FICTION ANALYSIS
Mocking Jay
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).
- We've returned back to the story to find that the Capitol has obliterated District 12 and killed most of it's inhabitants. Some are now refugees living in a secret District 13, quietly plotting to overthrow the Capitol. They live a very regimented life, in secrecy, underground, in a world filled with the ever present threat of bombings that could end it all. Katniss has survived and so has Peeta, but Katniss is wit her family in 13 and Peeta is locked away in the Capitol as a prisoner and an example to rebels. Slowly, Katniss and other tribute survivors adjust and fall into their new lives, helping plan attacks against Capitol rule in other districts. Although the rebels believe Katniss is their best weapon and inspiration, she feels very reluctant to be the figure head of the entire rebellion. She doesn't know what to say, and quickly realizes she's acting, and not a real warrior.
She pushes for more dangerous ares to go to, untill she ends up behind enimy lines. She and her comrades decide to risk their lives to take the Capitol out at it's core. While soldiers fight in the streets, they battle in the sewers and make their way silently to the center. They and arriving soldiers take President Snow's government building, but not before her sister Prim is killed in an errant rebel bombing gone wrong. In the end, Katniss kills the new president, Coin, because she wanted to have a final hunger games that capitol people would fight in. We see that even after all is said and done, some people are no better than the "evil they seek to destroy. Katniss returns home and falls in love with Peeta, for real this time.
- We've returned back to the story to find that the Capitol has obliterated District 12 and killed most of it's inhabitants. Some are now refugees living in a secret District 13, quietly plotting to overthrow the Capitol. They live a very regimented life, in secrecy, underground, in a world filled with the ever present threat of bombings that could end it all. Katniss has survived and so has Peeta, but Katniss is wit her family in 13 and Peeta is locked away in the Capitol as a prisoner and an example to rebels. Slowly, Katniss and other tribute survivors adjust and fall into their new lives, helping plan attacks against Capitol rule in other districts. Although the rebels believe Katniss is their best weapon and inspiration, she feels very reluctant to be the figure head of the entire rebellion. She doesn't know what to say, and quickly realizes she's acting, and not a real warrior.
She pushes for more dangerous ares to go to, untill she ends up behind enimy lines. She and her comrades decide to risk their lives to take the Capitol out at it's core. While soldiers fight in the streets, they battle in the sewers and make their way silently to the center. They and arriving soldiers take President Snow's government building, but not before her sister Prim is killed in an errant rebel bombing gone wrong. In the end, Katniss kills the new president, Coin, because she wanted to have a final hunger games that capitol people would fight in. We see that even after all is said and done, some people are no better than the "evil they seek to destroy. Katniss returns home and falls in love with Peeta, for real this time.
2. Succinctly describe the theme of the novel. Avoid cliches.
- Although it's left for the very end, I feel a more prominent them would be to fight for what's right, not to fight for what you want for others. You may have the best intentions, but that doesn't mean you can control what happens if you aren't the best qualified or if you have questionable morals.
I see that Coin's decision to have another Hunger Games is a metaphor for that fact that people will never cease to misinterpret their actions as OK and other's as wrong even though they are the same. Just because you think you are the good guy, doesn't mean you can act like the bad guy, the other side believes the same thing, they're just as right, or wrong, as you are.
- Although it's left for the very end, I feel a more prominent them would be to fight for what's right, not to fight for what you want for others. You may have the best intentions, but that doesn't mean you can control what happens if you aren't the best qualified or if you have questionable morals.
I see that Coin's decision to have another Hunger Games is a metaphor for that fact that people will never cease to misinterpret their actions as OK and other's as wrong even though they are the same. Just because you think you are the good guy, doesn't mean you can act like the bad guy, the other side believes the same thing, they're just as right, or wrong, as you are.
