Society's antagonism toward individuals and certain groups can be demonstrated through oppression, immoral regulations, and the misuse of law enforcement. A 2008 novel by Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games is set in a post-apocalyptic, dystopian world. A sixteen-year-old girl named Katniss and her family live in District 12, one of eleven other districts heavily controlled by the Capitol. herself in the annual Hunger Games; a Capitol-organized event between twenty-four teenagers, who are forced to fight to the death in an arena, while its broadcast on live television is portrayed as antagonistic towards many characters, particularly through its use. of a totalitarian political system and an unequal method of wealth distribution. However, one could argue that society itself is only an antagonist because it is a product of the Capitol's beliefs and laws that are enforced so forcefully, making it seem like society as a whole wicked. This manipulation and oppression puts Panem at the mercy of a Trojan horse sent by the Capitol. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essay The main characteristic of a totalitarian system is that the government is in total control of society, controlling all aspects of private and public life of every citizen, often by appealing to fear. A great example of using terror to control the citizens of Panem is present in the Hunger Games themselves. The Hunger Games are the ultimate demonstration of the Capitol's dominance and were designed to discourage the population from rebelling. When Katniss talks about the Hunger Games, she says it's "the Capitol's way of reminding us how completely we are at their mercy." In The Hunger Games, the citizens of Panem become pawns in a complex game of life and death. “It is in the interest of the Capitol to divide them among themselves,” because it creates fear and divides the people in the twelve districts, preventing them from uniting and starting a new rebellion. Thematic power is present in the form of the annual Games. The only reason the Hunger Games exist is to create fear and dominate a helpless community. Mass surveillance is the complex surveillance of an entire or substantial fraction of a population in order to monitor that group of people, used primarily in totalitarian societies. In Panem, surveillance is an integral part of everyone's life and the daily work of the peacekeepers. The peacekeepers are always listening to the citizens of District Twelve to see if there is any question of rebellion, in which case the person would be “publicly executed”. Citizens are monitored by the Jabberjays, and when Katniss was young, she metaphorically "scared her mother to death", by blurting out things about the Capitol that they could overhear. Even when Katniss entered the Capitol, "people started pointing fingers at her impatiently...they couldn't wait to see her die." » She couldn't escape the feeling that she "could be under surveillance." No one wants to be under constant surveillance, but there is strength in numbers and people are afraid. Society is the antagonist, but only because of the totalitarian government within Panem. Unequal distribution of wealth can cause divisions in society, and in The Hunger Games the theme of wealth distribution and its negative effects on society is present throughout the book. . Suzanne Collins kept thisrelevant in tackling real-world problems; the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. This also ties into the theme of social class, in that no rich people from the Capitol enter the Hunger Games draw. The Capitol then abuses its power by exploiting its districts, taking the crops and resources they produce and giving little in return. As a result, the Capitol continues to be wealthy and prosperous while the districts endure great poverty and hardship. The Capitol is a place of seemingly infinite wealth, especially compared to District 12. One of their meals, as Katniss notes, would take her "days of hunting and gathering...and even then, it would be a bad substitution”. Katniss, like the rest of District Twelve, lives in poverty and understands that "starvation is not an uncommon fate in District 12." In order for Katniss to keep her family alive, she must hunt illegally in the woods next to her house. The Capitol also heavily controls the distribution of wealth by favoring the winner of the Hunger Games, flooding their district with gifts and enough food to last a year. It comes down to the fact that the rich get richer and the poor stay in the mud. The poorest people must write their name on the tessera in exchange for a ration of grain, thus increasing their likelihood of being selected for the Games. It is virtually impossible for District Twelve to win the Games, as they do not have the necessary supplies to prepare and the majority of them are undernourished and too weak to fight. Wealth inequality is a big concern in Panem, and this entire society has been manipulated to fit what the narrow-minded Capitol considers a utopia. The inhabitants of Panem are governed by a brutal and repressive regime that will do anything to stay in power and pit collective societies against each other. Panem and its population are merely a product of the ungodly government system created by the Capitol. When neighborhoods have the opportunity to express themselves and form community, they thrive. An example of this is when Katniss received a package of bread from District Eleven during the Games. This happened just after their tribute, twelve-year-old Rue, was speared in the stomach and Katniss adorned her lifeless body with flowers. The bread offered to Katniss was a symbol of appreciation, and Katniss took it graciously, looking up to the sky so the cameras could film her face, saying "My thanks to the people of District Eleven." This is a perfect representation of how a strong community bond can bond across districts, even in the most unbearable of times. Even though he lived in a complete slum, an entire neighborhood put up what little money they had to send a loaf of bread to someone who treated Rue like a human being. While Katniss does this, a mockingjay sings Rue's song. Katniss's actions and the mockingjay's song symbolize the districts' ability to challenge the Capitol if they work together. Katniss did this to "show the Capitol that no matter what they do or force them to do, there is a part of every tribute they cannot own", and that Rue is not just another victim of 'a cruel game used to assert dominance. Here, Collins talks about thematic community. Katniss identifies the Capitol as the main antagonist of her society as her sense of community grows. The theme of rebellion is also implied here, as Katniss challenges the Capitol and challenges the idea that Rue's death was just entertainment for the public,.