FICTION ANALYSIS
Catching Fire
Suzanne Collins
1. Briefly summarize the plot of the novel you read according to the elements of plot you've learned in past courses (exposition, inciting incident, etc.). Explain how the narrative fulfills the author's purpose (based on your well-informed interpretation of same).
- The story picks up where The Hunger Games left off; Katniss and Peeta have returned from their battle in the arena to face their home back in District 12, which hasn't changed since they left for their trials. They are now victors and must act like it, they're treated much better than the rest of the district's people; getting to live in modern houses, no more worries about money, and the ability to ensure their families are taken care of. Unfortunately, the next Hunger Games, the 75th annual, has a twist in store for them. They are put back into the arena again to face past victors, all who have won past games.
They battle new enemies, who've all been there before, and face new dangers, from Gamemakers out to force them to fight, or kill them themselves. They make new allies and new enemies in interesting ways. And fight to the death once more, almost bringing them to death again. Their allies devise new strategies and use old tricks to beat the other tributes and survive until their last ditch plan goes wrong.
In the effort to electrocute the final remaining hostile tributes, things go wrong, some are attacked or killed, and they all think the plan is falling apart. However, due to Katniss' quick thinking and immaculate shooting skill, she electrocutes the force field around them, causing the entire arena to malfunction. This allows her apparent "rescue party" to pick up her, and most of her team, to fly them to a safer location. They are the last hope for the rebellion, but Peeta is gone and, worst of all, so is District 12.
They battle new enemies, who've all been there before, and face new dangers, from Gamemakers out to force them to fight, or kill them themselves. They make new allies and new enemies in interesting ways. And fight to the death once more, almost bringing them to death again. Their allies devise new strategies and use old tricks to beat the other tributes and survive until their last ditch plan goes wrong.
In the effort to electrocute the final remaining hostile tributes, things go wrong, some are attacked or killed, and they all think the plan is falling apart. However, due to Katniss' quick thinking and immaculate shooting skill, she electrocutes the force field around them, causing the entire arena to malfunction. This allows her apparent "rescue party" to pick up her, and most of her team, to fly them to a safer location. They are the last hope for the rebellion, but Peeta is gone and, worst of all, so is District 12.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
- The theme of the novel is about the same this time around. I still believe that the novel describes suffering provides entertainment, inequality between people, and the importance of appearances in great depth. I'm not going to reinvent the wheel very much this time around, so, if you want to see the original, check here for a good idea.
To be brief, it hasn't changed much from before, it still feels like the same feelings are given off. I do, however, feel that more compassion was given in this part of the narrative. I think that the characters were much more emotional this time around and pulled out all the stops to show that, no matter how fake. I appreciated the small changes, but it still remained very similar in values.
- The theme of the novel is about the same this time around. I still believe that the novel describes suffering provides entertainment, inequality between people, and the importance of appearances in great depth. I'm not going to reinvent the wheel very much this time around, so, if you want to see the original, check here for a good idea.
To be brief, it hasn't changed much from before, it still feels like the same feelings are given off. I do, however, feel that more compassion was given in this part of the narrative. I think that the characters were much more emotional this time around and pulled out all the stops to show that, no matter how fake. I appreciated the small changes, but it still remained very similar in values.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
- In this book, I think the tone was explained in a newer way, and it wasn't as displayed the same way as it was last time. I feel, because this is a very "close to the original" sequel, it wasn't meant to introduce, it was meant to expound on the topic and show just how far it had gotten, especially in the center of the evil, The Capitol. It gave readers an inside look at how they live in their posh comfortable lives, and how, no matter what, people are always ready and willing to put others down. "There's no welcoming committee on the platform, just a squad of eight Peacekeepers who direct us into the back of an armored truck. Effie sniffs as the door clanks behind us. "Really, you'd think we were all criminals," she says." (Pg. 447) Even with their sensational victor status, they can be treated as low as a criminals, just because they can.
