A Feminist Approach

The Hunger Games has feminism hidden in the deepest corners of this novel and there are a wide range of ideas that can relate the book to feminist aspects. These include culture, stereotypes, equality, power and class. Individual characters and groups of people in The Hunger Games give us a clear image of how our world could be different if there were not strong gender roles.

In today's society, gender roles and stereotypes are very strong; in Panem, there are no gender roles. This is partly because of the cultural value of Panem as well as the economic, or social class of the citizens. Everyone works in the fields or the mines or factories, and if they do have an income or some type of reimbursement for labor, it is the same across genders. I feel like Collins creates this world where the general population has equal pay and job status according to district. Districts as a whole, I feel, were treated very different, but had fairness between genders. Those from Districts 1, 2 and 3 may not have the power that the Capitol has, but both genders have what they need and then some. Whereas in districts like Katniss's, people don't have what they need and die of starvation; but both women and men alike are treated equally yet unethically. The same goes for sponsors, the game makers and the mentors; both male and female are in these roles. Even in the actual 'games' girls don't get special treatment. Both genders kill each other and get killed; girls and boys alike are thought of as weak if they cry. Everyone has to be tough and able to fight just to survive.

Power is another aspect that lacks for most of the population, most men and women have no power against the Capitol and those with power such as the game makers are both genders. The Peacekeepers remain genderless, so it is most likely that their occupation is for both genders as well. The only person with the most power in the first book is President Snow, who is a man. This shows some form of a patriarchy society, but being a man he does not give special privileges to other men in lower positions. So in that aspect, it is not necessarily a patriarchal society. Further books in the series show Katniss as a symbol of power and leadership, reversing the gender roles by reading a story of a female heroine.

Katniss as an individual breaks away from the typical gender stereotypes that we would assume reading an action packed love story. Katniss takes care of others, which shows a somewhat feminine side to her, when she nurtures Rue and Peeta as well as when she looks after her younger sister Prim. Most of the time though she prefers to not show emotion and doesn't want to receive help from others, especially Peeta. When Peeta professed his love to her on screen she was horrified, most girls would be flattered. But to her, that would make her look weak, and she knows looking weak could cost her life.


Peeta, the boy with the bread. When it comes to cooking, baking and painting, he is an expert. Most of us would not expect a teenage boy to excel in these activities and also enjoy them. Not only do his choice of activities make him seem like a feminine character but his personality and responses do as well. Peeta is more reserved in front of Katniss, but is very charming and likable in front of a crowd. At times, he does show his strength and expresses anger; he also shows his protective side, trying to keep Katniss safe. It's times like these that his stereotypical masculine qualities stand out. Most of the time, Peeta shows very different qualities such as his vulnerability (expressing his love to Katniss), his emotions (tearing up on the train ride to the Capitol), and some of his weaknesses (inability to hunt and shoot arrows).
 

The stereotypes of gender are well defined throughout characters, whether it is following through the classic gender role or breaking away from it. I think The Hunger Games just shows us the extremes, more or less, of either role to emphasize we don't have to fit a certain mold; girls can be nurturing and defensive like Katniss and boys can be sweet, yet strong like Peeta.