3. Describe the author's tone. Include a minimum of three excerpts that illustrate your point(s).
- The tone throughout the book was a sense of danger around every corner, it was very exciting to read as the situations became more intense. The main character's life was put aside for thrills of loss and gain on a grand scale, constantly throwing the balance of win and lose around for the reader to watch. It was more thrilling and a new scene to explore, especially with more background on newer characters introduced last book.
- The tone throughout the book was a sense of danger around every corner, it was very exciting to read as the situations became more intense. The main character's life was put aside for thrills of loss and gain on a grand scale, constantly throwing the balance of win and lose around for the reader to watch. It was more thrilling and a new scene to explore, especially with more background on newer characters introduced last book.
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 150 - "I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster I'm not." This is foreshadowing to later on in the story, where Peeta becomes a different person, not by his own hand, but by his captors'.
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 often uses a technique taught to her by the doctors that took care of her when she was in a sickly state of health from her experiences in the arenas. She remembers herself from the simple to the complex, and makes some changes over time. These often reflect how she's feeling at the time and often gives insight into what she wants to do.
- (D) Peeta comes back from the Capitol a different person due to repeated brainwashing by venom put into his system. IT changes him, and helps him realize what a terrible person Katniss can be when he's not blinded by love. He treats her like she ought to be treated and they both learn from their experiences once they recover in the end.
- (I) Coin is utilized as a sort of pawn in the game Katniss plays to get her revenge. She realizes that the enemy isn't always who you think it is and that you should always consider your options.
- (I) Katniss actually learns from Snow, the man she was determined to kill, he showed her that not every battle is easy and not every war is won. Through what little he says, it changes her outlook on the situation and changes the course of history.
- Pg 150 - "I don't want them to change me in there. Turn me into some kind of monster I'm not." This is foreshadowing to later on in the story, where Peeta becomes a different person, not by his own hand, but by his captors'.
- Pg 151 - "Give my best to my mother when you make it back, will you?" Peeta remarks that he isn't strong enough to make it through the games, that he will fail. He remarks Katniss' abilities while still hoping for any positive outcome.
- Pg 156 (and others) - "Cornucopia" It's an average word. It means a plentiful and varied assortment of things, usually food. In thins, it refers to a large, often metal, cornucopia where, during the games, large amounts of supplies are stored for tributes to use. It represents bounty while also representing the death that may await you as you try and use it's advantage.
- Pg 162 - "Maybe it's better, if he's gone already." Katniss ponders whether it's better if Peeta dies at the hand of another, or herself. It shows that, while she cares some for others, she mostly cares about her own survival.
- Pg 193 - "All my bravado is gone." Katniss has been temporarily put in an awkward position and must take on mounting odds to live. She once had the upper hand, but now, she's been reduced and must re-muster her courage.
- Pg 194 - "For a while we hold each other's gaze...points to something above my head." Rue and Katniss exchange a mutual feeling of helplessness as they've both been running from their stronger enemies. Rue decides to help Katniss even though they have never really met. It shows that in desperate times, allies are indispensable.
- Pg 205 - "I think, at last, this is over, but it isn't." She realizes that, no matter how bad things get, they can always get worse. That there is no limit to pain and suffering.
- Pg 207 - "...Because for some reason Gale and Peeta do not coexist well together in my thoughts." WE see that Katniss has several internal conflicts that aren't even full understood yet. These two mean very different to her, they exist differently, they serve different purposes. They exemplify her fears in some ways; people in her life.
- Pg 207 - "I find I'm actually anticipating the moment with pleasure." Katniss gets a hold of a weapon, a weapon she's incredibly skilled with, putting her into an offensive position. This changes the rest of her time in the game.
- Pg 211- "She reminds me of Prim" Her sister. Rue's place in the games, being that she is small yet fast, makes her an excellent runner, an outlast-er, that she'll adapt. She reminds Katniss that these are still children, and that they can't always defend themselves.
