Author’s Note- I wrote this piece to show my understanding of text analysis.

Throughout the whole book, Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins incorporates a lot of symbolism. Although you may not realize it, there’s some in every story you read. The Hunger Games is a fight to see who can survive. There are 12 districts and two people are chosen at random from each district: a boy and a girl. The whole point of the game is to obviously survive, and to get the most fans. The more fans, the more things they send to you; therefore, you survive longer. All of the symbols that Suzanne Collins uses in this book really help create an image for the reader and help them imagine what it’d be like to actually participate in the Hunger Games.

A symbol that really stuck out for me was the mocking jay pin that Katniss wore going into the Hunger Games. Each person going into the Hunger Games is allowed to bring one thing in with them. Out of everything that you could bring, Katniss decided to bring a mocking jay pin. For Katniss, that pin symbolizes protection and feeling safe. She wears it right next to her heart so she feels safe and thinks of her family waiting at home for her.

Besides feeling safe and protection, dependence on others is also a big symbol in this book. Although, the Hunger Games may seem like you’re on your own, all of the contestants still rely on the viewers to help them survive.  In order to fight of f sicknesses and to overcome hunger, Katniss and Peeta must put on a show for the viewers in order for them to send Katniss and Peeta supplies to survive. This symbol is not only used in the book, but is also mirrored in society. People need people. Although we try to be independent, the truth is we all depend on others  to help us. We can’t function on our own.

Another book that has the same theme of depending on others is the Harry Potter series . Throughout, the series  Harry is trying to fight off the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, who is trying to become immortal and conquer the wizard world. In order for Harry to succeed at defeating Voldemort, he depends on his friends: Ron Weasly and Hermione Granger. While writing this book, J. K. Rowling used a lot of symbolism. One example is, the deathly hallows. A  possessor of all 3 , comes to terms with death; which is where they get the name, The Master of Death. This symbolizes power over death.

Although the Hunger Games aren’t all about flying and dark magic, Harry Potter and Hunger Games have a lot in common when it comes to themes and symbolism. Just like these examples above, there is much more symbolism in these books and in many others. Though other books have symbolism, Suzanne Collins by far writes an outstanding story that gives you the adventure of being part of the Hunger Games all by using symbolism.