[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.80,0:00:06.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It should come as no surprise that I'm always on the look out for
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.46,0:00:10.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dynamic, engaging, and strong female characters in pop culture
Dialogue: 0,0:00:10.05,0:00:14.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the latest fictional female representation that has everyone talking is Katniss Everdeen,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:14.52,0:00:18.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the dynamic protagonist of the Hunger Games novels written by Suzanne Collins.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:18.89,0:00:23.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For those unfamiliar with the trilogy, the novels are set in a future dystopian North America,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.47,0:00:25.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a country called Panem.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:25.07,0:00:29.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The title of the book is a reference to an annual event organized by the oppressive government
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.40,0:00:34.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in which 24 children are selected at random to participate in a televised death match.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:34.28,0:00:40.16,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: 0,0:00:40.16,0:00:45.42,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: 0,0:00:45.42,0:00:51.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to reality TV, professional sports, and war begin to fall apart when scrutinized closely.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.22,0:00:54.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I appreciate her attempt to critically comment on social issues,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.47,0:00:57.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I just don’t buy that parents would passively give up their children
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.56,0:01:00.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to be slaughtered on national TV without a serious fight.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:00.84,0:01:03.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The death match as spectacle theme is really only believable
Dialogue: 0,0:01:03.52,0:01:06.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when the players have been dehumanized or othered by society,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.57,0:01:09.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,either as convicts or slaves for example,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.32,0:01:13.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it doesn’t work when it’s just randomly selected children from the general population.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.49,0:01:16.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That said, in this video I’m going to focus mainly on the
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.66,0:01:20.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,portrayal of Katniss’ character in the first book and the movie adaptation.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.78,0:01:26.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I thought the first The Hunger Games novel, published in 2008 was a captivating, engaging and riveting read
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.11,0:01:30.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I really enjoyed being immersed in the science fiction world that Collins creates.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:30.22,0:01:35.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you haven’t read the book or seen the movie yet [spoilers] fair warning.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.10,0:01:40.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The story follows Katniss, a 16 year old from a poor, coal mining community in district 12.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.48,0:01:44.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She struggles to provide for her family in the absence of her father
Dialogue: 0,0:01:44.12,0:01:46.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and later to survive the brutality of the Hunger Games.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.80,0:01:50.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She is a tough, no-nonsense, responsible, young woman
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.48,0:01:55.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,who uses her smarts to support her family in an oppressive, and seemingly hopeless situation.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.70,0:01:57.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss is not reduced to her gender,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:57.65,0:02:01.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,meaning her behaviours and actions aren’t attributed to her being a woman,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:01.36,0:02:04.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she is not sexualized and she is not objectified in the book.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:04.66,0:02:09.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Her real world concerns and priorities of family and survival are put in sharp contrast
Dialogue: 0,0:02:09.70,0:02:13.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to the superficial values imposed on her by the Capitol government
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.30,0:02:16.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as she is being groomed for the Hunger Games media spectacle.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:16.60,0:02:21.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These preparation scenes provide a critique of the beauty industry and also of the decadence of the wealthy
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.72,0:02:27.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in contrast to poor and working class districts who can barely afford enough food to feed their families.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.06,0:02:32.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss demonstrates empathy and compassion for those around her including her friends, family,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.07,0:02:35.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and those oppressed and underprivileged in Panem.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:35.03,0:02:40.41,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: 0,0:02:40.41,0:02:45.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Later, when Rue is tragically killed, Katniss treats her death with honor and respect.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.50,0:02:48.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The romance elements of the first book were only slightly grating,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.71,0:02:52.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,much of it was Katniss’ uncertainty about Peeta’s feelings for her
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.21,0:02:55.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and her confusion about whether he was being genuine or just acting.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:55.80,0:03:02.68,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: 0,0:03:02.68,0:03:07.52,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: 0,0:03:07.52,0:03:10.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,since it wasn't central to the plot in the first book.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.15,0:03:13.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss' naivety when it came to dating and relationships make sense
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.72,0:03:17.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,given her age and her difficult economic, social and family life,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.06,0:03:20.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,her naivety and confusion is an understandable part of her character's growth,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.94,0:03:27.69,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: 0,0:03:27.69,0:03:32.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s been some understandable criticism of the rather extreme levels of violence in the novel,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.40,0:03:34.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially considering it’s marketed to young adults.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.99,0:03:40.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think this is a fair point however the way Katniss perceives and uses violence makes her somewhat unique.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:40.62,0:03:44.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Especially in comparison to other so called “strong female characters”
