TRANSCRIPT 28772920:

Question:
Discuss the mechanisms used to assist with political oppression in the Hunger Games.
SLIDE 4:
*Video: Hope scene*
President Snow: Seneca. Why do you think we have a winner?
Seneca: What do you mean?
President Snow: I mean. Why do we have a winner? Hope.
Seneca: Hope?
President Snow: Hope. It is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective. A lot of hope is
dangerous. A spark is fine, as long as it's contained.
Seneca: So?
President Snow: So. Contain it.
SLIDE 7:
*Soundtrack: National Anthem of Panem.*
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a novel that would bring many chills down the spine. Set in
a futuristic society called Panem, like most dystopian novels; the Government is corrupted and is a
totalitarian dictatorship mainly based on supreme authority. Yet gradually, it becomes more evident
that the Game doesnt just quench the thirst for violence that both President Snow and the Capitol has.
President Snow is the dictator of Panem and is infamously known for his sadistic and megalomaniac
nature. Due to his power hungry persona, his only wish is to maintain his elite position of authority
and power. Thus, he subdues anyone that could pose as a threat towards his leadership, an example
would be the rebellion that caused district thirteen to fall and supposedly vanish. Therefore, numerous
mechanisms are emplaced so that President Snow can sustain his exclusive position.
The main form of control used by both President Snow and the Capitol would be Peacekeepers. The
main role of a Peacekeeper is to uphold the law that has been established by the flawed government,
and punishing those who break the law. Yet knowing that the government is with many cracks, if the
Peacekeeper are their main form of control, wouldnt the Peacekeeper act as their pawns and do all
the Capitols bad deeds? Well of course they would. Peacekeepers are more infamously known to use
violence when subduing the citizens that arent following the law, and thus their name is ironic.
Peacekeepers are usually associated with people spreading peace and harmony, yet these ones do the
complete opposite. The only reason why this name is used is mainly because citizens would then
believe that the Peacekeeper are doing justice and good service to the community.
Another form of political oppression would be the use of Mutant Tracker Jackers. These Tracker
Jackers have been installed by the Capitol around every district to prevent anyone from leaving their

designated place. These large wasps are a symbol of the Capitols desire to protect their noble
position, and they only came into effect after the first rebellion.
The last and most important mechanism used to support political oppression is the Hunger Games. An
explanation of the Game can be found in the quote extracted from Chapter 9, The rules of the Hunger
Games are simple. In punishment for the uprising, each of twelve districts must provide one girl and
one boy, called tributes to participate. The twenty-four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor
arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland. Over a period of several
weeks the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins. The main purpose of
the Hunger Games was to prevent other district from joining forces to rebel against the Government.
Therefore, it is evident that both President Snow and the Capitol are willing to take extreme measures
in order to maintain their elite position.