Authorities in Dystopian Literature - The Hunger Games

By Elias Stenersen

The book The Hunger Games is the first book in a trilogy, written by Suzanne Collins. The book is a so-called dystopian novel, which can be defined as “A fictional, socially engineered society usually presided over by a totalitarian regime” (Gamble, 2013, p.200).

In The Hunger Games, the socially engineered society is Panem. President Snow is the ruler of Panem, and his regime is exactly as you might think a totalitarian regime is. The totalitarian regime enforced by President Snow and his government is more or less a dictatorship.

As early as page seven in the book, we read that in Panem the government does not allow free speech. Katniss tells a story from when she was young and used to “blurt out about District 12, about the people who rule our country…” (Collins, 2008, p.7). Katniss goes on to explain that she stopped criticizing the regime in public, after she realized she could get in trouble if she didn’t stop.  

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Later in the book, another key aspect of dystopian literature is present. At the end of chapter one, the reasons behind the creation of the Hunger Games is revealed. The games were created to remind Panem’s citizens of the power of the regime. This yearly reminder of what Snow and his government is capable of is meant to kill all thoughts about rebellion against the authorities.

Snow and his strict regime use another very direct way to control the citizens of Panem. Peacekeepers are armed forces stationed in the Districts in order to control the masses and spread fear. Rue from District 11 tells Katniss a story about a boy who was shot for trying to keep his pair of see in the dark glasses.

The idea of authorities not allowing free speech, individual thinking and using fear to control the masses are typical features of the authorities or governments found in dystopian literature.