THE HUNGER GAMES AND THE GOSPEL - St. Matthew's ...THE HUNGER GAMES ÒWe have so much TV coming at us all the time . . . . Are we becoming desensitized to the entire experience?Ó

THE HUNGER GAMES AND THE GOSPEL

With Thanks to Julie Clawson

Saturday, November 16, 2013

SUZANNE COLLINSBorn in 1962

Moved frequently as a child

Alabama School of the Arts

Indiana University

New York University

Wrote for children’s television

The Underland Chronicles in 2003


FATHER’S INFLUENCE

Served as an Air Force pilot

Deployed to Viet Nam

Taught history at West Point

Often visited battlefields with family

Felt “a great responsibility and urgency about educating his children about war”


IDEAS UNDERLYING THE HUNGER GAMES

“We have so much TV coming at us all the time . . . . Are we becoming desensitized to the entire experience?”

“If we introduce kids to these ideas earlier, we could get a dialogue about war going earlier and possibly it would lead to more solutions . . . . I just feel it’s not discussed, not the way it should be. I think it’s because it’s uncomfortable for people. It’s not pleasant to talk about. I know from my experience that we are quite capable of understanding things and processing them at an early age.”


DYSTOPIA

a fictional society that represents “a very

unpleasant imaginary world in which

ominous tendencies of our present social, political, and technological order are

projected in some disastrous future

culmination.” M. H. Abrams


WHAT IS THE HUNGER GAMES ABOUT?

Illusion vs. reality

Just vs. unjust wars

Suffering as entertainment

The importance of appearances

Individuality and independence

Manipulation by the media


WHAT IS THE HUNGER GAMES ABOUT?

Inequality of the rich and poor

Love, sacrifice, and community

Dealing with tragedy and loss

Price of telling truth to the oppressor

Necessity of hope


REFERENCES TO THE ROMAN EMPIRE

Children as Gladiators

The Arena

Social Classes

Peacekeepers

“Panem et Circenses”

Names: Caesar, Portia, Octavia, Seneca,

Claudius, Plutarch, Cinna, Coriolanus,

Castor and Pollux, and many more


WHY WAS JESUS SENT INTO THE WORLD?

Jesus before Pilate

The Woman at the Well

Healing the Lepers

Feeding the 5000


THE BEATITUDES

Matthew 5:1-12

“Mini-pictures of God’s dreams realized on earth as in heaven . . .” Julie Clawson

What did they say in Jesus’ day?

How do they apply to The Hunger Games?

What do they say to us today?


THE POOR IN SPIRIT

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3

Reflect on the meaning of this beatitude. Who were/are “the poor in spirit?”

What is “the kingdom of heaven”? Is it now and/or not yet? Explain.


THE POOR IN SPIRIT

The Roman Empire of Jesus’ time and the Capitol in the world of The Hunger Games used “bread and circuses” to distract the masses from caring about the oppressed or working for justice. What are the distractions in our world that keep us from responsibly working for a better world?

Jesus and Katniss both live counter-culturally, but they were both part of the oppressed lower classes that were often necessarily at odds with the dominant culture already. How can we, as part of the dominant culture, live counter-culturally today?


THOSE WHO MOURN

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Reflect on the meaning of this beatitude. How can mourning be blessed?

How/where do mourners find comfort? How is a comforted mourner transformed?


THOSE WHO MOURN

In Rome those who were crucified were left to decompose on the cross. At times widows were fined if they did not remarry within the Empire’s allotted period. Katniss had no time to mourn her many losses until the Capitol finally lost its power. How does preventing the oppressed from mourning sustain Rome’s/the Capitol’s power? How is mourning prevented in our own world? Why?

Has mourning ever been a healing force in your life? Where could it be used in our world?


THOSE WHO MOURNOne of the most common criticisms of The Hunger Games is its depiction of extreme violence. Is the remembering (and depicting) of violence and the harm it inflicts necessary for true mourning? What are the benefits and dangers of telling stories of the true cost of violence--both fictional and historical?


DANDELIONS IN THE SPRING

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16


DANDELIONS IN SPRING

Did you find the ending to be hopeful, disturbing, or both? Why?


DANDELIONS

Katniss had to discover her identity apart from the ways of the world. As Christians, must we resist the ways of the world in order to live in the ways of the Kingdom of God? If so, what might that look like?

In the end Katniss discovers that she needs not the fires of rage and revenge, but the hopefulness of love that encourages new life. How would you connect her revelation to the Gospel message?


Documents

THE HUNGER GAMES AND THE GOSPEL - St. Matthew's ...THE HUNGER GAMES ÒWe have so much TV coming at us all the time . . . . Are we becoming desensitized to the entire experience?Ó