written by Merry O’Brien
Can those of us who aspire to live simply and thread lightly learn anything from Hollywood these days?
The Hunger Games, a trilogy turned movie franchise, is set in the post-apocalyptic country Panem. The Capitol of the country takes its wealth from the sweat and blood of its 12 enslaved districts that produce goods such as coal, wheat, and electronics while living in dire poverty and never enjoying the fruit of their labors. The Capitol residents, in contrast, live in a bubble of plenty, surrounded by fences to keep out the workers of their world. They are addicted to reality TV, which numbs their senses to the kids who toil to produce their fancy hats and instant access to elaborate meals.
After watching any good action movie, many kids, tweens, teens, and even adults who have viewed the movie go home wanting more and desiring to have some sort of connection with the movie. You can hear the kids talking in the theatre bathroom after the show excitedly about the costumes and fight scenes. Search for “Hunger Games,” and you’ll find tons of articles touting ways to echo what viewers have seen on screen. “Capitol Couture” teaches you to apply thick, white cake makeup, like Effie, a Hunger Games Capitol resident, or the real life upper class did years ago. One how-to article gushes “you’ll earn the nickname Effie!” Eyes sparkle with mica, flimsy synthetic fabrics shine in gaudy Jerseylicious splendor, and spiky heels help us point our best breasts forward.
advertisement for "Capitol Colors," a nail polish by China Glaze
I search for the ironic tone in these articles and come up empty. Where is the awareness? Do viewers know that, throughout centuries, white makeup was used to convey the message, “I did not work for my food. No sun from the field has touched my face. I have slaves for that.” How many of us are aware that the term “redneck” originally referred to sunburned farmers in the field and union workers in the mines, who wore red bandannas and proudly fought for safety standards and fair pay?
It is no mistake that author Suzanne Collins contrasted powdery faces to coal-smudged ones. This is a tale of America – past, present, and future. We have struggled courageously against slavery to the Company Store, lifted ourselves out of the Great Depression, fought against racist Nazis, expanded the vote to all, moved backwards at times, and struggled forwards again. There is a constant push-pull of progress. The fate of our country lies always in our hands and in the strength of our American values.
Although the message might be lost on some, there is no subtly here. The Hunger Games is not a futuristic “what is to come” tale; it is a portrayal of the worst elements of our current reality. Indeed, we may be grotesque to the children in Africa who mine the raw coltan needed for our iphones or the Chinese youth who work 70 hour weeks in work camps to assemble them.
I don’t expect the movie to generate a trend towards simplicity and self-reliance in every viewer. After all, the consumer engine drives on and is fueled by wealth and influence beyond measure. What I did expect, however, was the typical commercialization and therefore trivialization of the theme. I expected, and strangely did not find, a groundswell of interest in applying olive-toned, woodsy makeup and shopping for Appalachian inspired cotton frocks, like the hand-me-down that Katniss wears at the Reaping. Even on Etsy, the awesome go-to for the cottage industry–and real-world Hob–I found cheap, painted movie logo t-shirts by the hundreds where I expected beautifully curated favorite lists full of coal-miner’s daughter inspired, depression-era clothing and handmade home goods.
Katniss and Prim, reaping day
If you are a fan of the series like me, let’s use this opportunity to bring awareness to the social implications of the simple living movement and remind ourselves why we strive to tread lightly.
• Take the Interactive Quiz: “How Many Slaves Work for You?” and learn how to reduce your number.
• Read “Why Katniss is a Feminist Character: And It’s Not Because She Wields a Bow and Beats Boys Up,” then join the conversation in the comments.
• Appreciate Katniss’ self-reliant, Appalachian way of life: learn to identify berries, cook dandelion stew, and prepare wild rabbit.
Thank you for blogging about this, I could not agree with you more on all of the points you have made. I had the exact same thoughts as I was reading (and enjoying) all three books in the series. I am yet to see the movie and I look forward to it but I also agree that a large majority of the message may well be lost and that, to me, is such a shame.
Merry,
This is day two of my twice a month chemo infusion (3 days every two weeks). Your thoughtful article made it better. Keep up the good work. Regards to Ms. T and her future husband.
Best wishes
Gerry
Hi Teresa,
I sure hope you read the books as they are extremely well done (the first one being the best of course).
I am a retired teacher-librarian and read and reviewed the first book when I was still in a school system. These books provided a wonderful opportunity to spark deep and thoughtful conversations amongst learners of all ages regarding the state of our current society and how we, as individuals, can affect change in today’s world. Students are able to examine the response of our society to this story and debate the impact of the responses seen in advertising, social media etc. Your blog entry is a great example of deep thinking sparked by this powerful story!
Thanks
Cathy
Loved the “how many slaves work for you” link. That’s a gem.
Just so yall know that I’m not a holier-than-thou type of writer, I’ll admit that my “how many slaves” result was about 20 or so! It was really shocking! If anyone else is brave enough to share your results, please do! --Merry
I was so glad to read your thoughts on the Hunger Games! I keep seeing reviews that describe the book as a story of ” dystopian future”. I kept looking for a review that recognized it as an allegory of our times, and this is the first I have seen! To me, the book describes a frightening reality that already exists to some extent, where the Capitol represents the wealthy consumer nations, and the districts represent the developing nations that we rape for cheap resources and labor. Our consumption patterns have consequences that are largely hidden from us- half way around the world- and often those consequences include the death of children, albeit not in an entertainment arena, but just as unjustly. They are victims of unregulated industrialization, dying from polluted water and ruined family farms or poor factory caused by factory labor.
I am very interested in simplifying my life to minimize my consumption, both for my well being, and for the well being of the world’s citizens. My family and I are currently planning a live-on sailboat travel adventure and I found your blog in my preparation research. Hope to meet you out on the ocean one day!