Dialogue: 0,0:03:44.54,0:03:48.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whose strength often stems from their ability and willingness to use violence.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.96,0:03:53.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although, Katniss does possess the hunting and tracking skills to survive in the harsh terrain of the arena,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.78,0:03:58.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,she remains troubled and disturbed at the idea of personally murdering another human being
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.06,0:04:00.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even within the context of the death match.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:00.98,0:04:05.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Admirably she can’t bring herself to wish death on her opponents or even her enemies.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.44,0:04:09.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Knowing full well that if they remain alive she can never return home.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.24,0:04:14.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These moments illustrate that Katniss hasn’t become completely desensitized to violence and suffering
Dialogue: 0,0:04:14.04,0:04:18.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though she’s forced to participate in a horrifically violent system.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.12,0:04:23.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That said, I do wish Collins was more consistent in writing Katniss’ responses to death.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:23.13,0:04:27.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When Rue is killed the event is written as deeply traumatic and emotional for Katniss.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.55,0:04:33.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss is not made to run off seeking revenge, but allowed to mourn in a really human way.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.22,0:04:36.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We follow along as she struggles through the process of grief.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.39,0:04:40.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She appropriately feels shock, pain, guilt and temporary depression.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.56,0:04:48.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To Collins’ credit, she writes this emotional process as a testament to Katniss’ strength as opposed to a weakness.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:48.06,0:04:53.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yet when Foxface is accidently yet tragically killed via poisonous berries, Katniss doesn’t even bat an eye.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.70,0:04:56.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She shows no emotional reaction whatsoever
Dialogue: 0,0:04:56.28,0:05:00.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,despite the fact that this young tribute from district 5, hasn’t hurt anyone during the games.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:00.66,0:05:04.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Although, Katniss doesn’t have a personal relationship with Foxface, her death
Dialogue: 0,0:05:04.63,0:05:07.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,should still be represented as tragic and upsetting.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.30,0:05:10.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It should go without saying that in reality, violence is
Dialogue: 0,0:05:10.21,0:05:14.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,traumatic and it has very real and lasting consequences for everybody involved.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.51,0:05:17.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I’m not arguing for stories to be completely free of violence,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.14,0:05:23.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but I am arguing for violence to be portrayed consistently and to reflect its emotional and physical repercussions.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:23.48,0:05:29.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a media culture that sensationalizes and glamorizes violence, it’s refreshing to see a character like Katniss,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:29.56,0:05:34.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,react to violence in a more honest and genuine way, at least most of the time.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.24,0:05:38.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I appreciate that Collins doesn’t have Katniss emerge from the arena unscathed.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:38.28,0:05:42.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She experiences serious physical and emotional consequences and by the end of the games,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:42.79,0:05:45.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,her sense of safety and trust have been shattered.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.66,0:05:51.17,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: 0,0:05:51.17,0:05:57.10,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: 0,0:05:57.10,0:06:00.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Later when the Capitol doctors are operating on Peeta,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:00.03,0:06:03.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Katniss has a panic attack, and believes for a moment she’s back in the arena.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:03.93,0:06:08.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,She imagines the medical staff as a pack of muttations attacking her friend.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.06,0:06:13.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These examples are evidence of the delusion and paranoia that Katniss understandably suffers
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.02,0:06:17.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as a result of the extreme trauma she experienced during the Hunger Games.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.40,0:06:19.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These scenes help to separate her from many of the so called
Dialogue: 0,0:06:19.95,0:06:23.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,strong female characters in popular culture who just replicate
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.20,0:06:27.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the stoic, unemotional, unaffected, macho archetype where somehow they
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.50,0:06:31.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,go through extreme violence and trauma with no visible effect at all.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.13,0:06:35.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it's refreshing that Katniss is allowed to go through a period of post traumatic stress
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.05,0:06:40.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and that the emotional experience ultimately works to make her a stronger character, rather than a weaker one.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:40.84,0:06:44.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Some people have been asking is Katniss then a feminist character?
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.01,0:06:48.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because of her compassion, empathy, cunning, resourcefulness and intelligence,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.64,0:06:53.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think she embodies many feminist values, at least over the course of the first book.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.23,0:06:56.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In my next video I'll talk about the movie in comparison to the book,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.74,0:07:00.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially in relation to its portrayal of gender and also violence.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.03,0:07:03.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whenever a novel is turned into a film, there are going to be some major differences,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:03.95,0:07:07.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I'll discuss which of those changes were successful and which were not.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:07.66,0:07:09.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So be sure to check it out.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:09.66,0:07:16.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The Hunger Games fan art I used in this video was made by these amazing illustrators.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.19,0:07:21.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you liked this video and want to see more in depth analysis of female characters in popular culture
Dialogue: 0,0:07:21.51,0:07:24.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,please support me and my work by donating today.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.14,0:07:26.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can visit feministfrequency.com/donate