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Classical Myth in the Hunger Games M A S A R Y K U N I V E R S I T Y F A C U L T Y O F E D U C A T I O N Department of English Language and Literature Classical Myth in the Hunger Games Bachelor Thesis Brno 2015 Supervisor: Author: Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph.D. Miriam Dostálová Annotation This bachelor thesis Classical myth in the Hunger Games deals with the analysis of The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The primary focus is on the one of its main inspirations - the Greek mythology. The aim of this thesis is to expound how much are various mythology elements mirrored in the novel series. Furthermore, the thesis deals with the core myths of Greek Mythology, such as The Myth of Theseus and Minotaur, The Myth of Pyramus and Thisbe or Myth of Zeus’s cornucopia. These myths are the main source for enriching the novel’s plot. The thesis studies mythology traits, which can be found also in the setting of the novel, and examines the characters of the series and compares them to the significant figures of the Greek mythology. Anotace Tato bakalářská práce, Klasický mýtus v Hunger Games se zabývá analýzou Hunger Games trilogie od Suzanne Collinsové. Primární důraz je na kladen jednoho ze svých hlavních inspirací – řecké mytologie. Cílem této práce je vysvětlit, v jaké šíři jsou mytologické prvky odraženy v románové sérii. Dále se práce zabývá základními mýty o řeckém bájesloví, jako je například Mýtus Thésea a Mínótaura, Mýtus Pyramuse a Thisbe nebo Mýtus o Diově rohu hojnosti. Tyto mýty jsou hlavním zdrojem pro obohacení děje románů. Bakalářská práce studuje i mytologické rysy, které mohou být nalezeny v prostředí románu, a rovněž zkoumá postavy z knižní série a porovnává je s významnými postavami řecké mytologie. Key words The Hunger Games, Greek mythology, young-adult literature, dystopian novel Klíčová slova The Hunger Games, řecká mytologie, literature pro mládež, dystopický román 2 Prohlášení Prohlašuji, že jsem závěrečnou bakalářskou práci vypracovala samostatně, s využitím pouze citovaných literárních pramenů, dalších informací a zdrojů v souladu s Disciplinárním řádem pro studenty Pedagogické fakulty Masarykovy univerzity a se zákonem č. 121/2000 Sb., o právu autorském, o právech souvisejících s právem autorským a o změně některých zákonů (autorský zákon), ve znění pozdějších předpisů. Declaration I declare that I have compiled this bachelor thesis by myself and that I have used only the sources listed in the bibliography. Dne 30. března 2016 …………………….. Miriam Dostálová 3 Acknowledgments I would like to express my sincere gratitude towards my supervisor, Mgr. Lucie Podroužková, Ph. D., who was a kind, helpful and optimistic throughout the writing process of this thesis. In addition, I am thankful to my sister Kamila for her assistance. But most of all, I would like to thank my study partner Alexandra. With her moral support and companionship, these bachelor studies were enriching and enjoyable, at the same time. 4 C O N T E N T 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 6 2 Phenomenon called Hunger Games ...................................................................... 7 3 Behind the inspiration of Suzanne Collin’s trilogy ............................................. 10 4 Elements of the Story Imitated by Mythology .................................................... 11 4.1 Myth of Theseus and Minotaur ........................................................................... 11 4.1.1 Reflection of the myth in The Hunger games .................................................... 12 4.2 Myth of Pyramus and Thisbe and Collins’s Star-Crossed Lovers ...................... 15 4.3 Myth of Cornucopia ............................................................................................ 19 5 Setting of The Hunger Games and Mythology ................................................... 22 5.1 District’s representations..................................................................................... 22 6 Characters............................................................................................................ 29 6.1 Katniss Everdeen................................................................................................. 29 6.2 Cato 34 6.3 Finnick Odair ...................................................................................................... 35 7 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 37 8 Bibliography........................................................................................................ 