*If you wish to continue reading, keep in mind that there will be spoilers!*
At this point, the question is not, “Have you ever heard of the Hunger Games?” The question can either be, “Who hasn’t heard of the Hunger Games?” or “Who else is sick of the Hunger Games by now?” Nonetheless, there are quite a few positives to come out of the trilogy, some of which include some lovely fan art which represent the books rather well. Here are five fantastic pieces of art based on the popular trilogy by Suzanne Collins.
Photo courtesy of Tumblr user Hi hi blueberry pie
What many people forget about is that Katniss Everdeen is still a sixteen-year-old girl. While some think of her as an amazing superhero, she is a much more complex character than that. So many people are focused on the action the movies bring that they overlook the more emotional, philosophical side of the Games. Underneath her frosty exterior is the shell of a terrified teenage girl who was forced into a situation that she obviously never wanted. Katniss never wanted a revolution, romance, or fame.
Photo courtesy of rebloggy.com user tigriss92
Another thing to consider is that Katniss, Peeta, and the rest of the main characters aren’t always battling a physical force. While murder obviously plays a large part in The Hunger Games, sometimes you find yourself fighting more mental battles than ones full of weapons and bloodshed. These battles, while less popular with movie crowds and those looking for some action, are much more relatable and realistic than the rest of the battles fought in the global phenomenon.
Photo courtesy of Deviantart user: 19fox666
Of course, in many cases a whole group of people are working to defeat the forces of evil represented by one figurehead. One can obviously see from the artistic representation the sinister ways of President Snow. Throughout the books and movies, the majority of the issues stem from one man. The other fierce tributes we all love or hate cannot be considered evil when Snow has been the catalyst of every mindset and every death of the citizens of Panem.
Photo courtest of kunstnet.de user: Hobby-tribut
As a result, so many people were unnecessarily stripped of their loved ones. The Hunger Games is a solid representation of war. While it is a fictional, and at some points overly dramatic world, the author doesn’t sugarcoat any deaths. There’s no glory or victory. With war comes self-destruction and sacrifice. Finnick and Annie are perfectly illustrated in the above representation while also providing an unfortunately good example of how violence takes good people far too soon.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Carpenter
Finally, not only is this drawing absolutely impeccable in capturing the love between Katniss and Prim, but it also shows Katniss’s real motivation: family. The beautiful thing about the Hunger Games is not the violence or complex political side, but how one’s loved ones provide such a drive for each and every one of us. Without Prim, there wouldn’t have been a revolution. Snow wouldn’t have been defeated. Hundreds of children would continue to die. While we definitely see many examples of what happens once those motivational factors leave in the trilogy, it is obvious that the driving component and theme of the books is family, something perfectly represented in the artwork. So before you say the Hunger Games is ‘shallow,’ or ‘stupid,’ or ‘irredeemably sickening,’ dig for the deeper meaning.
