COLUMN: Forget everything you think you know about the games ...or better yet, the government
'Sunrise on the Reaping,' author Suzanne Collins' prequel to the 'Hunger Games' sold more than 1.5 million copies in its first week and has earned critical praise. (Courtesy image | Scholastic)
As an avid fan of “The Hunger Games” series since fifth grade, Suzanne Collins’ latest addition “Sunrise on the Reaping” was easily my most anticipated book release since "The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” came out in 2020.
The week before it was released, I convinced my father to take an hour-long detour during his work commute to bring it to me. Immediately after, I rushed to my dorm room and prepped for a reading binge around 7 p.m.
I didn’t put the book down until 3:30 a.m.
Collins’s dystopian brilliance is unparalleled. Every chapter brought new insights into beloved characters from the original trilogy, enriching and expanding the world of Panem. And if you thought that SOTR couldn't be nearly as devastating as the originals — boy, were you wrong.
But while the latest addition to the universe was both thrilling and fulfilling, the true genius of the book lies within its message to the audience.
Collins is famous for only writing when she has something to say. So it’s no coincidence that she released a literary critique of the mechanisms of propaganda as we enter a new political era in the United States.
Over the past few months, I’ve watched as United States President Donald Trump's administration and its supporters have made misleading the public its mission. Between the president’s false promises, the administration's blatant disregard for the Constitution and direct attacks on freedom of the press, it's obvious that our political leaders are trying to change the narrative to fit their agenda.
So how does this relate to a young adult dystopian novel?
Every book in the series serves as a political allegory. The trilogy highlights a totalitarian government’s fear mongering and infatuation with violence.
The first prequel tells a story of personal and institutional corruption. “Sunrise on the Reaping” rounds out the collection by depicting just how much harm propaganda can cause to an uneducated audience.
Before you crack open the first chapter, Collins implements several quotes from famous political critics, including George Orwell, William Blake and David Hume. They set the tone of the novel, warning us from the very beginning that everything is not as it seems.
Our knowledge of the 50th Quarter Quell is minimal, as the only insight into that arena in the original series is from Katniss Everdeen's perspective.
What we come to find out is that what Katniss saw on the highlight reel was heavily distorted so that the Capitol could maintain its suffocating grasp on the districts.
I could write 1,000 words describing the many ways the Capitol twisted the truth of Haymitch Abernathy’s path to victory. But instead of spoiling the book, I encourage you to read for yourself. The novel's message is best heard from the source.
What I will say, though, is this:
Throughout his journey in the arena, Haymitch grapples with how his actions are represented to the audience. At first, he accepts his fate and makes every attempt to undermine the power of the Capitol. But as the brutality takes a toll on him, he struggles to keep the promise he made to his loved ones.
His resolve is strengthened when he reunites with his district partner, Maysilee Donner, who reminds him that he is not powerless. The allies adopt a mantra of “painting their own posters,” meaning that they will do everything they can to contradict what the Capitol is portraying them to be.
This is where I stop geeking out and get real.
In the digital age of news and media, those with an agenda can easily spread misinformation disguised as the truth. With everything that’s happening in our country right now, it is vital that we take the time to think critically about the information that is being presented to us.
As college students, we are in a unique position. We have the privilege to educate ourselves, and the power to instigate progress. As the next generation of leaders, changemakers and creators, we owe it to ourselves and those who succeed us to hold our government accountable to protecting our freedoms.
No matter your political affiliation or beliefs, I implore you to challenge the highlight reels we so often accept at face value. Do the research, dig deeper. Have the courage to paint your own posters.
And for those of you who are as scared for our collective future as I am, remember Collins’ final words of acknowledgement:
“The snow may fall, but the sun also rises.”
Cristin Coppess is a Central Michigal Life news reporter and a rising sophomore majoring in Photojournalism with a double minor in leadership and multimedia design.