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 often uses a technique taught to her by the doctors that took care of her when she was in a sickly state of health from her experiences in the arenas. She remembers herself from the simple to the complex, and makes some changes over time. These often reflect how she's feeling at the time and often gives insight into what she wants to do.
- (D) Peeta comes back from the Capitol a different person due to repeated brainwashing by venom put into his system. IT changes him, and helps him realize what a terrible person Katniss can be when he's not blinded by love. He treats her like she ought to be treated and they both learn from their experiences once they recover in the end.
- (I) Coin is utilized as a sort of pawn in the game Katniss plays to get her revenge. She realizes that the enemy isn't always who you think it is and that you should always consider your options.
- (I) Katniss actually learns from Snow, the man she was determined to kill, he showed her that not every battle is easy and not every war is won. Through what little he says, it changes her outlook on the situation and changes the course of history.
2. Does the author's syntax and/or diction change when s/he focuses on character? How? Example(s)?
- Sometimes, when we're in the head of Katniss, we see how she acts and perceives the world around her. It's about as far as the style goes, and it's very minimal, but it does give a different perspective to an otherwise great story. There isn't much to say, other than it can only be an enhancement to the character. Also, Peeta's inner mechanism would've been nice to hear about, but we solely follow Katniss.
- Sometimes, when we're in the head of Katniss, we see how she acts and perceives the world around her. It's about as far as the style goes, and it's very minimal, but it does give a different perspective to an otherwise great story. There isn't much to say, other than it can only be an enhancement to the character. Also, Peeta's inner mechanism would've been nice to hear about, but we solely follow Katniss.
3. Is the protagonist static or dynamic? Flat or round? Explain.
- Thankfully, in this book, the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is dynamic. She takes on many forms as she transforms the landscape in which she lives. Her mindset shifts as she manipulates the flow of events around the Capitol, dispensing a type of fury that only endangers herself and those around her, but climbing for the rewards. She doesn't get what she wants in the end, but she makes creative decisions throughout to determine whether others stand with her or against her. She has a habit of making those decisions for others, and this story is no different. More dramatized if you look at it from an action point of view. Thrust into the bombing of hundreds of people in the pursuit of persuasion. The heights to which she will go, and is willing to drag others along for, is dizzying. She's lost friends before, and for a cause for which she was pit. Now she brings them in to tackle a new enemy. The Capitol.
- Thankfully, in this book, the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, is dynamic. She takes on many forms as she transforms the landscape in which she lives. Her mindset shifts as she manipulates the flow of events around the Capitol, dispensing a type of fury that only endangers herself and those around her, but climbing for the rewards. She doesn't get what she wants in the end, but she makes creative decisions throughout to determine whether others stand with her or against her. She has a habit of making those decisions for others, and this story is no different. More dramatized if you look at it from an action point of view. Thrust into the bombing of hundreds of people in the pursuit of persuasion. The heights to which she will go, and is willing to drag others along for, is dizzying. She's lost friends before, and for a cause for which she was pit. Now she brings them in to tackle a new enemy. The Capitol.
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.
- After finishing the book [and series] I feel as though I had watched a person grow in a very crucial part of their life. This was how she, and the ones around her, became who they are today, and this is why we must tell the story. Because, without all this, we lose the 'why' of a struggle. Her generosity of life and loss around her is a story that, when shared, can bring us together and entice us so. I related many of the book's mannerisms to today's society, and it seems mush like a not so far off future. If the aim was to pass on the story of who we are today, I feel as though I knew my grandmother.
- After finishing the book [and series] I feel as though I had watched a person grow in a very crucial part of their life. This was how she, and the ones around her, became who they are today, and this is why we must tell the story. Because, without all this, we lose the 'why' of a struggle. Her generosity of life and loss around her is a story that, when shared, can bring us together and entice us so. I related many of the book's mannerisms to today's society, and it seems mush like a not so far off future. If the aim was to pass on the story of who we are today, I feel as though I knew my grandmother.
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