Cultural Geography
Final Exam- Emily Johnson
Analysis
Unit 1
The country of Panem is split into 13 districts. Each one has their own geography that influences how the people there live ,how they act, and why the people live where they do. For example, District 1, who makes luxury items for the Capitol, has the best relationship and is the wealthiest district because they are closest to the Capitol. In District 12, they can get away with breaking the rules ( going outside the border to hunt, selling things to peace-keepers, etc.) because they are farther from the Capitol, offer the least attractive produce, and they have only won the Games once, so they are the most ignored and least liked.
The geography of the Districts and where they live also affects the jobs of the people who live there. District 4 borders an ocean, so they provide sea food for the Capitol. District 1's industry was agriculture. They are located in the southern region of Panem, providing grain and cotton for the Capitol.
Where you lived in Panem affected how you lived, performed in the Games, and viewed the rest of the country. Johanna Mason, who comes from District 7 (the lumber district), uses an ax to kill her victims. Rue comes from District 11 where her job was to climb trees to pick fruit. She is able to allude the others by hiding in the trees. Wiress and Beetee, who come from the technology district, ( District 7 ), are able to hijack the 75th Hunger Games by using their skills in wiring and technology.
The tributes and people from District 1 and 2 think of the Hunger Games as a honor and are proud to sacrifice themselves for the games. They are closest to the Capitol and are highly influenced by them. This is one of the reasons they are reluctant to join the rebellion when it begins. Meanwhile, others in farther districts see it as brutal murder an injustice.
Unit 2
The Capitol does not do well with balancing the forces of cooperation and conflict. The Capitol has all the power, and leaves all of the districts to produce its resources. This process is bound to create conflict, which it has, twice. The people of the districts revolted, and started a war called the 'Dark Times'. Afterwards, to punish the districts, they created the Hunger Games; which worked relatively well despite its gruesome nature. It was 75 years until a new revolution started, leaving the Capitol with no power, and an even amount of power spread across all the districts.
To deal with conflict priorly, they used 'peacekeepers', Panem's harsher, stricter version of police officers to keep everyone in line.
There was little to no migrating in Panem, the district you were born in was the district you lived in, unless of course you won the games and were able to travel to the Capitol. Because there was no movement, people were unable to spread their cultures to one another; everyone was very segregated from one another.
Application
Our country is run by a democracy, and we as the people have the say in who we e;etc as president and other important political figures. We also have congress to decide on important issues. I don't think we as people could possibly allow such a thing to happen in our country. And if something like that were to happen, there is no way that the American people would not revolt in one way or another.
In the Panem, the people of the districts have no way of having a say in what they want and or need. If they did have a government that would allow them to vote r use their voice, the Hunger Games would not exist.
The Hunger Games themselves are similar to ancient Rome. Gladiators would fight against one another or wild animals, as the tributes did in the games for entertainment and punishment. When Peeta and Katniss win, they have crowns based on laurel wreaths placed on their heads, also similar to ancient Rome. Or, though a little far fetched, is like the Olympics. Sponsored athletes competing against one another for glory and fame.
Transfer
In "The Hunger Games", the Capitol uses the districts for natural resources and hoards wealth to such a degree that the rest of the districts have to suffer for it (similar to the 1% and the 99% of Americans).
The non-violent protesters being attacked and killed in District 11 remind of Ferguson, Missouri. Non-violent protesters gather, the riot police stand by threateningly. In "The Hunger Games", the government regulates what is shown on TV, mostly the violent games and occasional news broadcasts; similar to North Korea. IN North Korea, the government regulates what is shown, usually false, misleading information/propaganda.
Although extremely distant from the volunteering of taking your siblings place in a game of child killing, I do recognize an aspect of my own life in "The Hunger Games". When Prim was picked at the Reaping, her sister Katniss took her place.Once when my younger brother broke my mother's vase, I said it was my fault so that he wouldn't get in trouble. Or when my brother has to do the dishes and I offer to do it for him (rarely). My old teacher used to pick one of our names out of a hat, whoever's was picked had to wither present first or answer a question. People would sometimes volunteer to take my place because they knew I didn't like presenting in front of the class, when I was younger that is.