[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It should come as no surprise that I'm always on the look out for dynamic, engaging, and strong female characters in pop culture
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the latest fictional female representation that has everyone talking is Katniss Everdeen,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the dynamic protagonist of the Hunger Games novels written by Suzanne Collins.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For those unfamiliar with the trilogy, the novels are set in a future dystopian North America,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a country called Panem.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The title of the book is a reference to an annual event organized by the oppressive government
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in which 24 children are selected at random to participate in a televised death match.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In the Hunger Games, as they’re called, the children are forced to brutally murder one another until only one is left standing.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For the purposes of this video, I’m going to set aside the fact that some of the analogies Collins is trying to draw
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,reality TV, professional sports, and war begin to fall apart when scrutinized closely.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I appreciate her attempt to critically comment on social issues,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just don’t buy that parents would passively give up their children to be slaughtered on national TV without a serious fight.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The death match as spectacle theme is really only believable if the players have been dehumanized or othered by society,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,either as convicts or slaves for example, it doesn’t work when it’s just randomly selected children from the general population.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That said, in this video I’m going to focus mainly on the portrayal of Katniss’ character in the first book and the movie adaptation.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I thought the first The Hunger Games novel, published in 2008 was a captivating, engaging and riveting read
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and really I enjoyed being immersed in the science fiction world that Collins creates.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie yet [point] fair warning.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The story follows Katniss, a 16 year old from a poor, coal mining community in district 12.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She struggles to provide for her family in the absence of her father and later to survive the brutality of the Hunger Games.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She is a tough, no-nonsense, responsible, young woman
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who uses her smarts to support her family in an oppressive, and seemingly hopeless situation.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss is not reduced to her gender,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,meaning her behaviours and actions aren’t attributed to her being a woman, she is not sexualized and she is not objectified in the book.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Her real world concerns and priorities of family and survival are put in sharp contrast
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the superficial values imposed on her by the Capitol government as she is being groomed for the Hunger Games media spectacle.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These preparation scenes provide a critique of the beauty industry and also of the decadence of the wealthy
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in contrast to poor and working class districts who can barely afford enough food to feed their families.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss demonstrates empathy and compassion for those around her including her friends, family,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those oppressed and underprivileged in Panem.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Later in the arena she also builds a trusting and supportive relationship with Rue, the young tribute from district 11.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Later, when Rue is tragically killed, Katniss treats her death with honor and respect.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The romance elements of the first book were only slightly grating,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,much of it was Katniss’ uncertainty about Peeta’s feelings for her
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and her confusion about whether he was being genuine or just acting.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,. It was clear Collins was setting up a love triangle between Peeta, Katniss and Gale ala Edward, Bella and Jacob.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is nothing new in novels targeted at girls and women and I could look past the cliché of it
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since it wasn't central to the plot in the first book.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss' naivety when it came to dating and relationships make sense given her age and her difficult economic, social and family life,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,, her naivety and confusion is an understandable part of her character's growth,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but only in the first part of the trilogy, unfortunately the love triangle takes a much more prominent role in books 2 and 3.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s been some understandable criticism of the rather extreme levels of violence in the novel,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially considering it’s marketed to young adults.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think this is a fair point however the way Katniss perceives and uses violence makes her somewhat unique.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Especially in comparison to other so called “strong female characters”
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose strength often stems from their ability and willingness to use violence.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although, Katniss does possess the hunting and tracking skills to survive in the harsh terrain of the arena,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she remains troubled and disturbed at the idea of personally murdering another human
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,being even within the context of the death match.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Admirably she can’t bring herself to wish death on her opponents or even her enemies.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Knowing full well that if they remain alive she can never return home.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These moments illustrate that Katniss hasn’t become completely desensitized to violence and suffering
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though she’s forced to participate in a horrifically violent system.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That said, I do wish Collins was more consistent in writing Katniss’ responses to death.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When Rue is killed the event is written as deeply traumatic and emotional for Katniss.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss is not made to run off seeking revenge and is instead allowed to mourn in a really human way.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We follow along as she struggles through the process of grief.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She appropriately feels shock, pain, guilt and temporary depression.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To Collins’ credit, she writes this emotional process as a testament to Katniss’ strength as opposed to a weakness.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yet when Foxface is accidently yet tragically killed via poisonous berries, Katniss doesn’t even bat an eye.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She shows no emotional reaction whatsoever despite the fact that this young tribute from district 5, hasn’t hurt anyone during the games.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although, Katniss doesn’t have a personal relationship with Foxface, her death
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,should still be represented as tragic and upsetting.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It should go without saying that in reality, violence is traumatic and it has very real and lasting consequences for everybody involved.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I’m not arguing for stories to be completely free of violence,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I am arguing for violence to be portrayed consistently and to reflect its emotional and physical repercussions.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a media culture that sensationalizes and glamorizes violence, it’s refreshing to see a character like Katniss,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,react to violence in a more honest and genuine way, at least most of the time.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I appreciate that Collins doesn’t have Katniss emerge from the arena unscathed.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She experiences serious physical and emotional consequences and by the end of the games,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,her sense of safety and trust have been shattered.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When the game makers announce that there can only be one victor after all Peeta throws his knife away in protest
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and Katniss’ automatically assumes that he’s about to attack her, so she loads her bow and aims an arrow at his heart.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Later when the Capitol doctors are operating on Peeta, Katniss has a panic attack, and believes for a moment she’s back in the arena.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She imagines the medical staff as a pack of muttations attacking her friend.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These examples are evidence of the delusion and paranoia that Katniss understandably suffers
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a result of the extreme trauma she experienced during the Hunger Games.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These scenes help to separate her from many of the so called strong female characters in popular culture who just replicate
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the stoic, unemotional, unaffected, macho archetype where somehow they
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go through extreme violence and trauma with no visible effect at all.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's refreshing that Katniss is allowed to go through a period of post traumatic stress
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that the emotional experience ultimately works to make her a stronger character, rather than a weaker one.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some people have been asking is Katniss then a feminist character?
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because of her compassion, empathy, cunning, resourcefulness and intelligence,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think she embodies many feminist values, at least over the course of the first book.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my next video I'll talk about the movie in comparison to the book,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially in relation to its portrayal of gender and also violence.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whenever a novel is turned into a film, there are going to be some major differences,
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'll discuss which of those changes were successful and which were not.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So be sure to check it out.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Hunger Games fan art I used in this video was made by these amazing illustrators.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you liked this video and want to see more in depth analysis of female characters in popular culture
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,please support me and my work by donating today.
Dialogue: 0,9:59:59.99,9:59:59.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can visit feministfrequency.com/donate