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Symbolism in The Hunger Games

Decent Essays

When reading The Hunger Games, one might not read and think deeply enough about something like symbolism. Looking into it, however, the characters in this novel by Suzanne Collins seem to be named after historical figures, words that are descriptive of their characters, and even plants. Realizing this really makes reading the novel much more interesting, because now the reader has something or someone to compare each of the main or supporting characters to. The Hunger Games makes relates many of the characters to historical figures. Many of the male figures seem to be named after Roman politicians, philosophers, and poets. Take Cinna, for instance. Cinna, in the novel, is Katniss’ and Peeta’s stylists for the Games. He does their makeup and creates their outfits to wear for the opening ceremony, for the interview with Caesar Flickerman, and for in the arena. His artistic skills relate to that of Gaius Helvius Cinna, a Roman poet. He also resembles to Lucius Cornelius Cinna, although more so later in the sequel, Catching Fire, because they are both defiant. Cinna, for turning the wedding dress President Snow wanted Katniss to dress in for her interview with Caesar Flickerman into a mockingjay, which turned into a symbol of rebellion, and Lucius Cornelius Cinna for staging a rebellion. What really ties it all together is that Cinna, Lucius Cornelius Cinna, and Gaius Helvius Cinna all met their demise by murder. Caesar Flickerman is also a prime example of relating to a

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