39 5 1 Introduction The aim of the thesis is to study the traits and myths of Greek mythology which can be found in the dystopian young adult novel series, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. As the introduction, the thesis depicts the phenomenon of the series. It is surprising, that children in the schools are encouraged by their teachers to read this dystopian contemporary series as their compulsory optional reading. The chapter Phenomenon deals with this matter and further examines what is attractive about this series, which scored such a huge success around the world. It asks question of genre and inspiration that helped to build The Hunger Games world. Regarding the inspiration, the author worked with the combination of various contemporary issues and classical roots. The issues strongly resonates with today’s society (such as political oppression, reality television, child soldiers). Then it is the Collin’s inspiration which came from classic works, such as Shakespeare, John Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, Lord of the Flies, Greek ancient society and eventually, classical mythology, which is also subject of this thesis. The analyses has a primary focuses on the elements which helped Collins to create the plot the particularly it Myth of Theseus and Minotaur, Myth of Pyramus and Thisbee a.k.a. Star-crossed lovers and Zeus’s cornucopia – the horn of plenty. Further, the setting of the Hunger Games’ districts is expound and compared to various elements and attributes of Greek mythology figures. These figures, the most significant Gods and Goddesses of Greek mythology and their deities helped to build the façade of the Collins’s world of The Hunger Games, which keep fascinating broader scale of readers. The thesis also consists the depiction of significant characters of the trilogy and further compares them to various mythology figures. The primary focus is on the main protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, who is epitome of Greek warrior goddess, Athena or Goddess of hunt, Artemis. Additionally are mentioned minor characters which bear the traits of Athenian hero Heracles and greedy God Poseidon. 6 2 Phenomenon called Hunger Games The Hunger games trilogy is for sure a literary success. The first book called Hunger Games - Arena of the Death debuted in 2008. The debut was sold to million readers and it was translated into 26 languages (“The Hunger Games: Book review (level 2)”, 2012). It immediately rocketed into the New York Time Best-Selling list, where it was leading a supreme position for nearly 100 weeks (Armitstead, 2012). The following sequels Catching Fire and Mockingjay held the same position. “The series was voted second after J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter in NPR’s (National Public Radio) top 100 YA (young adult) novels.” (Balkind, 2014, p. 5) To top it all, series was made into motion pictures by Lionsgate Company. The first instalment earned in the box-offices $690 million globally, “with the third-best domestic opening weekend of all time for a non-sequel.” (Balkind, 2014, p. 5). Of course, the success was followed by the movies Catching Fire and Mockingjay Part 1 and Part 2. Series is not finished, and after tradition of another successful franchise of this decade, Harry Potter franchise, we can soon expect opening of series of theme parks and licensed attractions around the world. The first one is supposed to open in Dubai in 2016 (Suderman, 2015). It could be pointed out that the idea of theme parks feels immoral and bizarre. The Hunger Games plays with themes such as inequality of social classes, tyranny, political oppression, hypocrisy. Does the entertaining theme park feel right for such a series? The answer is probably no. Nevertheless, Suderman (2015) calls the success of the trilogy “a runaway smash” and adds that “The Hunger Games grew into a major cultural touchstone, a new pop classic rivalling, if perhaps not quite equalling, the power and influence of franchises like Star Wars and Harry Potter, both of which it will now join in an eternally licensed afterlife”. Why is series about brutality of government against its people and killing of children so popular? We can find the answer in combination of various elements. Suderman (2015) further points out that trilogy started at the “right” time. In 2008 America was in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The millennial generation, which is targeted market group of the novel, was entering college, struggling in its first jobs and transitioning into adulthood. The book spoke to the generation powerfully. Another win for the series is the targeted audience. Hunger Games is depicted as a Young Adult Book, which is “literature written for readers between the ages of 12 and 20” (Alsup, 2010, p. 1). As the Alsup (2010) highlights “the very best YA books can be as appealing 7 to adult readers as they are to teens” (p. 195). Walter (2014) in his article says that adults should
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