What we can learn from The Hunger GamesMartin Hughes, Dean of Undergraduate Education

For the past few years I’ve been writing a book on movies about the future. I find these films fascinating. They don’t just offer a glimpse of how the world might be like one day; the better ones also give a fairly accurate depiction of how the world actually is right now.

This is especially true of the Hunger Games movies – at least the first two that have already been released. I’ve watched these movies several times each, and I’ve come away from them with one strong impression: today’s young people are being pitted against each other for their ultimate survival, in a contest arranged for them by adults.

One certainly can use the Hunger Games premise as an opportunity to criticize the existing social and economic system. We could imagine other ways to organize society that sacrifices fewer of its children in the competition. Indeed, we might even imagine a world in which the older generation actually helps the younger generation grow into positions of leadership and responsibility, instead of viewing them as a threat or a challenge.

I enjoy such critiques as prophetic calls to action, but not everyone does. Many people believe that it’s better – or more practical – to succeed by playing the game under the existing rules, however unfair, than to fail in an attempt to change the game or fix the rules. For these people, the Hunger Games has some important advice to offer.

In the weeks leading up to graduation I’d like to share these valuable lessons about how to survive the competition, in the hopes of sparking some conversation in our campus community. Let’s see if it catches fire.

In future Herald columns I’ll be writing about some of the things that Katniss did right. First, I’ll explore how she came to the contests with some real and valuable skills. These skills, not only in terms of what she could do, but also – and perhaps more importantly – how she could think, gave her an edge in the arena.

But individual abilities are not enough. Success is always, and necessarily, a collective effort. Because of her thinking skills Katniss understood that she depended upon others to survive. These others included her allies among her fellow competitors in the games, but also her mentors and sponsors outside the arena – many of whom she did not know, like, or trust.

Next, I’ll discuss the importance of having a plan. Katniss’s being prepared for what was likely, or even for what was possible, often made the difference between life and death. But part of being prepared means expecting the unexpected, and being flexible enough to improvise a reaction.

But at no point did Katniss ever plan on being the Mockingjay. It wasn’t something she wanted for herself, even though she was well suited for the role. Thus I’d like to consider what it means for us to answer a call greater than survival or success. Living for Christ surely requires us to limit or even deny our own comfort, happiness, and security.

Whether by accident or design, the Hunger Games movies offer a helpful road map for Cornerstone students. These four basic lessons – develop skills, build relationships, have a plan, and answer a call – are tools that can help students meet their future, the one they are building together today.