Let the Games Begin

Last night, all of Panem crowded around their television sets to witness the most controversial victory in the history of the Hunger Games. The Games, comprised of one male and one female tribute from each of the twelve Districts, serves to dishearten rebellion of the Capitol and to remind citizens of their powerlessness. A battle to the death until only one remains, tributes are thrown into a carefully constructed arena, where their physical ability, mental strength, and survival skills are at the mercy of the Gamemakers.

The ultimate victor, having survived the horrors of the arena, is rewarded heavily with a year’s supply of food for their District as well as a residence in the Victor’s Village, making them ineligible to be entered into the Games again. President Snow elaborates on the purpose of a sole victor, claiming that it instills 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.” For the first time in the history of the Hunger Games, thanks to the spark between Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark of District 12, the Gamemakers are now at the mercy of their victors.

Beginning in its usual manner, tributes of the 74th annual Hunger Games were lifted into the arena where a cornucopia of useful supplies awaited them. Rather than confronting her ruthless competitors, Katniss grabbed a backpack and disappeared into the jungle. After snaring a rabbit and filling her canteen, the District 12 tribute tied herself into a tall tree to rest. Within the first eight hours, 13 of the 24 tributes had been killed.

Escaping the career alliance on more than one occasion, “the girl on fire” single handedly outsmarted each of her opponents, while simultaneously making a compassionate alliance with the Rue, the young tribute from District 11. Having captured all of Panem’s undying adoration, Katniss Everdeen gained quite the following as she fought her way through dehydration, poisonous berries, fireballs, and tracker jacker stings. With a new rule in place stating that there could be two victors from the same District, the flame between her and Peeta was rekindled and the two tributes found themselves atop the cornucopia with Cato, their last remaining adversary. Shooting him with her bow, Katniss eliminated Cato’s chances at victory.

The following morning, the Gamemakers announced that the previous rule stating the possibility of two victors had been revoked. Insisting that one of them must die because they needed a victor, Peeta instructed Katniss to kill him. With a hand full of Nightlock, Katniss replied, “Why should they?” Rather than abide by the rules of the Games, Katniss and Peeta constructed a defiant, bold, and selfless act, dismissing the rules of the Games completely. Deciding to sacrifice their own lives, leaving the Gamemakers without the option of a winner, the tributes of District 12 counted to three and put the berries to their mouths. With the remaining tributes dead and no reigning victor, the Gamemakers knew that all hope among Districts would be lost, dismantling the purpose of the Games altogether. Therefore, before the tributes were able to fulfill their desperate plan, the Gamemakers announced Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark as victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games.

As the world falls back into its normal post-Game routine one has to wonder whether order will remain, or if rebellion will rise among Districts after this year’s revolutionary broadcast. While it may not be the very last, the 74th annual Hunger Games is sure to be one that Panem will never forget.