Partial Sample for The Hunger Games Assessment/ H 9th Literature
Student Name
2011
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Teacher Name
Class
Date
Sample Deliverables for Part 1:
Chapter 1:
“I never want to have kids,” I say.
“I might. If I didn’t live here,” says Gale.
“But you do,” I say, irritated.
“Forget it,” he snaps back.
Context summary of quote: Gale and Katniss are discussing having children, and considering the
living conditions in their world, it comes as no surprise that Katniss does not want kids. I think of
this as a self-sacrifice – as a way to benefit society by doing without.
Analysis: When I read this sentence I thought of the theme, “The good of the one or the Good of
the Many: How far should teens and citizens be expected to go for their country? How far would
YOU go to preserve your way of life or to make it better for your children? This brings to mind
the controversial topic of mandated birth control. Should the government be able to limit the
amount of children that its citizens have? Should a young woman be expected to give up what
could be the greatest joy in her life for the community?
Chapter 2:
“Prim, let go,” I say harshly, because this is upsetting me and I don’t want to cry. When they
televise the replay of the reapings tonight, everyone will make note of my tears, and I’ll be
marked as an easy target. A weakling. I will give no one that satisfaction. “Let’s go!” (22).
Context summary of quote: This is the quintessential example of Katniss’s heroism and loyalty.
Without considering that she may die, she offers to take Prim’s place in the reaping. In district 12
they haven’t had someone volunteer in “decades,” so this is an important event in the book.
Analysis: In this chapter, the author shows through Katniss’s offer how out-of-control reality
shows are in this setting. With this plot twist, the author of the book asks the audience to
consider what might happen if we allow reality shows to continue in the direction they are going.
Partial Sample for The Hunger Games Assessment/ H 9th Literature
2011
Will people start risking their lives for TV? Have they already? Also, the author establishes the
kind of character that Katniss is; she is courageous and loyal, and she will do anything for her
younger sister.
Chapter 3 Sticky Notes :
Chapter 3
(Collins 31).
Characterization through relationships and actions
Katniss’s Thoughts:
“I can’t win. Prim must know that in her heart. The competition will be
far beyond my abilities. Kids from wealthier districts, where winning
is a huge honor, who’ve been trained their whole lives for this.”
Katniss demonstrates the true characters of a hero in these lines. She
has just selflessly taken Prim’s place in the H. Games even though she
knows that she probably has no chance of winning. Katniss values
family and is a loyal and caring sister. She also has a mature ability to
ascertain how to act in the public eye. This foreshadows her ability to
be successful in the games.
Her first conflict involves dealing with the public even though she
would rather cry. Internal conflict is evident as Katniss battles with her
own emotions.
Chapter 3
(Collins 32).
Symbolism
The Mockinjay Pin:
“They let you wear one thing from your district in the arena. One thig
to remind you of home. Will you wear this?” She holds out the circular
gold pin…I see it’s a small bird in flight” (32).
In this scene, several gifts are offered to Katniss after she volunteers to
be a contestant in the Games. The gifts themselves represent the
superficial nature of society; people like her now that she is famous,
and so they give her “things” to show their support. Each item Katniss
receives also symbolizes something: Cookies/Abundance/Love.
Pin/district 12/Patriotism. Gifts/Love (that Katniss has not gotten – she
has been the “provider” for her family).
Her first conflict involves dealing with her place in society. Whereas
she has been hardly surviving, now she is being given gifts; she is
famous. This is a very difficult transition for anyone to make.
Partial Sample for The Hunger Games Assessment/ H 9th Literature
2011
Part 3: Socratic Seminar Questions:
1. Katniss volunteered to take Prim’s place in the Hunger Games. While this is certainly an
honorable and courageous action to take, do you think she made the best decision? What
about the survival of her family? What about the necessities of life, like food and shelter?
Was Katniss’s volunteering a good or bad thing?
2. In 2012, reality shows are a “realistic” part of life. Everybody watches them, and they are
becoming more and more popular. Along that note, authors often write about issues in
their particular time period. We can assume that Collins writes about the potential
dangers of reality shows, if taken too far. What influence will Collins’ book have on our
lives? Do you think people listen to messages in books, or do you think we have created a
destructive and unavoidable path?
3. If you had to develop your own reality show, how would you do it so that everyone
benefited? Devise your own way to design a reality setting. Where would it take place?
What would the basic rules be?