Two Sides of the Same Hegemony: Human, Control, Power Struggles and The Hunger Games

Abstract

As being one of the most popular contemporary young adult fiction series at the time it was published, The Hunger Games Trilogy explores crucial real-life issues within a fictional apocalyptic world. This article delves into the analysis of the book series’ various societies through the lens of Antonio Gramsci’s theory of hegemony and Jeremy Bentham’s panopticon prison, which Michel Foucault later interpreted as a tool for societal discipline. The argument presented here centres on the striking similarity in the control methods employed by the two distinct power centres in the series—Capitol and District 13—to govern the people under their rule. By utilizing the theories of hegemony and panopticon, this study scrutinizes this type of control in detail. Additionally, the article examines how both Capitol and District 13 employ media, hunger, and the Hunger Games as separate tools for control, elucidating their respective impacts on society. Despite the initial portrayal of these governmental powers as evil and good, a thorough analysis reveals that they share the same underlying motivation and methods in their quest for ultimate control over everything.