed lovers?

Why might this be a good “angle” for them to take in the Games? “...the Cornucopia, a giant golden horn shaped like a cone with a curved tail...spilling over with the things that will give us life here in the arena.” Allusion: Cornucopia

➔ Origins in Mythology ◆ The infant and incredibly strong Zeus breaks off the horn of his nurse (who was a goat). The horn becomes a magical source of neverending nourishment. ◆ Hercules creates a cornucopia after fighting a river god and breaking off his horn. ➔ In North America, the cornucopia is associated with Thanksgiving and the harvest. Why is it both appropriateand humorous to call the horned structure in the arena a “cornucopia”? Panem Allusion: Panem Et Circenses

➔ A Latin phrase meaning “bread and circuses” ➔ Originated by Juvenal, a Roman poet from the first and early second century AD ➔ A political strategy in which the government offers the people pleasures, like food and entertainment, in order to keep them happy and distracted from what the government is doing Why do you think the author picked Panem as the name of this dystopian nation?

How does this phrase apply to the Capitol?