MTPL Good Reads discussion

What effect does being on camera ALL the time have on the Tributes? Does it influence how Katniss behaves in the Games?

Generally I think that we all behave better when we think someone is watching. However, in the case of the Games, I think that it gives license for some of the tributes to be really terrible and mean! Of course, it is a fight to the death.

I also think that using the Games for "entertainment" in the Districts makes it all the more heartbreaking. To have government officials proud of having teens kill each other is quite an indictment of the possibility of government.

The brutality of the tributes as they hunt and kill was very disturbing--reminded me of Lord of the Flies and other books that feature young people being killers. I was determined not to read the next two books and then found I was hooked at the end of The Hunger Games and needed to know what happened next.

It has to influence them because they have to constantly think about what their actions will look like on camera and how it will be interpreted. I believe it made it that much harder on the tributes.

I was also thinking that they all grew up watching the annual Hunger Games, so they are conditioned to act violently since that is what they have seen on the TV screens. Young people actually watched people their ages hunting and murdering their peers.

Even though they saw it so often, the Tributes still seemed surprised by all that went on during the Games. I think you're right, Jean, that they also played to the camera so that people (in the "audience") would send things to them, like food and medicine. So it makes sense for them to make sure they are appearing in a flattering way.

I agree that, at least Katniss, seems to evaluate how her actions will be seen by the audience and her sponsors, since they may be the key to her survival. It's interesting how she is almost able to communicate with Haymitch by what she does and how he responds or does not respond.

Kelli wrote: "I agree that, at least Katniss, seems to evaluate how her actions will be seen by the audience and her sponsors, since they may be the key to her survival. It's interesting how she is almost able ..."
I love that part of her relationship with Haymitch. Even though he is clearly damaged by his time in the Games, he is able to see what Katniss needs and is able to obtain it for her.