It makes a fool of the people, honestly, who could be so "honored" to ride in such a vehicle, and for the measly cost of their disagreement. "A pair of Peacekeepers dragging the old man who whistled to the top of the steps. Forcing him to his knees before the crowd. An putting a bullet through his head." (Pg. 451) It's [the little] things like this that reinforce what we are exposed to all along. That the regime has ways of dealing with people, and they are swift and decisive.
- In this book, I think the tone was explained in a newer way, and it wasn't as displayed the same way as it was last time. I feel, because this is a very "close to the original" sequel, it wasn't meant to introduce, it was meant to expound on the topic and show just how far it had gotten, especially in the center of the evil, The Capitol. It gave readers an inside look at how they live in their posh comfortable lives, and how, no matter what, people are always ready and willing to put others down. "There's no welcoming committee on the platform, just a squad of eight Peacekeepers who direct us into the back of an armored truck. Effie sniffs as the door clanks behind us. "Really, you'd think we were all criminals," she says." (Pg. 447) Even with their sensational victor status, they can be treated as low as a criminals, just because they can.
It makes a fool of the people, honestly, who could be so "honored" to ride in such a vehicle, and for the measly cost of their disagreement. "A pair of Peacekeepers dragging the old man who whistled to the top of the steps. Forcing him to his knees before the crowd. An putting a bullet through his head." (Pg. 451) It's [the little] things like this that reinforce what we are exposed to all along. That the regime has ways of dealing with people, and they are swift and decisive.
4. Describe a minimum of five literary elements/techniques you observed that strengthened your understanding of the author's purpose, the text's theme and/or your sense of the tone. For each, please include textual support to help illustrate the point for your readers. (Please include edition and page numbers for easy reference.)*
- Pg 392 - "If it were up to me, I would try to forget the Hunger Games entirely. Never speak of them. Pretend they were nothing but a bad dream." Katniss reflects on the games many months after. She'll soon be on a tour in all the districts to thank them for their participation. It reminds her of what she has done in the name of sport.
- Pg 402 - "Haymitch is still dead to the world" Their mentor has been forgot by the people, and so he forgets them by drinking his way though life. He can be of use, even helpful, but he often doesn't care to.
- Pg 403 - "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Katniss, although honest, is still very confused as to what she wants, and what she needs. She's put into difficult situations often, not always at the hands of others, though.
- Pg 406 - "I'm staring into the snakelike eyes of President Snow." Obvious villain, right? He's quite the character in the story, though he on;y shows up occasionally, and knows how to create a mood. He's feared by most because he's the reason everything is the way it is. Katniss is right to be fearful, and hateful, he orchestrates all of the conflict in her simple life.
- Pg 406 - "In my mind, President Snow should be viewed in front of marble pillars hung with over-sized flags." Although, right after, he's painted into his currently plain environment, this is eluding to him being a Hitler-like character that symbolizes the evil. It puts a face, and a voice, to all the evil you can think, which is convenient.
- Pg 392 - "If it were up to me, I would try to forget the Hunger Games entirely. Never speak of them. Pretend they were nothing but a bad dream." Katniss reflects on the games many months after. She'll soon be on a tour in all the districts to thank them for their participation. It reminds her of what she has done in the name of sport.
- Pg 402 - "Haymitch is still dead to the world" Their mentor has been forgot by the people, and so he forgets them by drinking his way though life. He can be of use, even helpful, but he often doesn't care to.
- Pg 403 - "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Katniss, although honest, is still very confused as to what she wants, and what she needs. She's put into difficult situations often, not always at the hands of others, though.
- Pg 406 - "I'm staring into the snakelike eyes of President Snow." Obvious villain, right? He's quite the character in the story, though he on;y shows up occasionally, and knows how to create a mood. He's feared by most because he's the reason everything is the way it is. Katniss is right to be fearful, and hateful, he orchestrates all of the conflict in her simple life.
- Pg 406 - "In my mind, President Snow should be viewed in front of marble pillars hung with over-sized flags." Although, right after, he's painted into his currently plain environment, this is eluding to him being a Hitler-like character that symbolizes the evil. It puts a face, and a voice, to all the evil you can think, which is convenient.
