aaaaaand we’re back! This is the second post in the series on Hunger Games. Last time I tried to look a little at what it means to pursue freedom under oppression. Recall that I tried to emphasize two related but different streams of influence in the overall plot of revolution: violence and resistance – it’ll come up again.
This time I’d like to consider another question: what is love?
It’s becomes clear very early on that Katniss’ “love” for Peeta was primarily an act in order to save their lives, but Peeta is no doubt in love with Katniss. Right away, this disparity is a problem because they need to keep the story going in order to stay alive. The simple fact is that many people saw through the “love” act and realized the berries for what they really were: a symbol of aggressive defiance.
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| “No, convince me.” |
I’m not saying the author, directors, or any of the characters thought this explicitly, but the fact is that, as an act of self-destruction, the threat of suicide cannot inspire authentic love. Such an action only generates various shades of counterfeit love: affection, obsession, attachment, utility, etc. I do wonder how an alternative story would have gone if they had merely protected each other in love? I wonder if a more effective and less destructive revolution would have occurred?
But if Katniss wasn’t actually in love with Peeta, how could her actions have conveyed love? Wouldn’t at least some people see through any display of love that wasn’t real? Well, she may not have been in love with him romantically (yet), but there is another love… one that is actually much better for fixing injustices since it is less tumultuous and unreliable – the love of authentic friendship.
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| For Example |
Friendship was the love that Rue showed for Katniss. Katniss would not have had to fake this kind of love. Authentic friendship seeks what is best for the other person, and, in extreme cases, is even willing to die for the other – this is an act of the will, a decision that does not need the same kind of emotional attachment we usually want in romantic love.
Jesus’ self-sacrificial love for us was a supernatural form of friendship and that kind of love produces some rather marvelous results.
But, what’s done is done. The story goes this way; the decision with the berries has been made, so we move forward. Katniss’ actions started a rebellion that was irretrievably violent and the path of loving, but firm resistance (a la Rue) is closed… for now. Nonetheless, good motives and authentic love are not kept out of the picture. The war has begun and it must be fought, but there can be, and in this case actually are people who can fight this without surrendering to sheer hatred.
For one thing, there are many people conspiring behind the scenes who end up making some significant sacrifices for the sake of Katniss and her value in inspiring hope (hope is good). There is also Mags, who allows herself to be killed by the fog so that Finnick can carry Peeta. On the other hand, you have Johanna who explicitly says that hatred for the Capitol is her motivation. Caught in the middle of all of this Katniss herself, who is on fire with the twin flames of hatred and love. I find that the best example of this tension of contradictory forces is summed up in this scene:
This painting reminds Katniss of Rue’s love and gives her a sense of the real evil she is fighting (oppression). Paradoxically, this love moves her to hatred. It is right to hate what is evil, but the difficulty is that (in the Christian view), we have to hate evil even as we love the people who commit it. Katniss does not do this, she immediately turns to a violent and hateful signal to Plutarch
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| Who’s next? |
The subtext should be pretty clear – Katniss’ actions lead to the death of Seneca Crane, the last Game Maker. By so forcefully recalling this, Katniss is implying that she will gladly produce the death of the new Game Maker, Plutarch. It’s hard to blame Katniss for feeling and acting this way, but is it really the right thing to do? What does the lens of this scene tell us to feel? It’s a little ambiguous. By being linked with the painting of Rue, it seems to imply it is just. Also, her sheer boldness is meant to get a rise of excitement out of the viewer. Yet, the fact that Plutarch is revealed to actually be on Katniss’ side is a good example of how hatred, even when it seems justified, can end up pitting you against the wrong people and (in other contexts) possibly even the wrong cause. Either way, be careful not to let this scene subtly influence you to think such a display is justified.
So watch out! The fires of hatred might give you warmth and light for a little while, but only the flame of love can endure. There really is so much more to talk about, but we all have lives to live, so get busy! Until next time!
–The Ephesian