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Types of Dystopian Control

Most dystopian works present a world in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through one or more of the following types of controls:

Corporate control

Bureaucratic control

Technological control

Philosophical/religious control

Please discuss which type of control you think is the most dominant in The Hunger Games and why?

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Who or what are the monster(s) in The Hunger Games? Choose one of the Monster Theory Theses and using an example from the story, explain how it applies to the book.

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Reality-TV

Do you watch any of the reality tv shows? If so, which ones. Why do you watch them? What do you think the popularity of reality tv shows as entertainment says about many people today?

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Five Lessons in Human Goodness from The Hunger Games

Which of the following do you think is the most important lesson learned about human goodness in The Hunger Games?

1. Killing is against human nature.

2. Wealth makes us less compassionate.

3. People are motivated to help others by empathy, not reason or numbers.

4. Power flows from social and emotional intelligence, not strength and viciousness.

5. Social connection trumps power and independence.

Jeremy Adam Smith (/author/jsmith), Editor, Greater Good Magazine | April 25, 2012