CHARACTERIZATION
1. Describe two examples of direct characterization and two examples of indirect characterization. Why does the author use both approaches, and to what end (i.e., what is your lasting impression of the character as a result)?
- (D) Katniss may not always understand herself, or often others, but she's very clear and concise about what she's thinking. Not always why, but always what.- (D) Peeta doesn't do very much different from when he first met Katniss. He was, ad is, always her ally, no matter what she does to him. You could say it's blinding love, but he chooses the person he knows inside, and ignores the outside that makes mistakes. What ever she's going through, he believes he can help solve it, not not let her down, or slow her down.
- (I) Katniss likes to analyze, but she keeps it all to herself. She never brings up the fact that she does it all the time, and that she may over-analyze things, thus causing her to make decisions that otherwise could have gone over better.
- (I) Haymitch cares for his new victors, he really does. Unfortunately, life has disappointed him after his rise, and he's fallen from eye, and let himself fall as well. It any be a lack of motivation, but he's abandon himself so that others don't have to do it.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
- You see it when Katniss talks/thinks about Peeta the most. It's slight tone change, and it's not always the same. Depending on who's in the power position, and it changes surprisingly often, she thinks of him differently. As she always assumes the worst, it makes it difficult to rely on people, no matter the situation. It's a desire to succeed with an expectation of failure. It isn't always bad, and it isn't always unwarranted. Katniss just has some trouble around people, driven by her past notions and her current practices. She can accept change, but very slowly. Like I mentioned before: "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Which continues: "I might as well admit there's some of that, too. Only it has too much competition to ever win out...He looks strong and healthy, so different from the sick, starving boy I knew in the arena, and you can barely even notice his limp now." (Pg 403) Though thoughtful, there's no mistaking the size-up and the determination if he's worth it. If they weren't forced to be the "star crossed lovers", would they have remained separate? One can only assume so.
- You see it when Katniss talks/thinks about Peeta the most. It's slight tone change, and it's not always the same. Depending on who's in the power position, and it changes surprisingly often, she thinks of him differently. As she always assumes the worst, it makes it difficult to rely on people, no matter the situation. It's a desire to succeed with an expectation of failure. It isn't always bad, and it isn't always unwarranted. Katniss just has some trouble around people, driven by her past notions and her current practices. She can accept change, but very slowly. Like I mentioned before: "Just the sound of his voice twists my stomach into a knot of unpleasant emotions like guilt, sadness, and fear. And longing." Which continues: "I might as well admit there's some of that, too. Only it has too much competition to ever win out...He looks strong and healthy, so different from the sick, starving boy I knew in the arena, and you can barely even notice his limp now." (Pg 403) Though thoughtful, there's no mistaking the size-up and the determination if he's worth it. If they weren't forced to be the "star crossed lovers", would they have remained separate? One can only assume so.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
- I would like to think that Katniss is more evolutionary this time around. Especially in her social ability, she's engaging much more, though it is still very tactically inclined. There's always a plan to kill everyone at any time, so to speak, and she entertains the fact that she's the only reason things are the way they are. She takes no credit, but she realizes that she's the catalyst for many of the events that take place across the districts. She accepts more responsibility as time goes on, and learns to live with, though not well, her choices.
- I would like to think that Katniss is more evolutionary this time around. Especially in her social ability, she's engaging much more, though it is still very tactically inclined. There's always a plan to kill everyone at any time, so to speak, and she entertains the fact that she's the only reason things are the way they are. She takes no credit, but she realizes that she's the catalyst for many of the events that take place across the districts. She accepts more responsibility as time goes on, and learns to live with, though not well, her choices.
4. After reading the book did you come away feeling like you'd met a person or read a character? Analyze one textual example that illustrates your reaction.
- I feel like I met her again for the continuation of her life and the battles that she fights. She's grown, and that can engage different parts of your expectations of her, as well as change some old ideas of what she would or wouldn't do. It's different, and that's good. She adapted to fit into her environment, and, although it was very familiar, she refused to assume and took matters into her own hands. She may let you guide her, but she'll drink when she wants to.
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