Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) (The Hunger Games)
Page 74 Review
A Stark Contrast: Examining Birthday Celebrations in Panem Through Katniss’s Eyes
Suzanne Collins masterfully uses the seemingly simple act of celebrating a birthday to highlight the deep chasm between the Capitol’s manufactured reality and the stark realities faced by the districts in The Hunger Games. The scene where Haymitch receives a birthday cake, as witnessed through Katniss’s perspective, is rife with symbolic meaning and serves as a powerful commentary on the Capitol’s propaganda.
The Unnaturalness of the Capitol’s Birthday
Katniss’s immediate reaction to the birthday celebration underscores its artificiality. She contrasts it with her family’s New Year’s tradition, a humble yet genuine celebration rooted in their own customs: “on New Year’s Day at suppertime, she pours everybody a big glass of buttermilk and we eat all the stack cake that we can hold.” This simple act represents authenticity and familial connection, a stark contrast to the Capitol’s ostentatious display.
The cake itself is a symbol of this disconnect: “So the cake in front of me, with its fancy frosted flowers, is all wrong. The candles smack of the Capitol.” The “fancy frosted flowers” represent the Capitol’s obsession with superficial beauty, while the “candles smack of the Capitol,” implying a pungent, almost unpleasant artificiality. This highlights how the Capitol’s version of joy is manufactured and devoid of genuine feeling.
The Insincerity of the Song
The birthday song further emphasizes the dissonance. The lyrics themselves are generic and impersonal: “Happy birthday / To someone special! / And we wish you many more! / Once a year / We give a cheer / To you, Hay-ay-ay-mitch! / Happy birthday!” However, Katniss’s internal commentary reveals its deeper significance. She notes, “And the song Tibby leads the Peacekeepers in, while common in 12, is never sung in my house because it would be as unsuitable as a birthday cake.” This seemingly innocuous song is, in fact, foreign and unwelcome in District 12, suggesting a deliberate attempt by the Capitol to impose its culture and erase the districts’ identities.
The Propaganda Machine in Action
The presence of Plutarch’s cameraman seals the scene’s indictment of the Capitol’s manipulative tactics. “The cameraman from Plutarch’s crew, sneaking his lens over Tibby’s shoulder to film my reaction, is the cherry on the birthday cake fiasco.” Katniss understands that her reaction is not meant for Haymitch, but for the cameras and, ultimately, the people of Panem. This reinforces the idea that the entire event is staged for propaganda purposes.
The intended message is clear: “Clearly, Plutarch wants to capture my delight so he can broadcast it all over Panem. Look how well the Capitol treats the tributes. How forgiving they are to their enemies. How superior they are to those district piglets in their stinkholes.” The Capitol seeks to portray itself as benevolent and generous, even to those who have opposed it. It wants to project an image of unity and harmony, masking the underlying oppression and inequality that define Panem.
Conclusion: A Critical Lens on Capitol’s Manufactured Reality
Through Katniss’s observant eyes, Collins exposes the falseness of the Capitol’s performance. The birthday celebration is not a genuine expression of goodwill but a calculated attempt to manipulate public opinion. It acts as a subtle but potent reminder of the Capitol’s control over the districts and its willingness to use propaganda to maintain its power. This seemingly small scene contributes significantly to the overarching theme of deception and resistance in The Hunger Games, forcing the reader to question the truth behind the Capitol’s carefully constructed facade and to recognize the genuine, albeit humble, humanity that persists in the districts.
Buy full ebook for only $15: https://www.lulu.com/shop/suzanne-collins/sunrise-on-the-reaping-a-hunger-games-novel-the-hunger-games/ebook/product-e7496ww.html?page=1&pageSize=4