The Hunger Games Podcast. Join the Rebellion.

A new podcast! I love it! You guys are awesome on Demigods LIVE! and this podcast is great too. And about the Katniss being too old thing Elena, they use movie magic to maken then look younger. If you’ve seen deathly hallows part 2, Snape looks younger by a LOT in the princes tail scene. And Thats still thensame actor (Allen rickman). It’s the same with Annabeth in lightning thief. Deddario was almost 30 in the movie and they still made her look like a teenager. Entertainment weekly has also released photos of the cast and they look amazing. And alex, if you see them, They make Liam Hemsworth look way younger. They just filmed the scene before the chariot scene. If you want more updates on the movie then let me know!

You guys probably won’t see this, but since I just found the podcast, I thought I’d post it anyways.

On Ancient Rome:
The point of the cruelty and… well, barbarism of the games is not that we are becoming less sophisticated, but more that it is a technique of control. In a way, it is actually highly sophisticated, and specifically designed to keep the districts in check (although this plan eventually back fires as seen in the final rebellion).

The capitol is forcing the districts to give up their children in a game of chance where the MIGHT win a years worth of ‘prosperity’. That in itself could keep them under control for a certain amount of time. But on top of that they force them to CELEBRATE. This is a clear message from the capitol that 1) they know people aren’t happy, 2) they don’t care, 3) they can and will find ways to hurt people who don’t do as they wish, and ultimately 4) they have the power. That’s what it’s about. Misplaced and corrupt power.

Additionally, it’s rather genius of them to not show any of the disparity to the citizens of the Capitol. It’s true that it’s disgusting that the Capitol people don’t realize it’s wrong, but it’s not their fault for the most part. They’re brainwashed, and they don’t have to give up their children. They really do believe that it’s an honor to be a winner, they forget about the part where it’s punishment for the uprising.

It all comes together with the mentioning of “Panem et Circenses” or “Bread and Circuses”. This was a way in Ancient Rome to gain political favor. The more “Circuses” a politician produced, and the more bread they gave to citizens, the more support they had.
It is important to remember that “Circuses” then could mean a great many things. There were chariot races, along with gladiatorial contests, and more. Gladiators were slaves who gained a kind of celebrity status with each win – much like the victors of the Hunger Games. Despite the fact that they were slaves, and forced to do as Roman society dictated, honor was still very important – an honorable death and an honorable fight were very important. Sometimes they fought humans, sometimes animals, but honor and bravery were the most important part.
This aspect of the Circuses was just as brutal as the portrayal in the Hunger Games, but scholars believe they started out a bit differently. Games were held during the funerals of important people to honor the dead and the gods. An entire book of the 12 book Aeneid (the story of the founding of Rome) is devoted to the hero Aeneas holding funeral games for his father – whom he carried on his shoulders out of the burning city of Troy.

The emphasis on honor rings through the Hunger Games as well. There’s a reason Katniss respects certain people, and talks about it. There are pure people, honorable people, and brave people, and every single one of them, through their very existence, helps to bring down the Capitol. By existing, and remaining untainted by the evil of the Games, they are shrugging off the control the Capitol holds on them.

Sorry for the long and slightly off topic post. I hope this sheds some light on the origins of the Games and some of the references that Ms. Collins makes in her stories.